Bitter taste in my mouth

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Dkc said:
No, it's not as simple as that. It's my club, and the club of my mates from school. We're all in our 50's now, and have supported the team over decades through thick and thin. Like many of my mates, I was at Hillsborough on Boxing Day, Darlington, Leicester, Wembley v the Pigs, Play Off finals, relegation games, cup semis.

You are implying that it's a simple decision, like shopping at Tesco if you don't like Waitrose. But it isn't. It's about much, much more than that. It's about the soul and tradition of S2 and the close connection with that fans that I always though set SUFC apart from the corporate-led clubs. As a loyal fan I should be allowed to criticise without being told that I shouldn't go any more.

It's not about prices. It's about the way that many very important decisions are now seemingly being made in a vacuum without any input from fans. It's about the way the club speaks to us. How we are fobbed offf, how we are treated.
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I kind of agree with you about retaining traditional values, it would be nice to stay that way
but don’t you accept that it’s incredibly naive to think that way.

Amateur football is run using true football values but when money becomes involved then a sport starts becoming a more of business.
In the PL there is multiple millions and loads of commercial opportunities to bring in more millions.

It’s unfortunate that the stars of business world at our club play such a massive role in our success,
But it’s the business men at our club that are helping us acquire better players and a better product on the pitch.

It’s easy to criticise the club but don’t know what else they can do when demand exceeds supply.
I really believe that anyone who has a criticism should offer solutions/ alternatives as that’s the best way to change anything,
 

Dkc said:
No, it's not as simple as that. It's my club, and the club of my mates from school. We're all in our 50's now, and have supported the team over decades through thick and thin. Like many of my mates, I was at Hillsborough on Boxing Day, Darlington, Leicester, Wembley v the Pigs, Play Off finals, relegation games, cup semis.

You are implying that it's a simple decision, like shopping at Tesco if you don't like Waitrose. But it isn't. It's about much, much more than that. It's about the soul and tradition of S2 and the close connection with that fans that I always though set SUFC apart from the corporate-led clubs. As a loyal fan I should be allowed to criticise without being told that I shouldn't go any more.

It's not about prices. It's about the way that many very important decisions are now seemingly being made in a vacuum without any input from fans. It's about the way the club speaks to us. How we are fobbed offf, how we are treated.
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Last season, Huddersfield 'rewarded' their fans by charging the cheapest season ticket prices in the PL. And look where they are now...

I'm certainly not going to knock your opinions, Dkc. I know you are as much a fan of the Blades as any of us, but 'You've got to spend money to make money'. And - money aside - I remember when we were last in the PL and most of the players had 'minders' (I remember the team coach setting off for Tottenham and Michael Tongue certainly had one) and you simply couldn't just wander up to them for a chat/autograph etc. The world has changed since then. Just ask Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac.
 
Flawed said:
There are people who see criticism (even constructive criticism) of United as a personal affront. It's very bizarre.
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Depends on if it states it’s based on facts and then lists a very subjective view of how the fans are feeling and what’s going on at the club.
The OP is a rant about his oddly skewed view of what’s happening at a club which he’s entitled to.
Others are also quite entitled to highlight this.
 
I believe a lot of fans just do not realise how lucky we are. My Mate is a Palace Fan and he paid £62 for his ticket V Everton. And thats cheap compared to the other clubs in the south.
 
grafikhaus said:
(And when the Sandero starts to rot away, cover it with a tarpaulin and pretend the rust isn't happening on a daily basis. Like Hillsborough. :D)
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But pay for the running costs of a Porsche for the privilege.

A bag of Haribo's at the bucket of rust costs £ 5 according to one of the deluded at work, season tickets for himself and his son are £ 700.

Yet people complain about the way our club is run - LOL.
 
Flatulent_Bob said:
Depends on if it states it’s based on facts and then lists a very subjective view of how the fans are feeling and what’s going on at the club.
The OP is a rant about his oddly skewed view of what’s happening at a club which he’s entitled to.
Others are also quite entitled to highlight this.
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Excellent point....regards my dealings with SUFC they actually welcome constructive criticism, as long as there are solutions/ suggestions offered,
They do sometimes take note and take on board ideas/ suggestions from fans.
 
I'm led to believe that we now have to strictly adhere to a whole new set of rules, dictated by the PL and Sky who are ploughing the money in, risking large fines should we not fully comply.
In a way I understand what the OP is getting at (not the Chansiri comparison). Last time we were in this division I remember feeling similar, like it wasn't our club anymore. I guess it's the price you have to pay to be with the elite.
I believe Mr Giddings explained this on FH in the week.
 
It is an indisputable fact that they have messed up the membership scheme, the Palace tickets, the sale of season tickets and charging us more than the away fans.
Hopefully they will learn and deal with it.
 
Dkc said:
I love the Blades with all my heart and last season was one of the best in living memory. I’ve seen two other promotions to the top flight, and last season’s could have been the most exciting I have witnessed. I have huge respect for CW and the players who achieved promotion against the odds, and this is not a gripe at them. Most of the club’s employees are good people too. But I think there’s something rotten creeping in, something that’s driving a big wedge between the club and the fans.

In general, great wealth changes people for the worst. The more money you have, the more you want to retain it and acquire more. This applies to organizations too. When they can afford it, people and companies hire professionals, lawyers and PR people, not to engage with customers, but to brush them aside and avoid criticism.

OK, some things are now dictated by the PL. But in general, United’s attitude to the fans this season has been appalling. It has been that of rich company seeking to protect its assets and increase its wealth above anything else. The season ticket early bird fiasco, moving loyal season ticket holders without speaking to them first, the blatant rip off that is the membership scheme, the Palace ticketing fiasco, making Palace a Cat A game and charging our fans on the kop more than the away fans are just a few examples. Even worse is the terse responses to emails and the corporate-speak in the official communication. It stinks.

I can’t believe McCabe is responsible for this. His regime has been characterized by fair prices and good communication with the fans. I can only imagine that his power is now limited and someone else now has the final say when it comes to pricing, PR and communication.

The facts can’t be avoided. The club is really fucking up its relationship with the fans big time. Loyalty and tradition are taking a back seat to the practice of screwing as much money as possible out of the fans.

We’re currently acting worse than Wednesday under Chansiri, and it’s leaving a bitter taste in my mouth
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I was with you until the wendy comparison. At least we have the excuse of being in the prem and the teething problems that will inevitably bring. Tunapigman on the other hand bent them over the barrel from the start and has never let up. And for what? To be surpassed by your pub league neighbours lol.

It is intriguing though that we are having a glimpse of post-Mccabe reality and its not all as rosy as his critics suspected.
 
Dkc said:
It's not about prices. It's about the way that many very important decisions are now seemingly being made in a vacuum without any input from fans. It's about the way the club speaks to us. How we are fobbed offf, how we are treated.
Click to expand...

Your opening post implied that your concerns were all money based.

Look on the bright side- you say you are in your 50's, when you hit 60 you will get pensioner rates as I now have, If I followed the deluded it would be another 6 years of full price.
The Blades are a victim of their own success to a degree, this summer has required so much change with little time to implement it.

Personal emails to all 30,000 supporters to assuage each of their individual gripes is very time consuming.

Enjoy the best football we have seen for decades. UTB.
 
Change always brings consequences. Some good and others can seem challenging (At least in the short term, till one adjusts).
For me, looking at the overall picture, it is one of enthusiastic anticipation of what lies ahead and the immense appreciation of what the last three years has delivered.
UTB!!!
 
Sean Thornton said:
We should have stopped in L1. Then every fucker could get a ticket whenever they wanted, programmes would be 50p cheaper and we could watch the likes of Hammond and Sammon every week.
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Still trying to work out whether to laugh or cry at that comment.

Though the number attached to 'every fucker' is not the same as today's number.
 
S11Blade said:
The product your getting is vastly improved from the product you were getting before, so why shouldn’t you pay more? Our prices are still very fair.
[/QUOT Is the shirt made of better materials? That's gone up be about a tenner .
Click to expand...
 

Chansiri comparison was a bit over the top I admit but I stand by the rest of my post. Just because we are in the PL it doesn't mean that we have to become a corporate money making machine like Spurs or West Ham. The fans are still the lifeblood of the club, regardless of whether we are in the PL or L2. They should be respected, not treated with the same disdain as customers of TalkTalk or Ryanair
 
Dkc said:
I love the Blades with all my heart and last season was one of the best in living memory. I’ve seen two other promotions to the top flight, and last season’s could have been the most exciting I have witnessed. I have huge respect for CW and the players who achieved promotion against the odds, and this is not a gripe at them. Most of the club’s employees are good people too. But I think there’s something rotten creeping in, something that’s driving a big wedge between the club and the fans.

In general, great wealth changes people for the worst. The more money you have, the more you want to retain it and acquire more. This applies to organizations too. When they can afford it, people and companies hire professionals, lawyers and PR people, not to engage with customers, but to brush them aside and avoid criticism.

OK, some things are now dictated by the PL. But in general, United’s attitude to the fans this season has been appalling. It has been that of rich company seeking to protect its assets and increase its wealth above anything else. The season ticket early bird fiasco, moving loyal season ticket holders without speaking to them first, the blatant rip off that is the membership scheme, the Palace ticketing fiasco, making Palace a Cat A game and charging our fans on the kop more than the away fans are just a few examples. Even worse is the terse responses to emails and the corporate-speak in the official communication. It stinks.

I can’t believe McCabe is responsible for this. His regime has been characterized by fair prices and good communication with the fans. I can only imagine that his power is now limited and someone else now has the final say when it comes to pricing, PR and communication.

The facts can’t be avoided. The club is really fucking up its relationship with the fans big time. Loyalty and tradition are taking a back seat to the practice of screwing as much money as possible out of the fans.

We’re currently acting worse than Wednesday under Chansiri, and it’s leaving a bitter taste in my mouth
Click to expand...
What was the "Earlybird Season Ticket Fiasco"??
Season tickets were put on sale, at a very good price, and everyone that wanted one, could buy one, until high demand, rendered it almost impossible to sell more, as then many other supporters/membership holders, would miss out on the possibility of getting tickets.
I'm not sure that equates to being a "fiasco"?
The points system is a "fiasco" however, and frankly ridiculous.
 
The bloke next to me lost his seat as he went to renew the day after Earlybird finished. He expected to pay a higher price but not lose his seat altogether.
 
BigBed said:
What was the "Earlybird Season Ticket Fiasco"??
Season tickets were put on sale, at a very good price, and everyone that wanted one, could buy one, until high demand, rendered it almost impossible to sell more, as then many other supporters/membership holders, would miss out on the possibility of getting tickets.
I'm not sure that equates to being a "fiasco"?
The points system is a "fiasco" however, and frankly ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Don't want to get into this argument again but 'early bird' prices imply that you are getting a better deal by purchasing early. It was never stated that this could be the only opportunity to buy season tickets.
 
Agree with the OP except the Chansiri thing which was obviously wrong (and it's now been withdrawn). Most people got the impression from the OP it's about price increases, I got the impression it was falling customer service standards and there is no excuse for that, only football clubs could get away with this because of how the customer base works. McCabe has worked well to increase the fanbase, don't let's fuck it up now for a bunch of johnny-come-lately's who'll disappear as soon as results start to falter.
 
Dkc said:
I love the Blades with all my heart and last season was one of the best in living memory. I’ve seen two other promotions to the top flight, and last season’s could have been the most exciting I have witnessed. I have huge respect for CW and the players who achieved promotion against the odds, and this is not a gripe at them. Most of the club’s employees are good people too. But I think there’s something rotten creeping in, something that’s driving a big wedge between the club and the fans.

In general, great wealth changes people for the worst. The more money you have, the more you want to retain it and acquire more. This applies to organizations too. When they can afford it, people and companies hire professionals, lawyers and PR people, not to engage with customers, but to brush them aside and avoid criticism.

OK, some things are now dictated by the PL. But in general, United’s attitude to the fans this season has been appalling. It has been that of rich company seeking to protect its assets and increase its wealth above anything else. The season ticket early bird fiasco, moving loyal season ticket holders without speaking to them first, the blatant rip off that is the membership scheme, the Palace ticketing fiasco, making Palace a Cat A game and charging our fans on the kop more than the away fans are just a few examples. Even worse is the terse responses to emails and the corporate-speak in the official communication. It stinks.

I can’t believe McCabe is responsible for this. His regime has been characterized by fair prices and good communication with the fans. I can only imagine that his power is now limited and someone else now has the final say when it comes to pricing, PR and communication.

The facts can’t be avoided. The club is really fucking up its relationship with the fans big time. Loyalty and tradition are taking a back seat to the practice of screwing as much money as possible out of the fans.

We’re currently acting worse than Wednesday under Chansiri, and it’s leaving a bitter taste in my mouth
Click to expand...
They’ve cocked up with the membership scheme, and are gradually unwinding the mess.


Overall, you’ve made a way over the top appraisal of the situation.
 
The club has had to make adjustments, like any business you have to evolve, I would say we’re one of the best family clubs around, we need to improve professionally and that means changes, I don’t accept your post it’s just readjustments...people don’t like change and it sounds da like your in that camp...cheer up we’re in the premier.....
 
My gripe has only been the poor communication regarding season tickets and also that memberships are fairly pointless now.

I expected price hikes so that doesn't bother me too much.

No way are we are on a par with those in S6 espcially when you look at the bizarre things they have done to alienate their fanbase over the last few years.
 
Only things that’ve fucked me off are the shirt prices going up, only having 1 chance to use a discount at the club shop, and the loyalty point stuff.

1) I don’t know if that’s dictated by Adidas, if not that’s poor form
2) that’s dictated by the club, bit wank
3) no excuse, just backwards
 
Whilst I can understand where you’re coming from having spoken to the ticket office myself this season, I cant think that this is anything to do with a new “regime”. It makes sense that they’re struggling and I know earlier in the year they advertised for a new CRM manager which is perhaps to deal with this issue. Give them time.
 
Muttley said:
The bloke next to me lost his seat as he went to renew the day after Earlybird finished. He expected to pay a higher price but not lose his seat altogether.
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That is the bit that annoys me
I think a few long term season ticket holders lost there seat due to bigger demand than expected .
Surely there should have been skope to allow these fans to renew obviously at the new price..
There are a multitude of reasons why these fans missed the deadline and I feel for these people.
If any employee at the club reads these posts ? Maybe if enough of us show our solidarity to these fans perhaps the club to allow them to buy one.
There will be a fair number! and some who lost there seats will not perhaps take up the offer but surely a long term blade deserves the opportunity to buy one.
 

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