Statement from fan groups ahead of new season

[There is a Light]

I really don’t know why you keep targeting me. Of course there could have been more than one incident involving fans and potential violence in Germany.

I extend my offer to you to meet and chat through the issues in a civil way. I haven’t targeted you in any way and I don’t know which group you are affiliated to. Foodbank, Trade Union Blues, 1894, OSC etc.

Purely for info. When there was even more hostility on this forum several years ago and fans were being persuaded to give up their season cards, you may recall that I was one of the few people who asked Blues not to be rash and said they could miss out on the best years in our history. People always associate me for sticking up for the OSC when it really is minority groups whether it be flexi-gold users, supporters club members, tired season card holders etc.

Btw last time round the aggression stopped because top Blues realised it had gone too far. I met with the main aggressor and issues were resolved

I don’t know why you keep targeting the Foodbank guys on X but you still do so

 

[East Level 2]

What I do know is this.

If City keep on alienating their season ticket holders as they are continuing to do, they will have more than 8000 new seats to fill in the future.

Which is what I've been saying since they announced the stadium extension and new ST transfer rules.
The reduction in match-day prices may help, but the new ST transfer restrictions could upset enough that they (or their friends) won't want to take advantage of additional tickets being available. - And I for one don't believe there are sufficient tourists and part-timers to take up the slack. This might sound negative but games would sell out more than a few days before the fixture if the demand was there.
The reduced prices will help even though they're still not cheap, but the requirements for memberships etc might put off many lapsed fans.

 

[BertM19]

I’m going to leave it there. I gave you three opportunities.

FWIW, I spent a couple of hours last night and an hours this morning helping Blues who I’ve never met sort their ticketing problems. Yes City shouldn’t have a flawed system. I didn’t ask for or receive a penny for this. I don’t want anything.

I have got no qualms with you or the other poster having a pop at me. It’s water of a ducks back. I’m guessing you and the light guy have done more for fellow Blues you’ve never met.

Why are you being like this? I never had a pop at you, it was my post to someone else you jumped on, you started casting aspersions on who I am, brought up hate on other threads I'm not even aware of, you've accused me of being aggressive, you've now asked to meet me in person three times which is strange and frankly threatening behaviour to do on an online forum, and I've never brought into question what you do or don't do for fellow Blues.

Please don't try and take some sort of moral high ground here when all I've wanted to do was talk about the club's business practices towards fans.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

Why are you being like this? I never had a pop at you, it was my post to someone else you jumped on, you started casting aspersions on who I am, brought up hate on other threads I'm not even aware of, you've accused me of being aggressive, you've now asked to meet me in person three times which is strange and frankly threatening behaviour to do on an online forum, and I've never brought into question what you do or don't do for fellow Blues.

Please don't try and take some sort of moral high ground here when all I've wanted to do was talk about the club's business practices towards fans.

Threatening lol. I will be quite happy if I never meet you in my life. I made the offer to meet and you reject it. Fair dos. Anyway, let’s hope for 3 points today and get behind the lads

 

[BertM19]

Threatening lol. I will be quite happy if I never meet you in my life. I made the offer to meet and you reject it. Fair dos. Anyway, let’s hope for 3 points today and get behind the lads

Yes pal it is a bit threatening to push to meet someone off an online forum that you're in disagreement with.

Why would I want to meet a person I don't know who has accused me of being someone else, of being aggressive, and having ulterior motives?

Not exactly an "opportunity" is it.

Obviously we all want to support the team. Getting behind the lads is never in question.

 

[carlosthejackal]

Take a chill pill , off into town for a pre match beer , I accept that the only thing the club is interested in is money and they would get rid of me in the blink of an eye for higher revenue.
It is what it is .

 

[Tim of the Oak]

Take a chill pill , off into town for a pre match beer , I accept that the only thing the club is interested in is money and they would get rid of me in the blink of an eye for higher revenue.
It is what it is .

Spot on mate. I will be queueing up outside Croft for 10am opening as my train is a bit early.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

Which is what I've been saying since they announced the stadium extension and new ST transfer rules.
The reduction in match-day prices may help, but the new ST transfer restrictions could upset enough that they (or their friends) won't want to take advantage of additional tickets being available. - And I for one don't believe there are sufficient tourists and part-timers to take up the slack. This might sound negative but games would sell out more than a few days before the fixture if the demand was there.
The reduced prices will help even though they're still not cheap, but the requirements for memberships etc might put off many lapsed fans.

A couple of years ago Ged, we had loads of families saying they couldn’t get seats together for love nor money. We don’t hear they much these days and have passed our peak in terms of success on the pitch and the Haaland / Grealish affect that was so enticing to many youngsters.

Hopefully, we can get things right in future off and on the pitch and we will get raucous 60k crowds

 

[rickmcfc]

Only just caught up on this thread. Complete and utter madness designed to squeeze every last penny from the average working man. We (family and friends) have around 10 people in a group and law of average, there is usually always one of the 10 season tickets which are unused due to other commitments, therefore the ticket is available to give to someone else and ensure there is a person in the seat and get the benefit of attending the game.

With the new rules this is impossible, with penalties for none attendance and a small window to officially stop the ticket back to the club.

Football as we know it has gone, and yet another reason why the longstanding fan is resulting to a dodgy box at home to experience the games.

 

[jrb]

Only just caught up on this thread. Complete and utter madness designed to squeeze every last penny from the average working man. We (family and friends) have around 10 people in a group and law of average, there is usually always one of the 10 season tickets which are unused due to other commitments, therefore the ticket is available to give to someone else and ensure there is a person in the seat and get the benefit of attending the game.

With the new rules this is impossible, with penalties for none attendance and a small window to officially stop the ticket back to the club.

Football as we know it has gone, and yet another reason why the longstanding fan is resulting to a dodgy box at home to experience the games.

Email that to Khaldoon, Soriano, and Danny Wilson.

Even though they are very intelligent business and football men, they might just understand that? Or more likely ignore it.

 

[jrb]

I tell you what is a worry.

Even with the ticket price reductions, a win at Wolves last week, and the first home game of the season, there are still a lot of visible empty seats scattered around the ground, with a new 8000 capacity NSL2 tier to fill.

What else is noticable is the tourist and football fan drop off around the ground and inside the stadium.

We're at the start of the season, and in August, what is it going to be like in January when it's cold and wet, and City might not be challenging for the title, with the new NSL2 tier opening in February or March, 2026?

The directors really need to rethink this new season ticket restriction policy. If they don't, and when the new tier is open, there could be hundreds, if not thousands of empty seats around the Etihad.

The directors also need to consider an amnesty for fans who have served their 3 year bans, or have attended club behavior courses, and they should be given their season tickets back, if they want them back?

From now on it's all about filling a 62,000 capacity Etihad.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I tell you what is a worry.

Even with the ticket price reductions, a win at Wolves last week, and the first home game of the season, there are still a lot of visible empty seats scattered around the ground, with a new 8000 capacity NSL2 tier to fill.

What else is noticable is the tourist and football fan drop off around the ground and inside the stadium.

We're at the start of the season, and in August, what is it going to be like in January when it's cold and wet, and City might not be challenging for the title, with the new NSL2 tier opening in February or March, 2026?

The directors really need to rethink this new season ticket restriction policy. If they don't, and when the new tier is open, there could be hundreds, if not thousands of empty seats around the Etihad.

The directors also need to consider an amnesty for fans who have served their 3 year bans, or have attended club behavior courses, and they should be given their season tickets back, if they want them back?

From now on it's all about filling a 62,000 capacity Etihad.

We just need reasonable ticket prices. The problem is so many fans, who we relied on have dropped off. Once the tourists and plastics stop going whos there to replace them?

once you stop going you lose the habit prettt easily. I’m struggling to see how we are going to consistently sell out the new tier

 

[Blue Maverick]

I tell you what is a worry.

Even with the ticket price reductions, a win at Wolves last week, and the first home game of the season, there are still a lot of visible empty seats scattered around the ground, with a new 8000 capacity NSL2 tier to fill.

What else is noticable is the tourist and football fan drop off around the ground and inside the stadium.

We're at the start of the season, and in August, what is it going to be like in January when it's cold and wet, and City might not be challenging for the title, with the new NSL2 tier opening in February or March, 2026?

The directors really need to rethink this new season ticket restriction policy. If they don't, and when the new tier is open, there could be hundreds, if not thousands of empty seats around the Etihad.

The directors also need to consider an amnesty for fans who have served their 3 year bans, or have attended club behavior courses, and they should be given their season tickets back, if they want them back?

From now on it's all about filling a 62,000 capacity Etihad.

I agree but also it’s still summer holidays, lots of people away, but guess what they can’t give them to their mates and City are charging £70 a ticket, so there will be plenty and it’s only going to get worse, remember it’s only season ticket holders who can do cup schemes, so the less there are the less the take up will be, if I wasn’t in them I doubt I’d make the effort when it’s pissing down in winter, I’ll watch on tv, but as I’ve paid I’ll probably go or put them back to City, going off today we will have less day trippers as we become less successful, we don’t have 20/30 years behind us like the rags and scousers and youngsters are fickle these days, they’ll move on.

 

[ysmsa]

What is N F C?

Near Field Communiction

The thing in your phone the turnstile scanner now reads to let you in.

 

[Blue Smarties]

I tell you what is a worry.

Even with the ticket price reductions, a win at Wolves last week, and the first home game of the season, there are still a lot of visible empty seats scattered around the ground, with a new 8000 capacity NSL2 tier to fill.

What else is noticable is the tourist and football fan drop off around the ground and inside the stadium.

We're at the start of the season, and in August, what is it going to be like in January when it's cold and wet, and City might not be challenging for the title, with the new NSL2 tier opening in February or March, 2026?

The directors really need to rethink this new season ticket restriction policy. If they don't, and when the new tier is open, there could be hundreds, if not thousands of empty seats around the Etihad.

The directors also need to consider an amnesty for fans who have served their 3 year bans, or have attended club behavior courses, and they should be given their season tickets back, if they want them back?

From now on it's all about filling a 62,000 capacity Etihad.

Whilst I agree: policy, we have the same comments about empty seats every August. People are on holiday (although tbf, the policy doesn't help with those shifting their tickets).

 

[ysmsa]

I have 2 adult season tickets for me and my 40 year old daughter and 2 junior season tickets which I share between 4 grandkids I'm not fucking about anymore if they start penalising me I'm calling it a day at 64 it's getting silly all these rules and regulations

I believe you are over thinking it mate.

No one will ever question which of your Grandkids are attending.

You must have some arrangements in place already for the S/T's because I don’t expect any of the kids have a S/ T assigned to their own phone.

I don’t think you or your family will be affected in the slightest tbh

 

[ysmsa]

Mate of mine has downloaded both of his and his daughter’s tickets to his phone

Rang the club asked if it’s ok?

This is the truth-
The lad on the phone said it’s fine, but will you ring us the morning of each game if someone else other than your daughter is coming to the match and tell us who is using it !!!!

Ye of course I’ve got a couple of hours spare to hang on the phone !
What planet are these people on!!

Ticking boxes for security but honestly, a sensible person would just ignore that advice.

Pretty much every ticket you buy for anything says non transferable on it.
No one gives a shit and they are transfered, resold with no issues at all.

 

[Quinny851]

I tell you what is a worry.

Even with the ticket price reductions, a win at Wolves last week, and the first home game of the season, there are still a lot of visible empty seats scattered around the ground, with a new 8000 capacity NSL2 tier to fill.

What else is noticable is the tourist and football fan drop off around the ground and inside the stadium.

We're at the start of the season, and in August, what is it going to be like in January when it's cold and wet, and City might not be challenging for the title, with the new NSL2 tier opening in February or March, 2026?

The directors really need to rethink this new season ticket restriction policy. If they don't, and when the new tier is open, there could be hundreds, if not thousands of empty seats around the Etihad.

The directors also need to consider an amnesty for fans who have served their 3 year bans, or have attended club behavior courses, and they should be given their season tickets back, if they want them back?

From now on it's all about filling a 62,000 capacity Etihad.

I don't think they'll be too concerned about it tbh. They'll know that some games there will be empty seats just like there will be some games where they'll have the opportunity to fleece the fuck out of people.

The club have systematically thought through these ideas and I highly doubt that they've not considered empty seats.

 

[Dodge]

The directors also need to consider an amnesty for fans who have served their 3 year bans, or have attended club behavior courses, and they should be given their season tickets back, if they want them back?

Not a chance mate, if anything the Club will be even more draconian and bans will be handed around like confetti. I believe there are currently 200 Blues banned. It took nearly 3 months for them to consider my case, due to the unprecedented amount of cases before the sanction panel, as confirmed to me by a member of City's stadium security team (who were sympathetic to my case).

I was very confident that my temporary ban would overturned and I'd be back for todays game. With respect to fellow banned supporters, nobody could have presented any better mitigation than I did to the sanction panel. Good enough to defeat The Mets 3 year FBO application, but NOT good enough for City.

3 year ban, seasoncard forfeited, fuck off and don't darken our door ever again.

The systematic SC grab has gone to DEFCON 1.

 

[Kippax1973]

I could do with some help fellow blues,,
My lad a season ticket holder of over 20 years now,, myself 42,,,,anyway he is in the armed forces, he is been based in irak for the next 3-4 months,, now he has explained this to the club via a phone call.
The outcome,,,,,, well there is no dispensation for you, you should transfer your ticket to someone else, ok but who, everyone he knows either is a season ticket holder or just goes to the odd game.
Who can I reech out to because he is very upset at the way the club is treating him now, and who can blame him.
Any help would be greatly appreciated,, many thanks blues x

P.s,,,im not sure if this is the right place to post