| Memberships & ballots 06:29 - Jun 19 with 15062 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
Last season I carried over 14 away points. Despite having a SB membership, all the away games I could get to (due to work/family commitments) were sold out and I found myself continually behind the curve of not quite having enough points to be able to get tickets. I know there are many like me, who always found the away games sold out just ahead of them. In the end, I only made it to one away League game despite trying to get tickets for loads more.
If the club wants to sell SB memberships, this season it just isn't a viable option for people like me - every match will go to those who were in the higher points bubbles. As most teams in the Prem only allocate 3,000 tickets, that means that if you are not in the 3,000 or so (maybe 4,000) fans with the highest points carried over form 23/24, there is simply no point in buying a SB membership. Unless that is, there is a ballot introduced.
I have no problem at all with the most loyal fans continuing to get the first 2,000 or so tickets. But thousands of fans caught in the void where they don't quite have enough points, and can't get any more points, and will be unable to get to any away games at all. Unless a portion of the tickets, maybe 500-1,000, are made available via a ballot to the other SB members.
If there is a ballot for some tickets at each game, then it becomes worthwhile purchasing SB memberships again. If they don't, there is no point for anyone who doesn't fall into the top 4,000 of SB points holders (guessing this is 20+ points, maybe 25) in purchasing a membership. |  |
| |  |
| Memberships & ballots on 10:31 - Jun 19 with 3148 views | SitfcB |
| Memberships & ballots on 09:10 - Jun 19 by ParisBlue |
So you didn't manage to go to Boro, Blackburn, Preston, Rotherham, Bristol City, Reading, Cardiff, Sheff Weds all of which went to general sale. Personnal circumstances might not have worked in your favour, but there were matches where nobody was excluded
With available home tickets being few this season there will be thousands unable to attend Portman Road who have been for years. I dont see season ticket holders agreeing to relinquish their tickets to join a ballot to help out. [Post edited 19 Jun 2024 9:24]
|
Leicester made it to general sale as well and that was a 3,000 allocation like most will be this season.
Sunderland made it to general also. |  |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 10:33 - Jun 19 with 3135 views | SitfcB |
| Memberships & ballots on 09:28 - Jun 19 by FrimleyBlue |
no one should get priority tbh, it's an away game. You don't purchase an away season ticket, therefore imo all away tickets should be for general sale. Upset people for sure, but it's fair to all. |
Yep do that but do shop sales only!  | |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 10:50 - Jun 19 with 3103 views | GavTWTD |
I wasn't aware of the SB membership so when I did try and get tickets later on I was a bit confused as to why I didn't have any points. I did think it a bit of a con but I'll be buying one ahead of the season. Assuming there isn't a limit... |  |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 11:56 - Jun 19 with 3029 views | ITFC_Forever |
| Memberships & ballots on 10:18 - Jun 19 by Herbivore |
I can't imagine the numbers of fans in the higher brackets will be as high as some think they are. Most away allocations last season were significantly smaller than the 3k we'll be getting as standard in the Prem so not many fans will have made all away games last season.
It's a tricky one, my view is that fans who have been loyal should be rewarded and should have priority. There's a question over what loyalty looks like I guess, is it someone who was going to 5 away games a year even during the dark days of Lambert or someone who didn't do away games until last season when they racked up 15? The club is rewarding the latter but I get why, there's only so far you can go back in time to reward loyalty.
Personally, as I've said elsewhere, I'd like to see something like 10 or 20% of the allocation going to a members' ballot, perhaps alongside the ability to request priority for one or two fixtures a year. That leaves 2400 or 2700 tickets for the most loyal away fans who go to most away games whilst leaving a decent number for those who want to go to some away games but can't commit to going to them all. Otherwise, as has been mentioned, having a membership becomes pointless and away games risk becoming a completely closed shop. It's not like the points system isn't open to abuse either, there will be people with 20+ points who may have gone to very few games themselves but have bought tickets for mates, for example. |
If 10% / 20% go to ballot, the next in line in the points queue will be peed off.
Whatever the answer is, it will upset some. |  |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 12:00 - Jun 19 with 3010 views | Herbivore |
| Memberships & ballots on 11:56 - Jun 19 by ITFC_Forever |
If 10% / 20% go to ballot, the next in line in the points queue will be peed off.
Whatever the answer is, it will upset some. |
But for an allocation of 2700 it's likely to get to those with 15+ points anyway so even more occasional away attenders won't be relying solely on the ballot. Those in the ballot will be occasional day trippers. No system is going to be perfect by I think 10-20% via ballot or a combination of a ballot/preference scheme with the vast majority going by points is the best option. |  |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 12:09 - Jun 19 with 2972 views | LankHenners |
| Memberships & ballots on 11:56 - Jun 19 by ITFC_Forever |
If 10% / 20% go to ballot, the next in line in the points queue will be peed off.
Whatever the answer is, it will upset some. |
It's like when they first brought in the memberships - the club essentially have to answer an impossible question of 'what is fair?'
A ballot will inevitably end up in 'my mate/dad/son/wife etc. got in but I didn't and we always go together' complaints but think it's the fairest way really.
The people who do go up and down the country for pretty much every game (and like to tell everyone that they do!) will be absolutely fine whatever tweaks to the system are made. As you say the people most at 'danger' of missing out are the ones towards the edge of the normal cut off point but think in that case you've just got to try and get to some early aways to build the points up a bit.
The club should always be trying their best to get new/younger fans engaged and accessibility to away games is part of that - given the demand the only solution to deal with the issue is to open a ballot system. [Post edited 19 Jun 2024 12:09]
|  |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 12:14 - Jun 19 with 2944 views | SheffordBlue |
Interesting looking at membership schemes, priority points etc across the Prem clubs. Most don't do a ballot although a few do. Some prioritise season ticket holder members before non-season ticket holder members. Some offer an international fan membership. Some seem to have a provision for 18-25s to encourage new fans.
Most seem to follow the 'one year rolling' points accrual system as a far as I could see. This does seem to limit but not entirely prevent a closed shop.
Really difficult one to manage to meet all needs and no scheme will appear fair to all. |  |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 12:14 - Jun 19 with 2939 views | USA |
| Memberships & ballots on 10:26 - Jun 19 by SitfcB |
Where’s that happened?  |
Nice deflection, we both know what was posted yesterday.
You can’t be all high and mighty about it when you’re part of the problem being caused. | |
| |
Login to get fewer ads
| Memberships & ballots on 12:25 - Jun 19 with 2911 views | sjg |
Most of the people I see complaining about this' complaints are effectively 'I didn't go to any games in League 1, so I didn't have any points in the Championship to do games like Norwich and Watford, although when games got to general sale they were too far away so I didn't go. But now, I can make it to places like Manchester and Liverpool because we're playing bigger teams, so I want a ticket!!!!!!!'
The only people that got screwed over by the new system were those who did a load of away games in 22-23 but didn't have a gold card so had no points at the start of last season. Everyone else can get in the queue for tickets. | | | |
| Memberships & ballots on 12:38 - Jun 19 with 2861 views | SitfcB |
| Memberships & ballots on 12:14 - Jun 19 by USA |
Nice deflection, we both know what was posted yesterday.
You can’t be all high and mighty about it when you’re part of the problem being caused. |
Have a big fat 
| |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 12:41 - Jun 19 with 2845 views | SaleAway |
As everyone else has said, there's no right answer to this..... there's got to be a reward for the die hards who go everywhere, and prioritise ITFC over everything else. BUt similarly, you don't want to exclude new fans from ever being able to get involved. I'd probably agree with the 10/20% ballot idea.... although as someone with a SB membership who only got to 4 games last year, that probably puts me in the bracket that might suffer because of that.
I live in Manchester, I go to those games I can get to , but I don't focus my life around it, so I treat it as a bonus when I can go. Last year I think I got to every match that I tried to, but then I didn't ever consider Norwich, or any of London games, that are very popular.
Hoping to be able to get to City game....but I won't be complaining if I don't have enough priority. | |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:40 - Jun 19 with 2761 views | textbackup |
| Memberships & ballots on 10:50 - Jun 19 by GavTWTD |
I wasn't aware of the SB membership so when I did try and get tickets later on I was a bit confused as to why I didn't have any points. I did think it a bit of a con but I'll be buying one ahead of the season. Assuming there isn't a limit... |
You part run the biggest ITFC forum, but wasn’t aware of the SB membership scheme? |  |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:44 - Jun 19 with 2743 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Memberships & ballots on 06:53 - Jun 19 by textbackup |
So we are bad people for attending an absolute fck load of games, even if we couldn’t afford it at times, and couldn’t really justify being there by missing family events or booking AL that we really didn’t have enough of…
Those are the things that get me.
People seem to think ‘oh they’ve done loads of away games they have loads of money and spare time’
No we fcking don’t, we’ve made sacrifices, prioritised ITFC way too often.
So yes, we should have priority over those that have opted to not use their AL, or haven’t stretched themselves financially. |
Whilst I do understand your position, not every one of you with those points has gone through such hardship. And the fact that you've got to those games means that hardship and those sacrifices were ones you could actually make. Some simply couldn't.
I wouldn't want you to miss out on a ticket given the circumstances you describe. But equally I don't want a closed shop where it becomes increasingly impossible to get on the ladder at all. There needs to be a bit of compromise. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:51 - Jun 19 with 2706 views | DinDjarin |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:44 - Jun 19 by The_Flashing_Smile |
Whilst I do understand your position, not every one of you with those points has gone through such hardship. And the fact that you've got to those games means that hardship and those sacrifices were ones you could actually make. Some simply couldn't.
I wouldn't want you to miss out on a ticket given the circumstances you describe. But equally I don't want a closed shop where it becomes increasingly impossible to get on the ladder at all. There needs to be a bit of compromise. |
If they do a ballot for new fans then that could be open to abuse for non Town fans to get tickets.
Loads of Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham, Spurs, ManU with Suffolk postcodes. [Post edited 20 Jun 2024 11:24]
|  | | |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:53 - Jun 19 with 2690 views | peterleeblue |
So for clarity for home games does getting a membership give me a chance of a ballot for home tickets. Would like to think I could at least make a home game or 1 when visiting the area next season.
I'll blag my way into Newcastle somehow. Probably home end!! |  | | |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:59 - Jun 19 with 2667 views | portmanking |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:51 - Jun 19 by DinDjarin |
If they do a ballot for new fans then that could be open to abuse for non Town fans to get tickets.
Loads of Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham, Spurs, ManU with Suffolk postcodes. [Post edited 20 Jun 2024 11:24]
|
The ballot would surely only go to existing/long-serving club members below a set points total (10?) That's how you get around this issue. I feel like a broken record but no-one is saying the 30-40+ points die-hards aren't deserving of a ticket. But there should be a level for those members who are in points purgatory of sub-10, but have an active recent history. | | | |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:00 - Jun 19 with 2662 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Memberships & ballots on 12:25 - Jun 19 by sjg |
Most of the people I see complaining about this' complaints are effectively 'I didn't go to any games in League 1, so I didn't have any points in the Championship to do games like Norwich and Watford, although when games got to general sale they were too far away so I didn't go. But now, I can make it to places like Manchester and Liverpool because we're playing bigger teams, so I want a ticket!!!!!!!'
The only people that got screwed over by the new system were those who did a load of away games in 22-23 but didn't have a gold card so had no points at the start of last season. Everyone else can get in the queue for tickets. |
All of that first paragraph is in your own head. No evidence for any of that. A straw man. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:04 - Jun 19 with 2651 views | Herbivore |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:51 - Jun 19 by DinDjarin |
If they do a ballot for new fans then that could be open to abuse for non Town fans to get tickets.
Loads of Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham, Spurs, ManU with Suffolk postcodes. [Post edited 20 Jun 2024 11:24]
|
Although those fans would have to buy membership at £40 and then cross their fingers that they get lucky in the ballot for some of the most high demand games of the season. Not sure that should be a major consideration to be honest. | |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:04 - Jun 19 with 2650 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Memberships & ballots on 13:51 - Jun 19 by DinDjarin |
If they do a ballot for new fans then that could be open to abuse for non Town fans to get tickets.
Loads of Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham, Spurs, ManU with Suffolk postcodes. [Post edited 20 Jun 2024 11:24]
|
No I wouldn't agree with a ballot for completely new fans. It would need to be for season ticket or membership holders, or people with a record of historical ITFC purchases. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:05 - Jun 19 with 2643 views | Jon_456 |
Whilst I do feel sorry for those that can’t get to the games they want, I am struggling to understand how you couldn’t get to many away games last year if you started with 14 points.
I didn’t have a GC in the League one season so despite going to 8 away games, I started the Champ season with the token 5 points for having a SB membership. I was still able to go to 13 away games: QPR, Sheff Wed, Southampton, Huddersfield, Rotherham, Middlesbrough, Leeds, Stoke, Leicester, PNE, Millwall, Blackburn & Coventry.
The only ones I couldn’t get tickets for were Birmingham, WBA & Norwich. | | | |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:23 - Jun 19 with 2596 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
Hang on a sec, I think I've got the answer for those unhappy with a ballot. What about if there were other ways to get the points than just away match ticket purchases?
Purchase a new shirt - 10 points.
Be a TownTV subscriber - 2 points.
Programme? Certainly sir, have an extra half a point.
ITFC toaster that toasts a horse onto your bread - 5 points.
TWTD up-arrows - 1 point per 1000.
etc.
This way it encourages merch sales, discourages touts/non-Town fans AND stops the points system being a closed shop. [Post edited 19 Jun 2024 14:24]
| |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
| |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:28 - Jun 19 with 2583 views | lizzibee |
| Memberships & ballots on 06:53 - Jun 19 by textbackup |
So we are bad people for attending an absolute fck load of games, even if we couldn’t afford it at times, and couldn’t really justify being there by missing family events or booking AL that we really didn’t have enough of…
Those are the things that get me.
People seem to think ‘oh they’ve done loads of away games they have loads of money and spare time’
No we fcking don’t, we’ve made sacrifices, prioritised ITFC way too often.
So yes, we should have priority over those that have opted to not use their AL, or haven’t stretched themselves financially. |
I am definitely one who isn't minted and had to really scrape to afford tickets for the boy and I over the last two seasons. I went without holidays and going out/takeaways so he could have those memories. Not helped by being made redundant and becoming single which made money even tighter. But I made those choices. The lad also suffered from many ailments (mainly migraines) over the season on weekdays and unfortunately missed several days of school which he had to catch up in his own time (I'm sure the school really knew he wasn't ill).
So, just agreeing that peopkle who went to the games are not necessarily minted - just change their personal priorities and make sacrifices | | | |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:33 - Jun 19 with 2542 views | lizzibee |
| Memberships & ballots on 09:10 - Jun 19 by ParisBlue |
So you didn't manage to go to Boro, Blackburn, Preston, Rotherham, Bristol City, Reading, Cardiff, Sheff Weds all of which went to general sale. Personnal circumstances might not have worked in your favour, but there were matches where nobody was excluded
With available home tickets being few this season there will be thousands unable to attend Portman Road who have been for years. I dont see season ticket holders agreeing to relinquish their tickets to join a ballot to help out. [Post edited 19 Jun 2024 9:24]
|
And Roverham...
Exactly this. Whilst accepting there are genuine reasons and people who could not, there are also a large number who chose not to for whatever reason over the last couple of seasons and now we are top league they want the chance to visit some of the big grounds.
Yes, I am selfish I'll happily admit but why should those 'newbies' (for want of a better word) have priority over anyone with any points? Those wiht even five should have priority over those with zero in my mind
But appreciate this is just my view and of course suits my personal circumstance | | | |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:34 - Jun 19 with 2536 views | lizzibee |
| Memberships & ballots on 09:49 - Jun 19 by DinDjarin |
All away tickets are capped at 30 quid |
think of poor Leeds' finances if they ever go up and can't charge their usual rip off £47 an away ticket | | | |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:41 - Jun 19 with 2498 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Memberships & ballots on 14:28 - Jun 19 by lizzibee |
I am definitely one who isn't minted and had to really scrape to afford tickets for the boy and I over the last two seasons. I went without holidays and going out/takeaways so he could have those memories. Not helped by being made redundant and becoming single which made money even tighter. But I made those choices. The lad also suffered from many ailments (mainly migraines) over the season on weekdays and unfortunately missed several days of school which he had to catch up in his own time (I'm sure the school really knew he wasn't ill).
So, just agreeing that peopkle who went to the games are not necessarily minted - just change their personal priorities and make sacrifices |
You said before you went without food to get tickets. Now you've changed that to "takeaways". A bit different!
I won't comment on taking your child out of school for football matches, I'm not a parent so I'll let others decide what they think about that. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
