| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. 18:18 - Dec 3 with 6820 views | homer_123 |
I'll be honest - I don't like it, it doesn't sit well with me.
I know others may think we have bigger issues to contend with (with recent performances) but thought I'd share.
What is it, to be a football fan in 2025?
There’s now a clear message to long-standing season ticket holders: if you don’t turn up, or you don’t re-sell your seat, you could lose your ticket. Even if you’ve held it for years. Even if you stuck with the club when the football was awful and the stands were half empty.
Now, on one level, I get it.
There’s a big waiting list. The club wants a full stadium. They want noise, atmosphere, energy and more people want a chance to experience that, I understand that. But, let's be honest, the club want matchday income too. Food, drink, merch, programmes, all of it and empty seats don’t spend money.
But...
When you start saying to fans, “Use it or lose it,” it feels less like you’re talking to people, and more like you’re managing stock. It’s the point where, as a supporter, we stop being a person in that seat and start being a data point in a CRM system. A line on a spreadsheet that needs to be 'optimised'. Hearing Ashton in that video - it's the first time I've felt like this - no longer the fan I was to the club a couple of years ago. It's irked me, more than I initially realised.
All football clubs talk a lot about fans as the 'lifeblood' of the club. They use that language in campaigns, in videos, in season ticket renewals. But these new rules around non-attendance send a different message, at least for me. They say:
We need you here, not just because we love your support,
but because every empty seat is lost revenue.
There’s a real tension here.
On the one hand, the club does need to be sustainable. Wages, transfers, stadium costs; they’ve all gone through the roof (factor in the long overdue investment as well). TV deals, sponsors and commercial partners are all part of the mix now. Clubs are not just football teams, they’re big businesses. To survive, they have to think about money.
I understand that football has been a 'business' for a while now but the whole reason the club has any value at all is because of the people who care about it. The ones who travel in the rain. The ones who miss family events for midweek fixtures. The ones who held their season ticket through years when it would have been easier to walk away.
So what happens when those people are treated first and foremost as revenue?
What happens when loyalty is measured not in years followed, but in how often your barcode gets scanned?
I’m not saying there’s an easy answer. I’m not saying the club is evil, or that nothing should change. We all knew that new and modern ownership and Premier League money would bring new rules and a sharper edge to the business side. I guess, this one small thing, for me, is that wedge - that first subtle sign of substantive change.
But I think it’s fair to name the dilemma:
- The club needs bums on seats
- The fans don’t want to feel like bums on a spreadsheet
Somewhere in there is a line. A point where sensible policy tips into something that feels cold and transactional.
My worry is that, if we’re not careful, we cross that line without really noticing. We look up one day and realise that fans are no longer seen as the heart of the club, but as inventory to be managed. Maybe I am naïve and we are already there but since Gamechanger came in, I had felt more connected to the club than ever, it got back that community feel, that it valued fans and the support generated. It felt like the club it once was both on and off the pitch.
So, can a club chase every pound, fill every seat, and still treat its supporters as more than numbers?
Because once fans stop feeling like the lifeblood, it won’t matter how good the spreadsheets look. |  |
| |  |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 23:10 - Dec 3 with 660 views | N2_Blue |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 23:07 - Dec 3 by Funge |
I mean, I'm repeating myself here - but what I do with my ticket, and how I choose to follow this stupid bloody team, is, bluntly, absolutely none of your business.
I am absolutely bugg3red if I am going to justify my whereabouts, be it once or frequently, to some bored 20-year old kid on minimum wage in the Constantine Rd portakabin.
Perhaps the club could start applying penalties for fans who turn up late, or leave early, or who don't sing loudly enough, or bring Fruit Pastilles in from outside. Call it dynamic support banding, or some such boll0cks.
Three strikes, and you have to give your home ticket vs Preston to Mark Ashton's wife's Pilates instructor.
I'm watching a game of football in IP1, on a Tuesday or Saturday, likely between 2 pretty bad teams, and, likely, will leave fairly dissatisfied, as, indeed, I have done for the most of the last 3 decades. Or I won't.
It is that simple. [Post edited 3 Dec 23:10]
|
Whatever
Thought you were a pretty decent chap, but tone of your post is a bit ridiculous really
Its a pretty selfish outlook as well to be honest. |  |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 23:21 - Dec 3 with 640 views | Funge |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 23:10 - Dec 3 by N2_Blue |
Whatever
Thought you were a pretty decent chap, but tone of your post is a bit ridiculous really
Its a pretty selfish outlook as well to be honest. |
Yeah, I'm an absolute b@stard, me.
Drawing emotive conclusions about random name on an Div 2 internet football forum arguably ridiculous also, but, 'whatever'.
Selfish? You've got no idea what I do with my ticket. Because (one more time), It's absolutely fck all to do with you. |  | | |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 23:27 - Dec 3 with 619 views | N2_Blue |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 23:21 - Dec 3 by Funge |
Yeah, I'm an absolute b@stard, me.
Drawing emotive conclusions about random name on an Div 2 internet football forum arguably ridiculous also, but, 'whatever'.
Selfish? You've got no idea what I do with my ticket. Because (one more time), It's absolutely fck all to do with you. |
Have I ever asked what you do with your ticket? Do i give a crap what you do with your ticket, no? Is it anything to do with me, no. I never said it did.
But anyone geting themselves in a tizzy about this from the club needs to apply a bit of common sense and rationale. | |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 00:14 - Dec 4 with 580 views | Ryorry |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 20:59 - Dec 3 by Nthsuffolkblue |
Unless I misunderstand it, the sanction is for those who neither use their ticket nor sell it back to be used by someone else. If someone has a long-term condition preventing them from attending, why wouldn't they pass their ticket on to someone they know or sell it back to be used? |
By long-term I meant chronic or episodic illnesses or disabilities. Eg you might have Crohns disease & be fine on a Friday evening but ill & unable to go the next day.
Or (theoretical example) might be diagnosed a couple of months into the season with cancer & not know when your next treatment or feeling out of it days might be. (edit: sorry Southnorfolkblue, hadn't seen your p2 post when I first wrote this post. All the best to you 👍 ).
Not being a s/t holder, I wasn't aware of the resale option, so that's fair enough - IF there's sufficient time to offer to friends/rellies, or resell. [Post edited 4 Dec 0:33]
|  |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 02:26 - Dec 4 with 533 views | Kropotkin123 |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 18:25 - Dec 3 by Ryorry |
Not a s/t holder & wasn't aware that was happening. Can see the owners' point of view, but would be appalled if it meant those with STs who might be experiencing long term health problems or family crises of some kind, had their STs taken off them. |
You can use the resale feature to avoid season tickets been taken away. I think it is reasonable. |  |
| Submit your 1-24 league prediction here -https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/514096/page:1 - for the opportunity to get a free Ipswich top. | | Poll: | Would you rather | | Blog: | Round Four: Eagle |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 05:19 - Dec 4 with 504 views | Olcol |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 18:33 - Dec 3 by J2BLUE |
To me this is a real fans first initiative. If you're holding a seat waiting to see if we get back to the Prem before going again then you deserve to lose it. |
There is no guarantee that any of the 6000 new season ticket holders would turn up for every game either. |  | | |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 07:38 - Dec 4 with 468 views | southnorfolkblue |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 22:48 - Dec 3 by N2_Blue |
Probably because they didn't think people would freak out.
If you think the club are going to risk losing a ST holder who has followed the club through thick and thin, through the years of having less than 15k then i think you are reading too much into it.
the club needs its ST holders, and especially those that follow the club when tickets are hard to shift. This if anything is to encourage people to to use the two sytems the club has recently put in place, resale platform and the ST ticket forwarding facility.
They are very unlikely to ever act on it apart from servere cases such as someone mentioned here, such as a ST seat being empty every game over 2 years.
It has at least 3 advantages, more revenue for the club, more casual fans can go and most likely a better atmosphere generated.
Anyone who struggles with this probably thrives on the negativity that seems to surround the club on and off the pitch currently. |
You are probably right mate. I’m reading too much into it. My brain probably isnt in the right place to act rationally at the minute 😂😂 | |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 07:50 - Dec 4 with 450 views | Bluemike31 |
Such a bloody mountain out of a molehill, I can't go, I give it to a relative or friend, that simple, job done, move on ffs. | | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:18 - Dec 4 with 412 views | chicoazul |
Wow the Ashton Bootlicker Platoon are out in force here. Defending their man and his coffee cup to the nth degree.
Fungers and Opie are absolutely right. It’s your ticket, do what you want. How I loathe modern football. Our short stay in the Prem has murdered so many minds. |  |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:28 - Dec 4 with 396 views | PhilsAngels |
Filled seats does not necessarily equate to noise and support.
A full stadium does not equate to noise, atmosphere, energy.
Filled seats does not equate to additional income.
Some season ticket holders spend no money on game days | | | |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:41 - Dec 4 with 369 views | itfcjoe |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 20:03 - Dec 3 by Swansea_Blue |
There’s a lot to like and aspire to in the OP Homer. Yes, we’re a commodity and that’s the way football has gone the world over. Fans who attend games are less important than overseas ‘markets’, for example. That just mirrors modern finance-driven life where people are just seen as economic units and not people. So yeah, it would be nice to get back to valuing people other than solely for the income they can produce. I won’t hold my breath.
On the other hand, who buys a ST and then doesn’t go to matches? That’s very odd behaviour. Fair enough if someone has a short-term medical issue and can’t go for a couple of months or gets posted overseas for work for a few months. A one-off like that is understandable, but consistently taking up a seat but leaving it empty (never mind wasting money) is just bizarre. [Post edited 3 Dec 20:09]
|
I still go with my Dad, so my wife and kids go separately - my youngest is probably still a bit young, and doesn't always want to go, and night games on schooldays just don't work.
With the systems in place now, I can upgrade his ticket for my Father in Law to go if he wants to, but think it is good to have that little kick to say if you aren't going sort it out with something like the resale platform which is very easy to use.
They've put everything in place for people to easily pass on ticket and get some money back, so if people continually don't show up and don't relist it then they need to be told that it isn't right/fair
The cost comparison for a ST vs buying on the day became so heavily weighted towards ST holders a few years ago - had plenty of mates who lived/worked in London and missed every night game and it was still cheaper than buying the 14-15/23 games they went to on the gate. That's fine, but ST holders would be foolish to ever give them up now, so club needs to ensure that fans don't miss out for them to be left empty |  |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:54 - Dec 4 with 335 views | tractorboy1978 |
If you can't go then give the ticket to friends/family or sell it via the resale platform. It is really simple and don't see how you can really argue with it or find any grievance? | | | |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:54 - Dec 4 with 333 views | Ryorry |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 02:26 - Dec 4 by Kropotkin123 |
You can use the resale feature to avoid season tickets been taken away. I think it is reasonable. |
The point is, I didn’t know that. Nor did many others more directly affected apparently, because the details of when and how it would be put into effect has been very poorly, if at all, communicated to them by the Club. | |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:56 - Dec 4 with 326 views | itfcjoe |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:54 - Dec 4 by Ryorry |
The point is, I didn’t know that. Nor did many others more directly affected apparently, because the details of when and how it would be put into effect has been very poorly, if at all, communicated to them by the Club. |
It's been communicated well and heavily by the club, any ST not aware of it will have had to ignore countless emails and letters and info in their ST pack, or the part in the video where it is mentioned, or the follow up articles by TWTD and EADT about the potential new policy. | |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:00 - Dec 4 with 322 views | RIPbobby |
I raised a similar point elsewhere a while back and said the club must hate me as I just come to the ground for the football. No Bovril, no hot dog, no beer, just football. This kind of makes sense why they made Portman Road card payment only. They can see how much you spend here and they want more.
I did seriously consider not renewing my season ticket this year as the cost of living is really tough right now. But my love of football won through... Just. I'm not sure I would renew next year. It has been a tough season so far. Take away all our long shot goals and we have really struggled.
Positives about the training ground apparently. Do we need all the things being installed? I'm not sure. When I played football all you needed was some grass and a size 5 ball and that's it.
The video about Portman Road really did emphasize that the club want corporate money, which I understand. But what happens when the small man like me leaves? Yes in the top flight that is not a problem. But are we sustainable as an average championship team on big wages.
I would not consider extending Portman Road stadium at all In the near future. |  | | |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:02 - Dec 4 with 312 views | thebooks |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 18:23 - Dec 3 by Joey_Joe_Joe_Junior |
If you look at our attendance trends for while, its completely fair to release a no show policy to ST holders if it's getting to 5+ games a year or something. Simple as that really. |
I dunno. My son and I both got season tickets in the Championship relegation season. We sat through many seasons of rubbish.
He went to uni in the Champ promotion season. He can't get to all home games, but he comes back for what he can. I think he should get to keep a season ticket, even if he only makes 5-10 games: you couldn't a truer, more committed fan. |  | | |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:12 - Dec 4 with 297 views | Funge |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 22:19 - Dec 3 by bluelagos |
The repeated justifying of the corporate investment, by inferring that we needed the revenue to aid investment in the team struck me.
Footie is a business, but that line of thinking is exactly what is drawing a dividing line in so many supporter bases. The push for occasional visitors, where day trippers essentially spend a whole lot more (club shop visit) than regulars is well established. The push for fans to upgrade for the "corporate experience" was clear.
In one respect it's just an additional option for ST holders bit there's a fine line between maximising income and turning the whole experience into a sanitised w@nkfest for prawn sandwich eating bell ends.
On a personal level I have twice engaged the club in 2 very important issues, both of which he didn't even respond. A request for the club to follow many others and add its support for a Hillsborough Law and an observation over the lack of a stretcher for a collapsed fan who I saw carried away in what can only be described as a blanket.
Neither of those issues were even deemed worthy of a response. Tells me the club doesn't give a sh1t for.ordinary fans and nothing I've seen or heard since tells that feeling is wrong.
It is what it is. Modern life where football is long gone as the sport of the people. Ashton is exactly what modern football is, a bland coffee mug holding guy who's read up on team leadership books. His smug Brentesque role play is what it is, modern leadership I.guess.
Thankfully am well out of the corporate world now so it's for other poor sods to conform to that bollox. But given the clubs disregard on the 2 issues I mention I'll not be joining in the cheerleading.
You keep running towards adversity Mark, just a shame you never actually had the courage to engage on the issues I mention. I mean, someone's got to think of the corporate facilties eh. |
Didn't clock this earlier - sorry man.
Little to add, other than an over-riding agreement with your sentiments.
'Running Towards Adversity', indeed. | | | |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:18 - Dec 4 with 274 views | Garv |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 22:39 - Dec 3 by The_Romford_Blue |
It’s pi**ed me off as well in truth bud.
I tend to get 2 Saturdays off a month. While every effort is made to get those Saturdays for town home games, I’ve a missus and a family etc and inevitably will miss games. At times I haven’t known I’ll miss the game until 1-3 days before and have had no luck with the resale situation.
Am I going to be punished for that? Are they going to be ringing me up telling me I’m losing my season ticket or 10+ years for that? Feels grossly unfair. Maybe I’m wrong. They needed me back in 2017 when there was about 9,000 of us at the Derby home midweek fixture. My attendance was important then. Now I’m potentially going to lose my ticket because they think I’m harvesting my ticket in wait for the premier league next year? Boll0x. |
Assuming you put the ticket up for sale of the resale platform, you'd be fine. They're not going to punish you simply because the ticket didn't sell. |  |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:19 - Dec 4 with 271 views | southnorfolkblue |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:56 - Dec 4 by itfcjoe |
It's been communicated well and heavily by the club, any ST not aware of it will have had to ignore countless emails and letters and info in their ST pack, or the part in the video where it is mentioned, or the follow up articles by TWTD and EADT about the potential new policy. |
But you talk about a potential policy. That's not a policy. That's no different to Rachel Reeves talking about what's coming up in the budget 😉.
You're probably more in the know on this but is there a cut off for the platform? If I wake up feeling shit and can put my ticket on the resale platform at 11am on the morning of the game without fear of punishment if it doesn’t get bought, then that seems fair enough to me. | |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:21 - Dec 4 with 266 views | Garv |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 22:39 - Dec 3 by southnorfolkblue |
Isnt that on the way it’s communicated then?
Perhaps MA should have kept quiet on this until he was ready to make a full announcement. Would save a lot of unnecessary speculation.
FWIW I fully support the resale platform’s objectives |
If people speculate wildly and jump to conclusions, that's not Ashton's fault. | |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:25 - Dec 4 with 246 views | southnorfolkblue |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:21 - Dec 4 by Garv |
If people speculate wildly and jump to conclusions, that's not Ashton's fault. |
Don't you think he should anticipate that people might speculate? Personally I think he should consult with fan groups (which may have happened tbf) and then just announce the policy for next season | |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:28 - Dec 4 with 239 views | Garv |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:25 - Dec 4 by southnorfolkblue |
Don't you think he should anticipate that people might speculate? Personally I think he should consult with fan groups (which may have happened tbf) and then just announce the policy for next season |
Then inevitably people (not fan groups) will say there was no warning.
There will always be something for people to complain about. | |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 09:47 - Dec 4 with 204 views | MattinLondon |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 23:07 - Dec 3 by Funge |
I mean, I'm repeating myself here - but what I do with my ticket, and how I choose to follow this stupid bloody team, is, bluntly, absolutely none of your business.
I am absolutely bugg3red if I am going to justify my whereabouts, be it once or frequently, to some bored 20-year old kid on minimum wage in the Constantine Rd portakabin.
Perhaps the club could start applying penalties for fans who turn up late, or leave early, or who don't sing loudly enough, or bring Fruit Pastilles in from outside. Call it dynamic support banding, or some such boll0cks.
Three strikes, and you have to give your home ticket vs Preston to Mark Ashton's wife's Pilates instructor.
I'm watching a game of football in IP1, on a Tuesday or Saturday, likely between 2 pretty bad teams, and, likely, will leave fairly dissatisfied, as, indeed, I have done for the most of the last 3 decades. Or I won't.
It is that simple. [Post edited 3 Dec 23:10]
|
If the club puts it in the T&Cs that a ST holder must put the ticket up for resale if they cannot attend then you will have to do it.
It is their business as the ST belongs to them, it’s not your property. You won’t have to justify your whereabouts you simply have to put the ticket up for resale.
If someone has a last minute appointment etc which means that resale isn’t realistic then a one-off will not be noticed. If it happens frequently simply tell the club - they aren’t robots and will probably understand. |  | | |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 10:03 - Dec 4 with 171 views | GlasgowBlue |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 19:53 - Dec 3 by Funge |
Winds me up, frankly.
I buy a ticket from the club, as I have done for many years - what I then subsequently decide to do with that ticket is no-one's business but mine.
Whether I go to the game, pass the ticket onto a mate, or throw it off Stoke Bridge into the tidal mud - that's no-one's business but mine.
Ashton has seen Jim Radcliffe do it, and so therefore it must be of value.
I am watching a fcking game of Division 2 football in the same crappy home-town I've lived in for the last 35 years - guess what, if the team are doing well, everyone will want to go, and you will get an atmosphere, Mark.
If they aren't doing so well, people won't want to go, and in a couple of years time, you will need to Pack Out Portman Rd again.
With regards to the OP, 'So what happens when those people are treated first and foremost as revenue?'
Simply, people will start to get p1ssed off. It's p1ssed me off (what's new....) [Post edited 3 Dec 19:54]
|
Although I initially had some understanding for Ashton’s argument, you put over a very good counter argument. |  |
| |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 10:20 - Dec 4 with 141 views | Bluemike31 |
| Something has been bothering me, since the Club released the latest video. on 08:18 - Dec 4 by chicoazul |
Wow the Ashton Bootlicker Platoon are out in force here. Defending their man and his coffee cup to the nth degree.
Fungers and Opie are absolutely right. It’s your ticket, do what you want. How I loathe modern football. Our short stay in the Prem has murdered so many minds. |
It certainly Murdered McKenna's. | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
