| Guardian piece on football season tickets 14:55 - Sep 23 with 2457 views | Steve_M |
And the clear dislike of them that the big clubs have:
https://www.theguardian.com/fo
It's a difficult balance, especially after rarer success as we've seen at ITFC. Almost right up to the Exeter match in 2023 it was possible to get a ticket for almost any match at PR with a bit of effort - and now it's not.
And that's just an extended, geographically dispersed fanbase without the tourist fans that Liverpool or Manchester United bring in. |  |
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| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 18:20 - Sep 23 with 624 views | J2BLUE |
I think it's far enough that there is a maximum resale limit.
Season ticket holders should absolutely retain the current perks though and I would like to see some sort of legal minimum introduced to protect ST holders. 75% of the home attendance capacity going to ST holders seems very reasonable. |  | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 20:48 - Sep 23 with 527 views | backwaywhen |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 15:09 - Sep 23 by DarkBrandon |
It is a fair article, and as a non season-ticket holder I do think the balance should be equalised.
Season ticket holders get the best seats in the house at a discount, whereas I pay £45 merely for the right to scrabble around for the remaining seats when they do go on sale, and then pay full price for the ticket. |
While that in itself is harsh on yourself and others season ticket holders , the majority anyway deserve the right to keep their seat for making the commitment to the club for their longevity and not just cherry picking games that appeal throughout the season .
The smart ones quickly realised where the club was heading under this ownership and McKenna, so jumped on board quickly, leaving those on the outside to pay the price .
Life sucks I guess. |  | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 20:49 - Sep 23 with 529 views | flykickingbybgunn |
I understand the frustration of those that want to see a game and having to pay more money to sit anywhere they can get.
But I also can see the point of ST holders who pay for a seat even if they cant get there. It is a committment. Sometimes over many many years.
The club is a victim of it's own success. But it seems it has plans to address this problem.
However I am old enough to remember the building of the Portman/Cobbold and the Pioneer/West stands. Both cost us a team. Ironically it is only now that they are really paying that investment back. |  | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 21:48 - Sep 23 with 483 views | Blue_Order |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 15:51 - Sep 23 by hype313 |
My prediction is that within the next 3/4 years one big club will do away with ST and then others will follow suit.
It will be dynamic pricing etc |
Yep, it’s coming, and the more success we have, the more likely it is here. Another thing that fans around the country should be getting organised and protesting about before it’s too late.
Forming or joining a fan group is in my opinion the only chance we have of halting things like this. Be like the Germans - get active and organised! |  | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 22:47 - Sep 23 with 433 views | football |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 15:26 - Sep 23 by The_Flashing_Smile |
Don't want to be rude, but many of us have had those ST seats for decades (more than 30 years in my case). I dread to think how much I've spent on Ipswich, and a fair chunk of that was during very lean times when the football was carp and the stadium was barely half full or worse. I wouldn't say I have one of the "best seats in the house" but there were plenty to choose from when I got mine.
So overall, I'm not sure why you think the balance should be equalised and we shouldn't have those privileges you don't enjoy. I understand people have various reasons for not having a season ticket (weren't born and work commitments being very good ones!) But other than that, it seems fairly fair. And with demand outstripping supply, I'm not sure what an alternative could be. |
My view also. Season ticket for years, through good and bad times, and spent a fortune. What is the best seat? - that is dependent upon person choice. I love my seat but its one of the cheaper ones
Its right we have the privileges in my opinion | | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 22:53 - Sep 23 with 417 views | football |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 15:53 - Sep 23 by DarkBrandon |
I’m well aware my views are unpopular but my view is your season tickets in those years gave you entrance to those matches.
I had a season ticket for around a decade. I paid for entrance to those seasons.
I don’t think it should entitle you to discounted tickets in perpetuity. When the demand exceeds supply you can make a good case that season ticket holders should pay a supplement.
I also think season tickets should only entitle you to (say) 17 of the 19 home matches, allowing other more casual fans to attend more frequently.
As the article states the current arrangement makes it very hard for the next generation of fans to attend matches, as there as so few tickets available for them.
Anyway, none of this will happen, I’m sure, so I don’t think season tickets should holders have much to worry about (although their discount might reduce) [Post edited 23 Sep 15:57]
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oh my lord! you want us to pay a supplement - why? Bonkers
As for reducing the games I can go to so someone who hasn't had a ticket is a silly suggestion and won't happen | | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 22:57 - Sep 23 with 414 views | football |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 16:44 - Sep 23 by The_Flashing_Smile |
So you think a season ticket holder like myself who's had the same seat for 30 odd years should give it up for a couple of games now that we're in the Prem for someone who wants to go just because we're playing big clubs (not saying that's you, just making the point that it could work out like that)?
I'm obviously biased but I can't for the life of me see how that's right. Yes, if you've kept going (and kept the club going) by continuously paying out for a ST through years of dross, that should entitle you to keep that seat versus someone who didn't. And the discount isn't for years of service anyway, it's because you're committing to a certain amount that the club can plan around. |
I'd suggest those games are Man City and Arsenal also rather than Hull, Fulham or Cov, just to appease the daytrippers. | | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 23:14 - Sep 23 with 396 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 20:48 - Sep 23 by backwaywhen |
While that in itself is harsh on yourself and others season ticket holders , the majority anyway deserve the right to keep their seat for making the commitment to the club for their longevity and not just cherry picking games that appeal throughout the season .
The smart ones quickly realised where the club was heading under this ownership and McKenna, so jumped on board quickly, leaving those on the outside to pay the price .
Life sucks I guess. |
That's a perfectly logical argument. You could also argue those who do the away games regularly but don't have season tickets are at least as worthy. Maybe more so as they're putting the miles in to support the team where support is most needed. So what happens to them if they want to make a trip to Portman Road? Is their commitment and longevity not worth anything? Or when it comes to longevity, where does someone who's supported the club through many decades compare against someone who's only had a ticket for a few years?
It's not quite as simple as it's often made out. |  |
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| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 23:17 - Sep 23 with 392 views | ZapatasMoustache |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 23:14 - Sep 23 by Swansea_Blue |
That's a perfectly logical argument. You could also argue those who do the away games regularly but don't have season tickets are at least as worthy. Maybe more so as they're putting the miles in to support the team where support is most needed. So what happens to them if they want to make a trip to Portman Road? Is their commitment and longevity not worth anything? Or when it comes to longevity, where does someone who's supported the club through many decades compare against someone who's only had a ticket for a few years?
It's not quite as simple as it's often made out. |
Bang on - it's very complex and it needs a well-thought-through solution |  | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 01:27 - Sep 24 with 353 views | flykickingbybgunn |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 23:17 - Sep 23 by ZapatasMoustache |
Bang on - it's very complex and it needs a well-thought-through solution |
No.it just needs more seats.
But be aware, knock down the Cobbold to add say 4000 at say £500 a pop a year is only going to raise £2m per season.
For the club it would be decades before they broke even. | | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 05:20 - Sep 24 with 307 views | Churchman |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 15:26 - Sep 23 by The_Flashing_Smile |
Don't want to be rude, but many of us have had those ST seats for decades (more than 30 years in my case). I dread to think how much I've spent on Ipswich, and a fair chunk of that was during very lean times when the football was carp and the stadium was barely half full or worse. I wouldn't say I have one of the "best seats in the house" but there were plenty to choose from when I got mine.
So overall, I'm not sure why you think the balance should be equalised and we shouldn't have those privileges you don't enjoy. I understand people have various reasons for not having a season ticket (weren't born and work commitments being very good ones!) But other than that, it seems fairly fair. And with demand outstripping supply, I'm not sure what an alternative could be. |
I’m a bit of a lightweight compared to you! And many others. I’ve had a season ticket for 26 seasons since the ground went all seater in 1992. Before that I stood (my preference) in Churchmans or NS. At a rough guess 7 or 8 of those seasons have been ok or better, much of the rest, dross. I went to football with my dad. A social thing. We’d done it for years.
The ST was bought in 92 to guarantee getting in. In his later years it was that and with my father’s reducing mobility his desire for a ‘permanent’ seat. He was unable to appreciate the clubs revival or witness the past few years, but when it came to it, the fact that we were cr@p especially during the Duncan and Evans period didn’t stop us. It was part of us, good and bad.
I still have a ST. And one of the best viewing points in the ground too. Entitlement doesn’t come into it, but to an extent loyalty should. I commit to the club money to use that seat for the season and for that, the club guarantee its use at a discount along with priority for cup games. I make a commitment (as we did when we were sht) and the club reciprocates. Why this is good for the club is in the article. I agree with you - I don’t see see why ‘the balance should be equalised’.
For a club like ITFC, it needs to be careful. It’s not going to attract tourist support like the big clubs. It’s just not that sort of football club. The answer lies in increasing the capacity to say 40k (the number I’ve heard mentioned). No more than that - I’ve been there when 10k was a decent crowd. While demand may not fall that low again, it’s only 10 years since the rubbish served up drove crowds down to the 16k mark. And given what I saw, they were lucky to get that.
Resale is the other answer. The system last season works well. Encourage people to use it. I would add a ‘donate’ option too. I’d have no problem when I can’t attend with somebody less fortunate than me using my seat for a nominal admin fee. But it should be controlled through the club. Anything that gets people to see live sport and build the club’s support base is good by me.
Just thoughts [Post edited 24 Sep 5:22]
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| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 06:52 - Sep 24 with 263 views | peterleeblue |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 18:20 - Sep 23 by J2BLUE |
I think it's far enough that there is a maximum resale limit.
Season ticket holders should absolutely retain the current perks though and I would like to see some sort of legal minimum introduced to protect ST holders. 75% of the home attendance capacity going to ST holders seems very reasonable. |
Unfortunately owing to living 270 miles from Portman Road I don't have a horse in this race. I am one of those living of scraps via a membership scheme that for me probably seems like a waste of money (I guess at least I am lending some support).
However, I think a serious consideration is the ever changing kick of times / dates.
Sometimes Season Ticket holders won't be able to attend through no fault of their own - Time off work / public transport issues- but still want to guarantee their seat for the games they can attend and be prepared to commit. |  | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 06:56 - Sep 24 with 260 views | LA_Tractor_Boy |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 05:20 - Sep 24 by Churchman |
I’m a bit of a lightweight compared to you! And many others. I’ve had a season ticket for 26 seasons since the ground went all seater in 1992. Before that I stood (my preference) in Churchmans or NS. At a rough guess 7 or 8 of those seasons have been ok or better, much of the rest, dross. I went to football with my dad. A social thing. We’d done it for years.
The ST was bought in 92 to guarantee getting in. In his later years it was that and with my father’s reducing mobility his desire for a ‘permanent’ seat. He was unable to appreciate the clubs revival or witness the past few years, but when it came to it, the fact that we were cr@p especially during the Duncan and Evans period didn’t stop us. It was part of us, good and bad.
I still have a ST. And one of the best viewing points in the ground too. Entitlement doesn’t come into it, but to an extent loyalty should. I commit to the club money to use that seat for the season and for that, the club guarantee its use at a discount along with priority for cup games. I make a commitment (as we did when we were sht) and the club reciprocates. Why this is good for the club is in the article. I agree with you - I don’t see see why ‘the balance should be equalised’.
For a club like ITFC, it needs to be careful. It’s not going to attract tourist support like the big clubs. It’s just not that sort of football club. The answer lies in increasing the capacity to say 40k (the number I’ve heard mentioned). No more than that - I’ve been there when 10k was a decent crowd. While demand may not fall that low again, it’s only 10 years since the rubbish served up drove crowds down to the 16k mark. And given what I saw, they were lucky to get that.
Resale is the other answer. The system last season works well. Encourage people to use it. I would add a ‘donate’ option too. I’d have no problem when I can’t attend with somebody less fortunate than me using my seat for a nominal admin fee. But it should be controlled through the club. Anything that gets people to see live sport and build the club’s support base is good by me.
Just thoughts [Post edited 24 Sep 5:22]
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The ST resale site is a win-win and IMO there is no excuse for not using it (barring last minute emergencies) if you cannot forward on to a friend/family.
ST holders get their money back and the club profits by selling tickets for the matchday price.
I think the problem at Man Utd is that supporters are not allowed to forward their ST on to a friend/family. Their only option is to use the resale site or risk losing their ST.
Hopefully ITFC continue to allow STs to be forwarded on, but I suspect this option will be removed if demand continues to exceed supply. | | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 06:56 - Sep 24 with 258 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 01:27 - Sep 24 by flykickingbybgunn |
No.it just needs more seats.
But be aware, knock down the Cobbold to add say 4000 at say £500 a pop a year is only going to raise £2m per season.
For the club it would be decades before they broke even. |
That’s an overly simplistic revenue model. The suggested expansion and improvements for Portman road are part of making it the multipurpose event venue for the East of England. Extra capacity for football matches is only one (welcome) benefit.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is estimated to generate around £100M revenue from non-football events. Considering the East of England catchment area, that’s the prize on offer. Maybe not on the same scale, but certainly substantial, and money that contributes directly to SCR. | | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 07:07 - Sep 24 with 247 views | C_HealyIsAPleasure |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 15:51 - Sep 23 by hype313 |
My prediction is that within the next 3/4 years one big club will do away with ST and then others will follow suit.
It will be dynamic pricing etc |
Don’t think it’ll happen that fast however I think one of the other themes touched on in this thread will definitely be ‘addressed’, namely that I can see a club (probably Man U) removing the discount that applies on ST’s
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next step was to then increase the cost further and force people to pay a premium to guarantee their seat, rather than the current model where loyalty is rewarded with a discount
Once one club goes others will of course follow, and the move will be justified and probably lapped up in some quarters on the basis that it will prevent people from having a ST just to sell on and make money, the extra £2m raised is needed to allow the club to spend £10’s of millions on players etc
Depressing |  |
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| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 07:53 - Sep 24 with 204 views | RetroBlue |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 15:09 - Sep 23 by DarkBrandon |
It is a fair article, and as a non season-ticket holder I do think the balance should be equalised.
Season ticket holders get the best seats in the house at a discount, whereas I pay £45 merely for the right to scrabble around for the remaining seats when they do go on sale, and then pay full price for the ticket. |
As a ST holder for decades now , I don't agree with your stance on this . I've been prepared to put my money up front into the club when gates were just 10k, or less, and when the opposition was anything but inspiring to spend money to go and watch us play against....When Ive bought my ST where there were seats abound to choose from. No one was worried that I was paying up front, and choosing to sit in a "prime" seat then. So why now ?
So as the song goes, "where were you (fan base) when we were sh1t"? |  |
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| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 08:09 - Sep 24 with 172 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 23:14 - Sep 23 by Swansea_Blue |
That's a perfectly logical argument. You could also argue those who do the away games regularly but don't have season tickets are at least as worthy. Maybe more so as they're putting the miles in to support the team where support is most needed. So what happens to them if they want to make a trip to Portman Road? Is their commitment and longevity not worth anything? Or when it comes to longevity, where does someone who's supported the club through many decades compare against someone who's only had a ticket for a few years?
It's not quite as simple as it's often made out. |
How many people regularly go away but don't have a season ticket? I've no idea but I can't imagine it's many. |  |
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| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 08:20 - Sep 24 with 157 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
I did not sit through a Skuse, Hyam and Douglas midfield 3 to have my season ticket pinched off me. |  |
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| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 09:29 - Sep 24 with 99 views | BlueMoon |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 15:09 - Sep 23 by DarkBrandon |
It is a fair article, and as a non season-ticket holder I do think the balance should be equalised.
Season ticket holders get the best seats in the house at a discount, whereas I pay £45 merely for the right to scrabble around for the remaining seats when they do go on sale, and then pay full price for the ticket. |
It's simple volume-discount economics. If you commit to pay long-term you get a lower price. If you want no obligation, pay-as-you-go then you pay more.
For successful clubs you can see why they dislike it. They are guaranteed to sell the tickets at the higher price, ad-hoc & don't need the safety net of season ticket holders. I suggest they remember the commitment they have seen from fans and realise the good times might not last forever.
Not suggesting we should do this at Ipswich of course but, as consumers, people need to vote with their feet. As long as people are queuing up & paying high prices then vendors have no reason to change their outlook. This applies to cars, summer holidays, mobile phones whatever it is that the masses are repeatedly getting ripped off over. | | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 10:30 - Sep 24 with 57 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 09:29 - Sep 24 by BlueMoon |
It's simple volume-discount economics. If you commit to pay long-term you get a lower price. If you want no obligation, pay-as-you-go then you pay more.
For successful clubs you can see why they dislike it. They are guaranteed to sell the tickets at the higher price, ad-hoc & don't need the safety net of season ticket holders. I suggest they remember the commitment they have seen from fans and realise the good times might not last forever.
Not suggesting we should do this at Ipswich of course but, as consumers, people need to vote with their feet. As long as people are queuing up & paying high prices then vendors have no reason to change their outlook. This applies to cars, summer holidays, mobile phones whatever it is that the masses are repeatedly getting ripped off over. |
"It's simple volume-discount economics'
That's only true when the product is available to buy in volume, which it isn't anymore in the case of Town season tickets. In the days when the ground rarely came close to being sold out, it made perfect sense for the club to offer a discount for people to commit to buy in 'volume'.
Whether anyone likes it or not, that is no longer the case, and there is no commercial incentive to offer a discount for season tickets. People will argue 'soft' justifications for continuing the discount (e.g. 'I had a season ticket during the dire days for the club'), but not only season ticket holders attended games during those times. There are several reasons why people may have been regulars, but not had a season ticket (including, before the direct debit scheme, not being able to pay the full amount in advance).
Loyalty does deserve recognition, but it's not only season ticket holders that have been loyal, and there are other, better ways, to measure loyalty and reward it.
It would be wrong to force season ticket holders to give up their seat, but it's also true that the commercials for a season ticket represent a very different dynamic than it did 5-10 years ago, and will inevitably change. And it will change again when the capacity is 40k. | | | |
| Guardian piece on football season tickets on 10:50 - Sep 24 with 43 views | BlueBlueBluex2 |
I had ST for a few years in the early 90s and held a box for many years in the mid late 80s when the times were lean. I then didn’t attend for many years.
When we got promoted from L1 it was obvious the trajectory we were on so I bought three season tickets (one for me and two for just in case) and that gamble has paid off as I had my foot in the door since then. I knew that if I didn’t go, demand would outstrip supply and I could sell them on match by match at a profit.
I would be really surprised if more people didn’t have the foresight to take the gamble I did. | | | |
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