18/04/10 - Sheffield Wednesday v. Sheffield United

[Foxy]

Remember this? .....

That and this way he can claim he's listening to their calls to give us less tickets after we had the cheek to give such a massive club only the lower tier....

Then, closer to the time, say that the snorters are FUDDING too much and sales aren't going as well as expected, so he's releasing more to us to get important funds in.

The usual Strafford no-lose standpoint, without actually doing anything but talk.

Guess who's just text Radio Sheffield in response to Pigs critising him for giving us more tickets?

Strappon - "I've always said if we sell out or sell well then we'll give Blades minimum allocation, we've been selling since the summer and have only sold 4000 above season tickets, so I've been forced to give Blades more tickets which will generate more income"

 

[MAQ]

Whats the plans for meeting up prior to this match? Anything been organised?

 

[Foxy]

Strappon just said on Radio Sheffield that he doesn't think our "excuses" about allocation at the lane stand up and by contrast they want to do the "right thing".

That people had bad experiences at Bramall Lane and that they won't allow that to happen.

As of yesterday, Pigs have sold 4000 tickets in addition to season tickets.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

'they want to do the "right thing".'

I'd have thought they had to do want the co-op bank said, no questions asked.

 

[Foxy]

'they want to do the "right thing".'

I'd have thought they had to do want the co-op bank said, no questions asked.

Plus he went on to say that to give us less tickets, they'd have to sell more to Wednesday fans first.... That this was the plan.

Is that not just exactly what the Blades did? we could sell more tickets to Blades, so did?

 

[Linz]

An extra 300 tickets are going on general sale at 2pm today.

So much for not selling out

 

[LouTheBlade]

An extra 300 tickets are going on general sale at 2pm today.

So much for not selling out

Its taken them long enough though hasn't it? I have never seen it take so long to sell out away tickets to the derby. Just shows how enthusiastic the fans are!

This stupid loyalty points system doesnt help either. It should suit me as I have a quite a good tally but I think it's unfair to those who can't afford football all the time. I think I qualified on the second day but I was so reluctant to go. Eventually I decided why not and got them last friday.

Quite looking forward to it now, purely because there is nothing else to get excited about.

We're sending them down, we're sending them dowwwwwwwwn!

 

[ghandi]

Its taken them long enough though hasn't it? I have never seen it take so long to sell out away tickets to the derby. Just shows how enthusiastic the fans are!

This stupid loyalty points system doesnt help either. It should suit me as I have a quite a good tally but I think it's unfair to those who can't afford football all the time. I think I qualified on the second day but I was so reluctant to go. Eventually I decided why not and got them last friday.

Quite looking forward to it now, purely because there is nothing else to get excited about.

We're sending them down, we're sending them dowwwwwwwwn!

Lou....The loyalty points system works it is one of the best things the club has implemented. If you think it unfair that others who can't afford football all the time you could buy a ticket and sell it to someone who hasn't sufficient points. Additionally you have to bear in mind that for every match this season there were tickets on general sale including next Sunday's game where the less well off could have bought tickets.

 

[Linz]

This stupid loyalty points system doesnt help either. It should suit me as I have a quite a good tally but I think it's unfair to those who can't afford football all the time.

Should Tesco give out Clubcard points to people who can't afford to shop there all the time?

Same difference.

Even in the Premiership, Old Trafford, The Emirates and Anfield were the only grounds where our tickets didn't go on general sale. All those who want to get tickets can get them. Anyone who uses the loyalty points system as a reason not to go is looking for an excuse.

 

[Worksop_Blade]

The Loyalty Points system does not matter while SUFC are in the football League as the demand for the tickets is not there, If the club ever got promoted then the system would start to matter.

Don't why everyones getting all giddy about it, we couldn't even shift our Wembley allocation in the end.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Lou....The loyalty points system works it is one of the best things the club has implemented. If you think it unfair that others who can't afford football all the time you could buy a ticket and sell it to someone who hasn't sufficient points. Additionally you have to bear in mind that for every match this season there were tickets on general sale including next Sunday's game where the less well off could have bought tickets.

I disagree. Sorry I just do. The point I am making is that it doesn't suit everyone. It suits those that go to 20+ away games a season (i.e. those that have the time and money to do so). It's not a problem from my point of view. I take in at least 30 games every season so its suits my situation fine. I just think it puts those who can't do the same as me in a difficult situation when they want to go to a big game. A lot of folk cant get time off and money to go to loads of away games in midweek etc. and that is how you rack up extra points. A lot of people save up over the course of the year and choose their holiday from work carefully so they can make their favoured games. How does the points system award those people???!

Look at the Wembley fiasco. I go to the lane and to most away games with my family. Because me and my old fella had more points than my much younger siblings, we only qualified for two tickets for the first 2-3 days they were on sale! We then had to risk them being sold out so that we could wait for the young-uns to qualify. If you think the loyalty points system is a good idea then it clearly suits your situation, but its a rubbish system as far as I'm concerned.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Should Tesco give out Clubcard points to people who can't afford to shop there all the time?

Same difference.

Even in the Premiership, Old Trafford, The Emirates and Anfield were the only grounds where our tickets didn't go on general sale. All those who want to get tickets can get them. Anyone who uses the loyalty points system as a reason not to go is looking for an excuse.

I'm not sure that comparison really works if I'm honest Linz. A football club is something people have an emotional attachment to. I don't think Tesco shoppers are too concerned about having to switch to ASDA for a cheaper shop.

I don't think anyone uses the loyalty points system as an excuse not to go. It's more that it is preventative to those who want to attend the bigger games. It's ok for die hards like ourselves to sit on our high horse and say "if you want a ticket you can get one" but its not that simple for folk on lower income who have to save to go to cup games or away games and spend all their disposable income on a season ticket.

The main issue I have with it is when it causes complications, as with the Wembley fiasco mentioned in my earlier post. Apart from that it doesn't cause me any major issues in regard to getting tickets.

 

[ghandi]

I agree that no system is 100 percent perfect but what's the alternative - a free for all for every big game. Everyone who wanted to go to Wembley with families managed it either by waiting as you did or purchasing what they could then exchanging when lower qualification came on stream. You only need to to have had a season ticket for the last 4 years and never go to an away match to get over 10,000 points. The points system was introduced to reward loyalty for ticket distribution but you seem to want to abandon that for one big game every once in a while. What is your suggestion to replace the loyalty system that doesn't suit you...if you change it just for big games you'll upset more people who lose their "seniority" in qualification just to make it less inconvenient in your particular case (although your wishes were ultimately met)

 

[LouTheBlade]

Its about using common sense ghandi, by not having a 'one system fits all' rule. If it were up to me (IF) I would have a membership scheme for those that want to go to away games throughout the season.

For big games (i.e. Wembley) it could be made very simple;

- Season ticket holders get first crack
- Those that have attended a sufficient number of games (say 20 for arguments sake) get second go
- Then general sale

The above seems very fair to me and would cut out all this loyalty points nonsense where points between family members are fractured. Just because you find the system beneficial, it doesn't make it right.

I find the idea of a hierarchy a little patronising and devalues supporters that find it harder to make games. I'm not saying all this out of spite or envy ghandi. I don't suffer from the system, I just perceive to it be unfair on others. That's my opinion.

 

[DazBlade88]

It would have to narrowed down to more than just Season Ticket Holders Lou, otherwise you just have 20,000 people scrapping for the best tickets on the same day.

 

[BarcaBlade]

But if me and my wife have season tickets and our eldest has been to 21 matches, but the younger son has only been to 16, we still have the same problem of being in different brackets.

 

[ghandi]

Its about using common sense ghandi, by not having a 'one system fits all' rule. If it were up to me (IF) I would have a membership scheme for those that want to go to away games throughout the season.

For big games (i.e. Wembley) it could be made very simple;

- Season ticket holders get first crack
- Those that have attended a sufficient number of games (say 20 for arguments sake) get second go
- Then general sale

The above seems very fair to me and would cut out all this loyalty points nonsense where points between family members are fractured. Just because you find the system beneficial, it doesn't make it right.

I find the idea of a hierarchy a little patronising and devalues supporters that find it harder to make games. I'm not saying all this out of spite or envy ghandi. I don't suffer from the system, I just perceive to it be unfair on others. That's my opinion.

I assume that your suggestion would suit your particular circumstances for a big game but you will then have people who have been to 30 games who will say with some justification why should someone who's only attended 20 games get to purchase tickets at the same time. What you appear to suggest is a less clearer version of the loyalty system. The current system doesn't suit me; I had to do the same as you did for the play-off final, and also now I have to wait because one of of regulars at away matches doesn't have as many points as the rest of us but I see it as by far and away as the fairest system. You know when you can go for your tickets and saves hours of queuing which with 15000 ST holders with first dibs could not be avoided or have postal only applications with all the uncertainty with the mail that ensues. Additionally in your system how do you decide to distribute tickets for away games when you have 15000 ST holders and only 1500 tickets - I know currently the demand is not very high but that won't always be the case - I hope.

 

[LouTheBlade]

It would have to narrowed down to more than just Season Ticket Holders Lou, otherwise you just have 20,000 people scrapping for the best tickets on the same day.

True but I'm talking about games at big stadiums like Wembley where we get a 35,000 allocation. The 20,000 season ticket holders are entitled guaranteed tickets. But to get the best ones I think first come first served is fair.

Ive never been aware that you get a choice of seat for those games anyway. As far as I know, you get what you're given. Don't they just sell them in blocks??? I asked once and wasn't allowed a choice.

 

[LouTheBlade]

I assume that your suggestion would suit your particular circumstances for a big game but you will then have people who have been to 30 games who will say with some justification why should someone who's only attended 20 games get to purchase tickets at the same time. What you appear to suggest is a less clearer version of the loyalty system. The current system doesn't suit me; I had to do the same as you did for the play-off final, and also now I have to wait because one of of regulars at away matches doesn't have as many points as the rest of us but I see it as by far and away as the fairest system. You know when you can go for your tickets and saves hours of queuing which with 15000 ST holders with first dibs could not be avoided or have postal only applications with all the uncertainty with the mail that ensues. Additionally in your system how do you decide to distribute tickets for away games when you have 15000 ST holders and only 1500 tickets - I know currently the demand is not very high but that won't always be the case - I hope.

My suggestion wouldn't suit my circumstances at all. In fact it would be less beneficial to me as at the moment, I have enough loyalty points to get first dibs. I'm just thinking of others. Thankfully I'm not the type to consider it fair just because it works for me.

I'm not suggesting the same system for away games. Read the post again and see the comments regarding away membership. Other clubs have such systems and they work.

I don't really care either way, I have never had trouble getting tickets but I know others have. I didnt really want this to escalate into a debate. I made a comment based on my experiences and the dissatisfaction of other people ive spoken to. But like you said, no system is 100% fair. You can't please everyone (but you can make life simple).

 

[norfolkblade]

To be honest, I don't know how they could make it any fairer. I'll be honest, I probably do 8-10 games a season at most, purely because I live miles away and it costs a lot of money for me to do otherwise (though I am considering a season ticket for next year as I will hopefully get a payrise when I get my qualification). It stops people being "big games only" and not bothering with any of the other games! The only reason I'm annoyed is because it's not being shown on TV, we get another dose of bloody Newcastle on the Monday after instead. I haven't been to enough games this year to deserve a derby ticket, so the hardcore with all the points, quite rightly IMO, should get first choice, I can't see why people can complain about that?! Though I do have sympathy for families who can't combine their points, that does seem a bit weird!

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I've never missed a big game.

I don't go to watch the opposition so never class games at Anfield/Old Trafford etc as big unless it is a semi final and we're playing.

Perhaps if we needed to win to stay up or [dream on] win to qualify for Europe then a league game may become a 'big' game but not cus of the opposition. In these circumstances it would still be a big game if it were at Stoke.

Palace last season was a much bigger game than any league game I've seen at Old Trafford/Anfield.

Note: Locked out at Old Trafford in 71 so not on my list as big games.

 

[Linz]

But you have to remember why the loyalty points system was brought in.

For the Wednesday away match in 2005/06, there were people camping outside the Lane to try and get tickets. I've slept rough outside the Lane to get tickets for Anfield in 2002/03. It was not a practical system and was causing the club hassle and with the increase in ST holders in the Premiership season, they needed some way of ensuring that it wasn't a free for all. I know of at least one ST holder who didn't get tickets for the above mentioned Wednesday game because it was ST holders + 1 extra when the tickets went on sale. No matter how you play it, 20000 does not fit into 8000.

The club also don't want 30000 people descending on the Lane on the same day because it's a free for all. The ticket office get some deserved criticism at times, but can you imagine the cock-ups if that many people decided to go down at once because they wanted tickets for Wembley? At least with the loyalty points system in operation all the time, they can gauge demand and adjust staffing levels accordingly.

Instead we have a system that rewards loyalty. My analogy with Tesco stands up completely. They offer benefits to those who spend the most money with the club. Sheffield United is a business, despite the emotional attachment, and will look after those who spend the most money and take the most effort following the team.

If someone wants to go to a game, they will do. If they can't afford it, then why is that the club's fault? I can't afford a Porsche, I don't see them bending over backwards to give me one

In an ideal world, tickets would be free and everyone would get one. But this isn't an ideal world. This is business. And SUFC want your cold hard cash.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I've not got a problem with the points system generally but:

A It has to start at some point but standing in the rain on a muddy bank at Halifax counts for no points.
B Son has no mortgage and little over heads so can afford to follow home and away. Does that make him a bigger Blade than me?

 

[Foxy]

We've now got an additional 193 restricted view tickets available from 9am tomorrow.

 

[GC88]

Why is the loyalty points system stupid?

They have 4 seasons of data plus st holders from 05-06 - it's a better system for judging 'loyalty' than saying anyone with a stub from XXFC then having 1000's out in the car park the next day.

 

[Linz]

B Son has no mortgage and little over heads so can afford to follow home and away. Does that make him a bigger Blade than me?

Nope, just means he can get tickets sooner.

 

[beightonblade]

Note: Locked out at Old Trafford in 71 so not on my list as big games.

Plastic foo ker..... we were on the Stretford End

aye an if yer know the reight folk yer get the tickets easy !

 

[Zlatan]

We've now got an additional 193 restricted view tickets available from 9am tomorrow.

How many tickets have we actually been given overall then? They've come through in such dribs and drabs that I've lost track!

 

[axel smeets]

I think its 5300. There was the original 2800, + 2000,+300,+193. I think that comprises the entire Leppings Lane end bar the cheese slice. I would doubt that we would get the cheese slice as well, although with only 20000 home tickets sold so far they are definitley in a position to give us the corner.

 

[Zlatan]

Sounds about right.

And I'm not sure if they are allowed to use that corner are they? I thought it was condemned by health and safety!?