| Away tickets next season 11:01 - Jun 18 with 23612 views | MidlandBlue25 |
Seen some people suggest it should be a ballot system for away tickets next season. What’s everyone’s thoughts?
I think that’s a bit unfair on the fans who have made the long trips to unfavourable destinations over the years. |  | | |  |
| Away tickets next season on 21:17 - Jun 19 with 1823 views | J2BLUE |
| Away tickets next season on 13:03 - Jun 19 by sjg |
Because it's easier to get a train up north from London than it is from Ipswich.
Loyal: 'giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution'
Key word constant
And by asking for a ballot to get a ticket before someone with more points than you, you are trying to skip the queue. Simple |
Where does that queue start? Is someone who started going when McKenna was here in front of people who sat through years of dross knowing there was no hope of promotion?
This is a golden opportunity to cement the next generation of young fans. Can't there be a few hundred tickets to help the future of the club or do you just want to pull the ladder up and make sure you are ok? |  |
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| Away tickets next season on 23:54 - Jun 19 with 1711 views | lizzibee |
| Away tickets next season on 17:48 - Jun 19 by Vegtablue |
Relatable truth for many? I've averaged 5 away games per season since maybe 10 years old, save for a period when I lived outside the country. I used to be very jealous of friends who were taken to more than this and in adulthood I've continued to be jealous of the hardcore, even moreso over the past couple of seasons.
The reason I don't average more than I do is guilt, in a nutshell. My personal circumstances mean that going to the football is a self-indulgent exercise, financially and time-wise. Maybe I went wrong in finding a partner who doesn't share my passion. And probably I'm an outlier in the amount of immediate family I have who live alone, without social networks to really speak of. The end result anyway is I feel selfish for fitting in as much football as I do now, and I wouldn't be targeting most of the blockbuster away games next season even if I had full access to tickets.
My personal experience knowing hardcore fans is they do it because of what following Town gives to them: the enormous social component, belonging, football endorphins and so on. They love going and hate not being able to. The biggest sacrifice tends to arrive when something prevents them from getting to a game, rather than the other way around. I don't doubt there exists a group for whom going is genuinely a sacrifice, i.e. they turn up out of loyalty alone, even though they really wanted to be somewhere else. I haven't honestly met someone in this group, though. Those I know who went to even the bleakest games in the bleakest times would still have found it emotionally difficult to have been denied entry.
I don't mean to judge anybody, to be clear. Whether someone believes they are putting the club above themselves in always going, loved ones in front of themselves in not always going, or themselves first in always or sometimes going, we're all entitled to our own life outlook. I believe there's a reasonable debate to be had around who 'deserves' to attend next season and how much, though, even if the club isn't so interested. It isn't obvious to me that the person who went to every game last season now deserves to go to every game next season, and the person who goes to a smaller number of away games every season now deserves to go to none. It wouldn't be unfair, it may be argued, if bumper demand affected all pre-existing groups proportionally (those who went to 100% are reduced to 90%, 30% reduced to 20%, etc. or equiv.).
Lastly, we have an obvious issue with membership abuse. I don't criticise many of those doing it. It's nice to be able to help your friends and even moreso if it benefits you personally too. The end result is people artificially inflating their own numbers, which keeps them ahead and prevents others from catching up, building their own scores, or accessing tickets they should have been able to. Textbackup has made several posts on this thread and is undeniably a very regular attendee. He also bought for Norwich when he couldn't attend himself; he'll be aiding Sitters or another for Man City away in August. I don't mean to single him out, I just remember reading the posts. How many of those in the high categories won't be trying to protect their position in this way? It's normal behaviour and most know Town fans who would be delighted to receive an occasional or semi-regular leg-up. So no hate towards the player, but maybe we need to tweak the game accordingly (random ID checks, punishment if discovered..). Alternatively, a decent chunk for the ballot system at least prevents an artificially closed shop. |
The abuse is an issue which needs clamping down on as it's not fair, but it's difficult to do that. | | | |
| Just go and support your local team…. on 23:56 - Jun 19 with 1705 views | lizzibee |
| Just go and support your local team…. on 20:03 - Jun 19 by Herbivore |
Needlessly having a pop at someone you know won't see your post and can't respond? How's being kind working out for you? |
In fairness how is it working for you? Some of your posts and votes aren't particularly pleasant. | | | |
| Just go and support your local team…. on 00:19 - Jun 20 with 1658 views | lizzibee |
| Just go and support your local team…. on 23:56 - Jun 19 by lizzibee |
In fairness how is it working for you? Some of your posts and votes aren't particularly pleasant. |
You actually are a really unpleasant person (and your chums) | | | |
| Away tickets next season on 08:18 - Jun 20 with 1543 views | IPSWICHFANITFC |
For me it's simple.
The points system works and it enables those who go week in week out to be rewarded with first priority to get a ticket.
That said, with away allocation's now being 3,000 (except Bournemouth and Brentford), I do think retaining 10% for a ballot is fair. How that is managed to make it so person A and person B enters a ballot for all the 19 away games, but person A was successful for 9 of those games and person B only successful for 2 of those games is how I'd be more interested in knowing how the club get the balance right. |  |
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| A general observation on 08:43 - Jun 20 with 1499 views | Dyland |
I don’t want to go to away games because you lot are all total twonks x |  |
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| Away tickets next season on 08:47 - Jun 20 with 1486 views | Herbivore |
| Away tickets next season on 08:18 - Jun 20 by IPSWICHFANITFC |
For me it's simple.
The points system works and it enables those who go week in week out to be rewarded with first priority to get a ticket.
That said, with away allocation's now being 3,000 (except Bournemouth and Brentford), I do think retaining 10% for a ballot is fair. How that is managed to make it so person A and person B enters a ballot for all the 19 away games, but person A was successful for 9 of those games and person B only successful for 2 of those games is how I'd be more interested in knowing how the club get the balance right. |
If there are large numbers of fans in the ballot then you have a system whereby those who are successful in the ballot for one match are then not entered into the next ballot, increasing the chances of others getting tickets. The fans who win in that ballot then miss the next one, and so on. Possible exceptions for last game of the season and if there is a preference system then that would override a ballot you would otherwise miss. |  |
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| Away tickets next season on 08:54 - Jun 20 with 1475 views | IPSWICHFANITFC |
| Away tickets next season on 08:47 - Jun 20 by Herbivore |
If there are large numbers of fans in the ballot then you have a system whereby those who are successful in the ballot for one match are then not entered into the next ballot, increasing the chances of others getting tickets. The fans who win in that ballot then miss the next one, and so on. Possible exceptions for last game of the season and if there is a preference system then that would override a ballot you would otherwise miss. |
Yeah I agree with what you're saying, that would be the fairest way to do the ballot.
No one can have any complaints. I think the only rule that should be in place for the ballot is that you already had an existing customer number prior to X date (I was thinking prior to the 23/24 season but I'm not sure how fair that would be). Otherwise, you'll find people create new accounts who have never been to a game before chancing their luck in an open ballot. | |
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| Away tickets next season on 09:04 - Jun 20 with 1453 views | Herbivore |
| Away tickets next season on 08:54 - Jun 20 by IPSWICHFANITFC |
Yeah I agree with what you're saying, that would be the fairest way to do the ballot.
No one can have any complaints. I think the only rule that should be in place for the ballot is that you already had an existing customer number prior to X date (I was thinking prior to the 23/24 season but I'm not sure how fair that would be). Otherwise, you'll find people create new accounts who have never been to a game before chancing their luck in an open ballot. |
The problem with that, from the club's point of view, is it means we can't attract any new fans to the club. If you've not followed Town but want to now, there has to be some incentive such as the ability to see a game. I get that as fans we don't want people rocking up now we're in the Prem and taking tickets away from long term fans, but the club needs to grow its fanbase and will want to attract new fans. There's ways around it, such as weighting the ballot so those with points from last season have a greater chance of winning than new members (e.g. existing members get two ballot entries per ballot, new members only one), but I'm not sure the club would want to essentially freeze memberships to be only for those who already have them. Commercially that makes no sense. | |
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| Away tickets next season on 09:25 - Jun 20 with 1412 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Away tickets next season on 09:04 - Jun 20 by Herbivore |
The problem with that, from the club's point of view, is it means we can't attract any new fans to the club. If you've not followed Town but want to now, there has to be some incentive such as the ability to see a game. I get that as fans we don't want people rocking up now we're in the Prem and taking tickets away from long term fans, but the club needs to grow its fanbase and will want to attract new fans. There's ways around it, such as weighting the ballot so those with points from last season have a greater chance of winning than new members (e.g. existing members get two ballot entries per ballot, new members only one), but I'm not sure the club would want to essentially freeze memberships to be only for those who already have them. Commercially that makes no sense. |
This, I believe, is where my points-when-buying-merch system helps. Prove you at least have some affinity to the club (buying a scarf, a mug, a shirt) to get points that go towards match tickets. Build it up that way.
As a kid I had an Ipswich shirt, mug, scarf, pendant and mirror long before I ever set foot in Ipswich. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Away tickets next season on 09:29 - Jun 20 with 1406 views | GCmissyou |
| Away tickets next season on 09:04 - Jun 20 by Herbivore |
The problem with that, from the club's point of view, is it means we can't attract any new fans to the club. If you've not followed Town but want to now, there has to be some incentive such as the ability to see a game. I get that as fans we don't want people rocking up now we're in the Prem and taking tickets away from long term fans, but the club needs to grow its fanbase and will want to attract new fans. There's ways around it, such as weighting the ballot so those with points from last season have a greater chance of winning than new members (e.g. existing members get two ballot entries per ballot, new members only one), but I'm not sure the club would want to essentially freeze memberships to be only for those who already have them. Commercially that makes no sense. |
The points system works simple as that. It's a que if you come out of a que you go to the back. No ballot system needed or should be put in place. So many whining. Every prem club has a points system can't see the problem. | | | |
| Away tickets next season on 09:47 - Jun 20 with 1382 views | DinDjarin |
| Away tickets next season on 09:04 - Jun 20 by Herbivore |
The problem with that, from the club's point of view, is it means we can't attract any new fans to the club. If you've not followed Town but want to now, there has to be some incentive such as the ability to see a game. I get that as fans we don't want people rocking up now we're in the Prem and taking tickets away from long term fans, but the club needs to grow its fanbase and will want to attract new fans. There's ways around it, such as weighting the ballot so those with points from last season have a greater chance of winning than new members (e.g. existing members get two ballot entries per ballot, new members only one), but I'm not sure the club would want to essentially freeze memberships to be only for those who already have them. Commercially that makes no sense. |
Being selfish and having been to 80% of away matches over the last 5 seasons I do not think it would be fair for me to have to hope I get selected in a ballot to be able to get an away match ticket. |  | | |
| Away tickets next season on 10:10 - Jun 20 with 1340 views | Herbivore |
| Away tickets next season on 09:47 - Jun 20 by DinDjarin |
Being selfish and having been to 80% of away matches over the last 5 seasons I do not think it would be fair for me to have to hope I get selected in a ballot to be able to get an away match ticket. |
I haven't suggested that all tickets go to a ballot, just a percentage (probably 10-20%). If you've been to 80% of our away games you'll have enough points to buy a ticket and not have to worry about being in a ballot. | |
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| Away tickets next season on 12:15 - Jun 20 with 1262 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Away tickets next season on 09:29 - Jun 20 by GCmissyou |
The points system works simple as that. It's a que if you come out of a que you go to the back. No ballot system needed or should be put in place. So many whining. Every prem club has a points system can't see the problem. |
Try reading the thread (and thinking of others rather than just yourself).
It's not difficult to grasp that some people have been loyal for decades not just the last 2 years.
It's not difficult to grasp that the club needs to attract young support to sustain its future.
And allowing other people to experience the joy/glory is simply the right thing to do, if you're a decent person, rather than the same people hoarding it all for themselves. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| Away tickets next season on 14:02 - Jun 20 with 1202 views | Vegtablue |
| Away tickets next season on 09:29 - Jun 20 by GCmissyou |
The points system works simple as that. It's a que if you come out of a que you go to the back. No ballot system needed or should be put in place. So many whining. Every prem club has a points system can't see the problem. |
If you fail to squeeze inside the first 2400, let's be honest, you didn't buy a lot of away tickets from the club last season. Our league average was 2422. Who misses the cut for claiming one of these 2422 seats, if we sort all fans by points total? It isn't the SB member who went to 15+ last year. Anyone who (officially) went to 12, you are mathematically certain to fall inside the first 2422. Nobody who attended 10+ is outside this imaginary red line. We have too many members below 10 and above 15 for that to have occurred.
A 20% ballot on 3000 allocations (15 or 16 of the 19 grounds, dependent on when Craven Cottage fully reopens) is 600 tickets. Those who would be squeezed, realistically, are the members who went to 5-9 games last season. It's my group. I wouldn't mind it personally, as I don't believe anybody on single figures should expect access to every decent away ground next year. I also don't want to join the rat race of buying for others all the time or touting, which means I probably wouldn't be 'protected' for very long anyway. I really hope home tickets don't become points only either, as that doesn't feel fair on non-ST holders and is even more ripe for abuse. | | | |
| Away tickets next season on 14:09 - Jun 20 with 1188 views | exeterblue10 |
| Away tickets next season on 11:37 - Jun 18 by lizzibee |
Absolutely fine as it is - we put the hard graft in at horrid places (Accrington, Morecambe etc) and silly times (Plymouth and Exeter away) so I feel its right we are rewarded |
In the Venn diagram of horrid places and silly times, Plymouth is the intersection. | | | |
| Away tickets next season on 14:35 - Jun 20 with 1144 views | itfcjoe |
I'd say something like 70% to top points holders (bearing in mind I finished season with 40 this is where I am) and 30% to others.
The problem the club has is they will still want to hawk these memberships out at £40 a pop, but if people have 5-10 points and aren't going to get to any games they won't bother spending it
Important it doesn't become a totally closed shop, although something like 1500 of each 3000 allocation will be the same old faces |  |
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| Away tickets next season on 14:48 - Jun 20 with 1109 views | itfcjoe |
| Away tickets next season on 13:00 - Jun 19 by Danny_G |
I’m in exactly that position. Used to go to every away game (literally - I had an Ultimate Membership), have two young children and have had to cut back as a result.
And you know what my attitude is? That was my choice. No one forced me to have children so, if others get above me in the priority queue, so be it. I still have a reasonable number of points because I’ve literally prioritised Ipswich above all other social activities for the last few years. I’m not saying anyone else should or shouldn’t do that - what people choose to do with their lives is up to them - but the opportunities to go were there last season, with numerous matches getting to low points levels or even general sale. You could get to ten points just by buying membership for a couple of years.
I’ll never get up to the level of attendance I used to be at, but what’s the alternative? Give me long-term loyalty points that just reward me for being old? Completely unworkable and unfair on young people who had no chance to go until recently. |
I tend to agree, whilst still thinking a ballot is fair for a percentage of the tickets.
People live away don't realise that there is an alternative to pushing your career on and relocating etc by sacrificing that to be closer to Ipswich and go to the football. Some will think that is sad, pathetic, or whatever but this is literally what the people at the top of the priority list have done and continue to do so.
I've always done a lot of away games, now have a couple of kids so do less but still do every one I possibly can and it puts me in a position where I am likely ok for every game this season - but I've had to make massive compromises with wife, family, career, etc to enable me to be in that position.
A lot of people laugh at people being super fans, and when people say they are bigger fans of the club than they are - but it is the case. I know I commit so much to ITFC as a fan - but I also know of plenty who commit much more than me who are better fans than I can be - it's just how it is. Any one who moans about people claiming to be a bigger fan than they are knows that it is the case and just doesn't want to admit it | |
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