season ticket sales

[Jim Chimmerney]

The club hasn't actually said anything about ST sales, yet...not that that seems to matter to you, but then letting the facts get in the way was never a strong point, was it?



You're supposed to be a smart bloke Len. Another question for the AGM, I think...

4.36 a.m., blimey Dunc

We can all argue about whether len is right rolleyes or whether the club are in meltdown but given the economy, given the supposed general feeling around the club, given that the 'vast majority' are against the management team, if we do make anywhere near 17,000 ST sales that's a pretty decent achievement (if that's the right word) to fill over half the ground with Season Ticket holders. How many other clubs outside the Prem are doing that with a ground our size ?

We will end up down on figures this season and no doubt part of it is down to the club and the prices but jeez, let's get some perspective

 

[Blade58]

We have sold 17-18,000. Do you really believe what James Shields writes? He uses BladesMad to get scoops on transfers, the Star uses Sheffield Forum to get news from.

Joke paper

At this moment in time I'm not buying that.

You only have to speak to blades fans to know we have to be down more than 1000 tickets.

I spoke to the ticket office around a month ago. All they would say is that we were about 1500 down on last season at the same period. I asked the ticket lady to give me a figure then. She said around 14,500

However, it's easy from that to assume that the remaining 4000 or so who haven't bought their tickets yet probably aren't going to. I would guess we are somewhere around the 15,000 mark. That imo, is not all SUFC's fault. There's a recession on. Many, many clubs are down on st sales. A worrying trend, but not something whereby the whole blame can be laid at SUFC's feet

 

[alcoblade]

No, I said 5,000 down was my best guess.
De club is guilty as charged for ferking up their ticketing policy - as was pointed out.
The sad thing is the number of people who've been going for years among those who've just had enough.
Even sadder is the board couldn't give a flying. The best they can do is get npower to phone them up and offer cheap electricity after they've offered them the amazing six for five deal.

Len, as Bob said you quoted some doomsday scenario about sales before deadline. Deadline day came and went with your projection being obliterated and you were nowhere to be seen for some time. Bob's spot on with this.

UTB

 

[lenners]

Len, as Bob said you quoted some doomsday scenario about sales before deadline. Deadline day came and went with your projection being obliterated and you were nowhere to be seen for some time. Bob's spot on with this.

UTB

I apologise if I got the deadline day figure wrong but the total figure more or less right.
I shall never forgive myself.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I apologise if I got the deadline day figure wrong but the total figure more or less right.
I shall never forgive myself.

So you are sticking with your revised figure of 14,000 ST, just so we are clear.

If that is the case there should be no way our crowd gets above 19,000 unless you are wrong of course. QPR have a poor following and won't bring many as they haven't previously. Are you willing to stick your head in your self made noose again Len?

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

The recession is not as big influence as Blackwell.

Last night on RS confirmed his attitude when he answered criticism of his style of football. He still goes back to if you kick it long away from your goal then the opposing team can't score.

Neither can you if you only have the ball for 2 secs most of which is spent in the air.

Going to be a hard difficult season until Blackies gone.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

We've fallen from the premiership and have had to downsize our budget accordingly. We could have Alex Ferguson in charge - our crowds would still have fallen (from record highs) significantly at this point.

Average crowds of 21,000 would be more than acceptable, IMHO.

UTB

The fans wouldn't be going to see Fergie, it's the team first and the product they deliver.

Blackwell gradually stopped me traveling away and now has stopped the home games as well.

 

[Deleted member 2102]

Len, Is United's fall in season ticket sales better or worse or about the same as the other clubs in our league? If everyone is down then our competitive position is unchanged and if we put togther a decent run then people can buy the mini season tickets. Unless of course the economic downturn, the poor World Cup and the fact that the first game of the season kicks off before the second test match of the summer has even finished are specific issue relating to the Blades and no one else.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Len, Is United's fall in season ticket sales better or worse or about the same as the other clubs in our league? If everyone is down then our competitive position is unchanged and if we put togther a decent run then people can buy the mini season tickets. Unless of course the economic downturn, the poor World Cup and the fact that the first game of the season kicks off before the second test match of the summer has even finished are specific issue relating to the Blades and no one else.

You are trying to reason logically. This is why you fail.

 

[Spire Blade]

The recession is not as big influence as Blackwell.

Last night on RS confirmed his attitude when he answered criticism of his style of football. He still goes back to if you kick it long away from your goal then the opposing team can't score.

Neither can you if you only have the ball for 2 secs most of which is spent in the air.

Going to be a hard difficult season until Blackies gone.

Sorry but I was at the event and he was reacting to a silly question about Simonsens kicking ability. The guy who asked the question can't of been a Blade or had never watched dear old Paddy slice another kick out of play !!!!!!

 

[Balham]

Sorry but I was at the event and he was reacting to a silly question about Simonsens kicking ability. The guy who asked the question can't of been a Blade or had never watched dear old Paddy slice another kick out of play !!!!!!

What was the question Spire?

 

[Sensiblade]

The fans wouldn't be going to see Fergie, it's the team first and the product they deliver.

Blackwell gradually stopped me traveling away and now has stopped the home games as well.

But if you say it's the team you go to see not the manager, then how has Blackwell and not the team underperforming not been the cause of you stopping going?

 

[lenners]

Len, Is United's fall in season ticket sales better or worse or about the same as the other clubs in our league? If everyone is down then our competitive position is unchanged and if we put togther a decent run then people can buy the mini season tickets. Unless of course the economic downturn, the poor World Cup and the fact that the first game of the season kicks off before the second test match of the summer has even finished are specific issue relating to the Blades and no one else.

No idea and really don't care.
I want to see SUFC run as best as it possibly can be - not just as badly as everyone else, if that were the case (though I doubt all the other clubs will have lost over 25% of their season ticket holders in one go).
This is about us, how we're run and why we're losing so many people including many genuine fans who've watched for years and years.

 

[Spire Blade]

What was the question Spire?

I can't remember exactly but it was something like: "What will you be telling Simonsen to do about distribution of the ball seeing as his kicking is poor" It was obvious that the point he was trying to make was that we migght struggle as he thought that Simmo couldn't kick it very far. Blackie reacted immediately by saying "kick it as far as you can and will try and manage" in a nice sarcy way.

 

[Deleted member 2102]

No idea and really don't care.
I want to see SUFC run as best as it possibly can be - not just as badly as everyone else, if that were the case (though I doubt all the other clubs will have lost over 25% of their season ticket holders in one go).
This is about us, how we're run and why we're losing so many people including many genuine fans who've watched for years and years.

But thats the point isnt it Len. The eocnomy has slumped and season ticket sales have fallen. It aint rocket science.

 

[beightonblade]

Take away the 'loyalty'...'tribal following' that football enjoys and run a business as bad as the Blades do ........................... and yer wud be bust !

 

[Bramley]

I hear all this, "Blackwell has driven me not to renew my season ticket" etc etc. I wish it would bloody drive some of you to stop posting on here!!!

 

[LouTheBlade]

I hear all this, "Blackwell has driven me not to renew my season ticket" etc etc. I wish it would bloody drive some of you to stop posting on here!!!

If we still had the thanks button I would be hammering the feckin thing right now!!!!

Bravo Sir :thumbup:

 

[Bramley]

If we still had the thanks button I would be hammering the feckin thing right now!!!!

Bravo Sir :thumbup:

It's like people (ahem) who complain about the board every...single...hour...of...every...single...day, but then mysteriously cannot attend the "Ask the Chairman" meeting due to a plague of locusts/chance spotting of Lord Lucan/the polar icecaps melting.

The rest of us a locked in some kind of bloody purgatory, enduring the same posts regurgitated every other day (is there a template?), polls about whether we should have more polls about Blackwell, people writing essays of conjecture and ending them with 'FACT'...I think I need a lie down.

UTB COYRAWW

 

[super_pig]

>I hear all this, "Blackwell has driven me not to renew my season ticket" etc etc. I wish it would bloody drive some of you to stop posting on here!!!
well i'm not going to so suck it up mate.. ooh . .you're a bigger fan than me.. ok.. you're a 'proper' fan.. big deal!
this isn't the usa you know.. this is england..we don't blindly follow any dumb bastard just because they wear the right colours.. never have and never will.. a lot of people sacrificed their lives to make that possible..
reason for not renewing.. the football is shiiite.. but not because of that.. because hoofball is not a successful method in the long term and will not take us anywhere soon..
actually in the heat of the moment i forgot my 'actual' number one reason for not renewing.. i will not renew my season ticket while stephen quinn is anywhere near being a first team regular because i'm not contributing to HIS wages any longer.. FACT

 

[LouTheBlade]

It's like people (ahem) who complain about the board every...single...hour...of...every...single...day, but then mysteriously cannot attend the "Ask the Chairman" meeting due to a plague of locusts/chance spotting of Lord Lucan/the polar icecaps melting.

The rest of us a locked in some kind of bloody purgatory, enduring the same posts regurgitated every other day (is there a template?), polls about whether we should have more polls about Blackwell, people writing essays of conjecture and ending them with 'FACT'...I think I need a lie down.

UTB COYRAWW

To be fair Bramley I'm all for people having different opinions whether they spawn positive or negative comments. In all fairness ive had my moments where I become mr pessimist and throw my toys out of the pram (the only difference with me is that I calm down after a bit and stop acting like a twat).

But I do agree that certain posts become tedious because its the same people saying the same thing day in day out. Indeed thats their opinion and no one should try to deprive them of it, but most of it isnt constructive and just makes them look bitter really. I used to just skim read such posts and take them with a pinch of salt (seldom would I respond unless it interested me). But after a bit you get fed up of seeing what is basically a load of shite taking up thread space..........

At the end of the day even if it irks us, we cant stop people having opinions. We supposedly live in a democracy so I am all for people speaking their mind. I suppose the best thing to do is to disregard such comments and forge debate with more sensible posters. It just seems strange that people who are so bitter towards the club and have such an urge to post their non-renewal of season tickets every single day, would want to discuss SUFC on a forum..........bizarre

As I said though, ive had my moments so I know it can be frustrating.

 

[super_pig]

>have such an urge to post their non-renewal of season tickets
umm not really .. it was the topic of the thread! i believe in the earlier posts people were squabbling about the lost season ticket renewals (as lenners 'did' predict months ago btw).. so the people that fall into this category felt obliged to step forward

 

[LouTheBlade]

>have such an urge to post their non-renewal of season tickets
umm not really .. it was the topic of the thread! i believe in the earlier posts people were squabbling about the lost season ticket renewals (as lenners 'did' predict months ago btw).. so the people that fall into this category felt obliged to step forward

Thats fair enough, although it didnt really take a session of astro-physics to work out that a chunk of people wouldnt renew. It happens at every relegated club over the proceeding years following the drop. The crowds gradually dwindle bit by bit, year on year as some people only support if the team are winning. Thats a fact of football and of life so its not at all surprising that renewals would go down IMO.

Its the same at almost every club apart from places like Norwich, where there isnt a lot else to do other than go to the football!

 

[lenners]

It's like people (ahem) who complain about the board every...single...hour...of...every...single...day, but then mysteriously cannot attend the "Ask the Chairman" meeting due to a plague of locusts/chance spotting of Lord Lucan/the polar icecaps melting.

The rest of us a locked in some kind of bloody purgatory, enduring the same posts regurgitated every other day (is there a template?), polls about whether we should have more polls about Blackwell, people writing essays of conjecture and ending them with 'FACT'...I think I need a lie down.

UTB COYRAWW

Absolutely. They should put up or shut up. And at the very least demand to know what the future of Billy Sharp is.
Meanwhile, back on planet earth...

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Meanwhile, back on planet earth Len is still dodging answering the question.

Come on Len are you saying we have only sold 14K ST therefore our attendance against QPR will be a lot less than 19,000.

Plus with 14K season ticket holders we shouldn't get over 19,000 average attendance this season. If you can't commit if we have only sold 14K what do you think our average attendance will be?

 

[lenners]

Meanwhile, back on planet earth Len is still dodging answering the question.

Come on Len are you saying we have only sold 14K ST therefore our attendance against QPR will be a lot less than 19,000.

Plus with 14K season ticket holders we shouldn't get over 19,000 average attendance this season. If you can't commit if we have only sold 14K what do you think our average attendance will be?

Why will it be a lot less than 19k? Not following your logic.
First home game of the season, reasonably attractive opposition etc.
I'd hazard a guess we're looking at average crowds of around 21,000 - which I think someone else has already suggested on here - and which is about 5,000 down on last season.

 

[Railway Blade]

Watford last year 24,600 approx (19,000 season ticket holders approx)

My guess between 15 to 16k season ticket holders, QPR marginally more attractive opposition, but factor in Paddy's imfamous return, so a gate of about 21k would be my guess.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Why will it be a lot less than 19k? Not following your logic.
First home game of the season, reasonably attractive opposition etc.
I'd hazard a guess we're looking at average crowds of around 21,000 - which I think someone else has already suggested on here - and which is about 5,000 down on last season.

Haha ok then Len, that proves the you don't believe the 14K figure unless you are saying the only fans who won't turn up will be your season ticket non renewals.
We got 25,120 last season so taking your 5,000 down from that puts you at 20K not 21K so you are already trying to fudge your way out of it.

You are saying 5K fans won't renew but all those who buy their tickets for each match will all go to every week. 6,000 turned up on the day on average last season and you are now saying this figure will increase to 7,000 to get your 21,000.

Your maths doesn't add up, ST tickets down but more people turning up to pay on the day. Waffle, waffle waffle.

How can ST drop by nearly over 25% but paying on the day numbers increase by 15%?

14K season tickets would give you 19K average all things being equal. (25,000 last year, minus 5,000 ST none renewals, minus 1,000 on the day).
21,000 average with 14K Season Tickets doesn't make any sense unless there is a massive swing in Blade matchday habits.

Come on Len which is it 19K with 14,000 Season Ticket renewals or 21K (down 4K), with closer to 16,000 ST.

 

[lenners]

Bob, may I gently suggest that the number of people buying match tickets is likely to remain as high if not higher given the big drop in season ticket sales.
I think that is probably common sense.

 

[Deleted member 2102]

Bob, may I gently suggest that the number of people buying match tickets is likely to remain as high if not higher given the big drop in season ticket sales.
I think that is probably common sense.

So the board have played a blinder then.