Season tickets - critical decisions

[Highbury_Blade]

Thing is Beighton, when you drop the act you sometimes have things worth hearing.
Happens that we could do with some ideas here.

Funny, i could say exactly the same thing about you.

 

[lenners]

Funny, i could say exactly the same thing about you.

Highbury, I always have things worth hearing.
Someone's got to banish the negativity, sweep away the mediocrity, crush the doom-mongers and remind everyone we are Sheffield United and we should be much more than we currently are.
But in the meantime, we need some ideas, some brainwaves, some clever people to come up with some clever stuff.

 

[beightonblade]

Nothing will change at BDTBL until McCabe sells up ....even then i wouldn't hold yer breath. The whole ethos at BDTBL has been wrong for as long as i've been a Blade.

 

[Manorblade]

Sadly I think it's to late for United to hold on to the numbers we currently have, I was at a point this season that I felt I just never enjoyed it anymore and I know a few lads (not season ticket holders) who gave up months ago! M Adams getting the job brought back some passion for me and saved 3 season tickets for next season but I feel we lost to many fans before Micky came and i don't think united board have what it takes to get them back.

 

[bartman]

Nothing will change at BDTBL until McCabe sells up ....even then i wouldn't hold yer breath. The whole ethos at BDTBL has been wrong for as long as i've been a Blade.

again you are giving soundbites,BB. What ethos would you change ?how do you think it could change if McCabe isn't the actual problem(as you imply do to things not changing if he left)?

If McCabe stays as now one can afford to buy him out,how would you change things?

The last couple of days fans have come up with some good ideas yet I've not seen any from you(apart from Tom Hark out). Lenners has tried to look forward and be positive with some thoughts,how about you ?

 

[lenners]

Sadly I think it's to late for United to hold on to the numbers we currently have, I was at a point this season that I felt I just never enjoyed it anymore and I know a few lads (not season ticket holders) who gave up months ago! M Adams getting the job brought back some passion for me and saved 3 season tickets for next season but I feel we lost to many fans before Micky came and i don't think united board have what it takes to get them back.

I think this is about forgeting the football for the timebeing and doing something adventurous, eye-catching, dramatic etc as regards season tickets.
Not only would it help shift the damn things but it might actually recreate some interest in our club.
That interest has dropped off massively, even for season ticket holders like you and me, and we need to find ways to get people talking about United again.
Summat clever or dramatic and ideally both with season tickets would be a good start.

 

[Tuns]

I'm a lapsed ST who could be tempted back.

The fantastic advantage United have got is that if they can come up with an eye catching offer it is pretty easy/cheap to publicise/advertise locally and we have the names addresses and phone numbers of thousands of potential St holders to contact directly and even before that to contact to do a bit of research on what it would take to get them back - even give them 3 or 4 of the option we are considering to chose from before we decide which way to go..

Most companies would love to be in that position and would do all they could to exploit it with a bit of imagination.

I hope our exciting ST offer is open to everyone on the same terms (or we are scoring a massive own goal - not many copanies set out to penalise the very people they need to work harder to attract to such an extent) , and that we don't have a ridiculously short period to buy them in.

 

[Nick Jansky]

I'm a lapsed ST who could be tempted back.

The fantastic advantage United have got is that if they can come up with an eye catching offer it is pretty easy/cheap to publicise/advertise locally and we have the names addresses and phone numbers of thousands of potential St holders to contact directly and even before that to contact to do a bit of research on what it would take to get them back - even give them 3 or 4 of the option we are considering to chose from before we decide which way to go..

Most companies would love to be in that position and would do all they could to exploit it with a bit of imagination.

I hope our exciting ST offer is open to everyone on the same terms (or we are scoring a massive own goal - not many copanies set out to penalise the very people they need to work harder to attract to such an extent) , and that we don't have a ridiculously short period to buy them in.

So as a lapsed ST holder who could be tempted back, what would tempt you back?

I agree with you about newcomers getting the same rate as ST holders. If its made attractive enough for defectees over the last couple of years to be tempted back, it will also be a good deal for the ST holders.

 

[SwissBlade]

I'm a lapsed ST who could be tempted back.

I hope our exciting ST offer is open to everyone on the same terms (or we are scoring a massive own goal - not many copanies set out to penalise the very people they need to work harder to attract to such an extent) , and that we don't have a ridiculously short period to buy them in.

Tuns, so lets get this straight...

You won't come back until the prices drop considerably.
You won't come back until the price is the same for new season tickets as it is for renewals

Yet those of us that will probably renew anyway and did so this season should be thankful that you lot are coming back when its cheap.

If United do what you want I'd consider NOT renewing my season ticket as the club should be looking to reward loyalty rather than focusing more on attracting fickle fans

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

As len says, leaving everything else aside, I really do think it's as simple as dropping the price. Everyone currently with a ticket will probably renew, I suspect a fair proportion of those who didn't renew last season would come back if it was around, say £200 and a lot of travellers like me could also be tempted. Whilst I've said there's a lot wrong with the whole football experience these days, at around £10 a game, people are more likely to buy into it and whilst the club may lose out short term, the long term gain is what they need to look at which means getting bums back on seats. At the end of the day 20,000 paying £200 is better than 10,000 playing £400 when all the other benefits are taken into account.

Have the club got the balls to drop the price and take a chance, I doubt it.

---------- Post added at 09:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 AM ----------

Tuns, so lets get this straight...

You won't come back until the prices drop considerably.
You won't come back until the price is the same for new season tickets as it is for renewals

Yet those of us that will probably renew anyway and did so this season should be thankful that you lot are coming back when its cheap.

If United do what you want I'd consider NOT renewing my season ticket as the club should be looking to reward loyalty rather than focusing more on attracting fickle fans

At the end of the day though Swiss would you rather have 25K fans at the Lane where some have paid less than you over the years or keep things as they are and have 15K there next season ?

If the price dropped considerably, would you be THAT bothered that people stand to gain more than you ?

 

[beightonblade]

I'm sorry but the only way to get Blades back buying season tickets in numbers is to get the product reight on the pitch ........ the rest is bollox.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

I'm sorry but the only way to get Blades back buying season tickets in numbers is to get the product reight on the pitch ........ the rest is bollox.

I'm sorry but I totally agree with beighton on this. Whilst I admire the constructive element of this thread in trying to come up with good commercial and PR strategies.....it boils down to success on the pitch at the end of the day. If United are winning and creating excitement, then people will flock through the turnstiles its as simple as that.

As bb says, if thats not reight the rest is bollocks or (more eloquently put) irrelevent

 

[boo radley]

I'm sorry but I totally agree with beighton on this. Whilst I admire the constructive element of this thread in trying to come up with good commercial and PR strategies.....it boils down to success on the pitch at the end of the day. If United are winning and creating excitement, then people will flock through the turnstiles its as simple as that.

As bb says, if thats not reight the rest is bollocks or (more eloquently put) irrelevent

What is it with you? on one thread your posh then on another your trying to dispell the myth.
I think you and BB are nearly right. If that is the case then what you and BB are saying is that any offeres on seasson tickets should be deffered at the moment because in general the pitch product has been crap.
Under MA though both home games have been entertaining. Therefore If MA continues to produce the entertainment and we retain our championship status then season ticket sales will rise. Many may even feel that MA is the man and they wont want to miss out next season.
I'll be renewing no matter what.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I'm sorry but the only way to get Blades back buying season tickets in numbers is to get the product reight on the pitch ........ the rest is bollox.

I'm sorry but I totally agree with beighton on this. Whilst I admire the constructive element of this thread in trying to come up with good commercial and PR strategies.....it boils down to success on the pitch at the end of the day. If United are winning and creating excitement, then people will flock through the turnstiles its as simple as that.

As bb says, if thats not reight the rest is bollocks or (more eloquently put) irrelevent

Obviously the product is key but I would be tempted to buy at £200 regardless of the state of things as I support SUFC. At £400plus, it becomes harder to justify it and other things such as actual enjoyment start overriding the blind optimism !

 

[beightonblade]

Buy rubbish and usually you have to buy twice, not really cost effective.
£200 to watch the dross we've had in recent years at BDTBL or £400 to be entertained ....no brainer......
The real question is how to make the transition.......... a good idea would be to stop the mouth moves before brain engages propaganda that has been spouted out of BDTBL for years ...say it how it is........ get rid of the two hats pretending to be footballers and replace them....we can't afford it ? ....we can't afford not toooooo !
Oh and to show sum intention fook Tom Hark off at no cost

 

[Selly]

OK a couple of ideas:

1) Extend the renewal discount to anyone who buys a ticket for the last 4 home matches of the season. Or 5 of the last 6. Or has bought a ticket for more than half the home games this season.

2) Implement a webyit.com approach, along the lines of:

Sell 5000 ST the price is £500
Sell 7000 ST the price is £480
Sell 10000 ST the price is £420
Sell 15000 ST the price is £350
Sell 20000 ST the price is £250

and get people to buy in at a level that suits them. Do some fancy maths and work out which level you have reached and BINGO!

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Selly, I think that's a great idea, especially if you are close to a boundary, you will get loads of people trying to convince their mates to buy one too, so that it nudges it over the price drop threshold

Only problem is mates may not want to buy one, if they can't get a season ticket next to the mate that has already bought one. Thoughts on how to solve that conundrum?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Only problem is mates may not want to buy one, if they can't get a season ticket next to the mate that has already bought one. Thoughts on how to solve that conundrum?

The only way round this is to assign certain blocks with 'ST only sit anywhere' but even then you'll upset some people who would miss out on their 'normal' seat. As far as I'm concerned, one thing about not being an ST holder for the past couple of seasons is that I've been able to move around the ground and sit in different areas which hasn't been a bad thing at all.

 

[Selly]

Selly, I think that's a great idea, especially if you are close to a boundary, you will get loads of people trying to convince their mates to buy one too, so that it nudges it over the price drop threshold

Only problem is mates may not want to buy one, if they can't get a season ticket next to the mate that has already bought one. Thoughts on how to solve that conundrum?

The same way I'd approach trying to sit with a mate whop already has a ST. Get one near them or get them to move. It's an issue that already exists.

Alternatively, you choose your seat when you sign up. So if one person signs up at the £250 level and one at the £350 level they can sit together.

 

[SwissBlade]

At the end of the day though Swiss would you rather have 25K fans at the Lane where some have paid less than you over the years or keep things as they are and have 15K there next season ?

If the price dropped considerably, would you be THAT bothered that people stand to gain more than you ?

At the end of the day, I want to see the lane full every week. Its when its at its best

But it does my head in that fans that let their season tickets lapse for non financial reasons (lets say because of the crap football) now want the club to make things attractive financially. Will they be there if the following seasons we are forced to up the prices again to pay the bills

I think the loyalty points scheme has been one of United's better ideas. And its part of the reason for keeping my season ticket on even when I don't make it back for every game I let people use my ticket for nowt.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

And its part of the reason for keeping my season ticket on even when I don't make it back for every game I let people use my ticket for nowt.

No problems with having prices linked to loyalty although as you've pointed out, the system is open to abuse

 

[lenners]

The issue of the product is one I think we have to set aside to a large extent.
We might improve slightly next season (assuming we stay up) but for me the issue with season tickets is twofold.
One is making a bold move on prices and initiatives to get people buying them and the other is by doing so you might actually get United fans interested in their club again.
At the moment, there is nothing interesting about the club. A bunch of loanees who'll go through the revolving door in the summer and generally not much to inspire any interest.
How do we galvanise people? Doing something dramatic and bold would send a signal that the club is bothered and the club would be much more likely to find supporters are also bothered again.
Do little, keep prices the same, tinker round the edges and many more will walk.

 

[JohnDenver]

The issue of the product is one I think we have to set aside to a large extent.
We might improve slightly next season (assuming we stay up) but for me the issue with season tickets is twofold.
One is making a bold move on prices and initiatives to get people buying them and the other is by doing so you might actually get United fans interested in their club again.
At the moment, there is nothing interesting about the club. A bunch of loanees who'll go through the revolving door in the summer and generally not much to inspire any interest.
How do we galvanise people? Doing something dramatic and bold would send a signal that the club is bothered and the club would be much more likely to find supporters are also bothered again.
Do little, keep prices the same, tinker round the edges and many more will walk.

I agree on this. We need to be radical, even if reduced prices leads to a yet further reduced wage bill, we need to grasp the nettle. If Adams says he can keep us in the league next term with kids and a few lower league signings, let's do it.

But who else thinks like me and would buy a season ticket on that basis?

 

[muttsnuts]

I agree on this. We need to be radical, even if reduced prices leads to a yet further reduced wage bill, we need to grasp the nettle. If Adams says he can keep us in the league next term with kids and a few lower league signings, let's do it.

But who else thinks like me and would buy a season ticket on that basis?

I would still have one while ever i can afford it, no matter what league.

 

[MunXy]

ive thought about this attendances problem, lets say 20,000 at the lane pay average £20, that works out around £400,000 per game not including programmes, pies n stuff, now lets say they cut price to £15 and we get in 27,000 that means we get three fold advantage, first bigger crowds generate bigger pereferal sales and better atmosphere meaning maybe more people will come and perhaps better performances, plus that actually equates to £405,000 in gate reciepts AND the price cut will mean the fans will believe the club actually thinks of the fans and the club rather than just the balance sheets even tho those too should be healthier.

simple maths, i mean obviously the size of price cuts could be adjusted as in when we start to get 27,000 add a quid meaning more revenue to invest in the club and better players equating to more success therefore higher attendances.if anyone sees a problem with my maths, shout up

MunXy

 

[bartman]

The problem you have is reducing the figures as you describe,but crowds only go up to 21000. It is difficult to judge price elasticity of a football club

 

[raul]

I suspect the 20000 at the Lane now averages out at under £20 now Munxy.

I think it's a bit more complex than just price tbh. Would I renew for £200? Probably only for the seat next to Lenners with the Malta Two sat in front.

State of the squad/club, ambitions/aims for the season would form part of the decision for me but, as I said elsewhere, I think the first task is to re-connect with the stayaways (I don't think anyone is staying away as a protest, just don't enjoy going anymore) and get them back into the match going habit before going for the ST sale.

 

[MunXy]

Sheffielders know a deal when the see one, and i believe the "feelgood" factor down at the lane, with a price cut even if they only get an extra 1000 people in would mean a bigger belief in the club listening to and trying to help the fans inturn helping the club with the result more fans etc etc.
what our blades need now is a boost, even a small boost in attendances, the loss in gate revenue should be almost made up for with extra sales.

MunXy

 

[lenners]

I suspect the 20000 at the Lane now averages out at under £20 now Munxy.

I think it's a bit more complex than just price tbh. Would I renew for £200? Probably only for the seat next to Lenners with the Malta Two sat in front.

State of the squad/club, ambitions/aims for the season would form part of the decision for me but, as I said elsewhere, I think the first task is to re-connect with the stayaways (I don't think anyone is staying away as a protest, just don't enjoy going anymore) and get them back into the match going habit before going for the ST sale.

The re-connection bit is key.
For so many fans that sense of 'so what?' about anything the club says or does is overwhelming.
Any ideas of what would make United interesting again Raul?
One of the difficult things for me is that McCabe himself is actually the man best placed to lead the club, the man with the most charisma as well as the most power at the top of the club.
Birch and carpet man are not going to inspire through their personas.
For Birch, as McCabe's head honcho in particular, it has to be about letting the plans and the strategies speak for themselves.
How they get fans reconnecting before the end of the season I don't know. Even if they suddenly start winning matches a lot of people are going to reasonably think half the players won't be there next year.
Big task.

 

[Nick Jansky]

The re-connection bit is key.
For so many fans that sense of 'so what?' about anything the club says or does is overwhelming.
Any ideas of what would make United interesting again Raul?
One of the difficult things for me is that McCabe himself is actually the man best placed to lead the club, the man with the most charisma as well as the most power at the top of the club.
Birch and carpet man are not going to inspire through their personas.
For Birch, as McCabe's head honcho in particular, it has to be about letting the plans and the strategies speak for themselves.
How they get fans reconnecting before the end of the season I don't know. Even if they suddenly start winning matches a lot of people are going to reasonably think half the players won't be there next year.
Big task.

i wish you had made posts like this years ago.

What I want is honesty from the club about the mistakes they have made, followed by something bold on season tickets, I like this idea of so much per month to watch the Blades, but think £30 a month is more reasonable. I also like the free PL season ticket, yes it probably won't happen, in which case it costs the club nowt. but I'm sure Blackpot didn't expect to go up either.