It's a grumble!.... - South Stand ticket move & press box

[blade too long]

In some ways moving all those affected en bloc. Is a thoughtful choice.
You will recognise some faces. The problem is a result of our success on gaining promotion. Had we failed to go up the problem would not have arisen .The only other option word have been turning down promotion so as not to offend 100 fans.

In the future we will hopefully rebuild and extend the kop and the South stand so there's much more disruption to come. We move on or die I'm afraid. As they say things change.
I understand the frustration it's you affected but 100 or so were going to get moved no matter what for the good of all at the club.
I can see both sides of the decision is a dilemma for both the club and you.
In fairness the letter says you can contact them to arrange alternative seats.
You will feel your being singled out . It's raw just now. But there are endless options available

 

[Houston_Blade]

I’d just stamp my feet and be a c**t until they gave me better or equivalent seats.

As it seems there is nothing that can be done I’d be asking for exec access for a few games in the season (say 5) as well as the alternative seats.

 

[metalblade]

Piss poor service from the club and ticket office yet again Deadbat, you should have been warned this could happen way before the season tickets went on sale as there was always a good chance we could be promoted. I find it appalling that long standing ST holder who has one of the better seats should be dumped into another area of the ground. At the very least you should have had the pick of the seats available in the South stand and a heavy discount before the renewals started. The Westfield corner is no good for anyone with ill health or mobility issues due to the number and steepness of the steps. It all seems a bit of an after thought by the club the way this situation has been handled not much they can do about Premier league rules but much more could have been done to let people know well in advance that their seats were at risk to give them a chance of working out the best course of action. Saying we don't have much left so we are dumping you into another part of the ground really is not good enough.

 

[S64 Blade]

I do feel for you Deadbat and being on the South Stand myself, would be pissed off if I was moved to the corner stand (good view or not).

The club’s hands are largely tied, yes. However from what you’ve said they have dealt with and communicated this badly. People are quite precious about their seats as a minimum and the club have failed to take this into account in how they have informed you.

I think as a minimum they should be compensating you much better for needing to move. I’d go as far as to say all your season ticket cost reimbursed. Or 50% back and a 50% discount on the following season, should you renew.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

I've seen copies of pictures taken of a letter sent by the club to a few fans informing them that their season ticket seats are being moved from the South stand to the Upper tier. This comes with a £50 voucher.

Some are up in arms. "Write to the star" says one individual.

It's to make way for the media centre stuff I think. Has it affected anyone on here?

 

[S64 Blade]

Woop-woop! That’s the sound of da thread Police.

 

[metalblade]

You just got back from abroad?

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

It's a grumble!.... - South Stand ticket move & press box

It’s a shit situation that has been handled appallingly. I wonder if Rooks Mick Rooker is able to help, or facilitate a meeting for you? I’d be heartily pissed off if I was moved from my seat, especially to a totally different area of the ground. As far as I was aware some of the director’s box...

www.s24su.com

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

It's kind of catch 22 for the club, season ticket renewals were sorted before Prem status and even when promotion was secured, the club might not have been aware that further 'requirements' would mean some losing their seats.

They really are in a no win situation unfortunately and have probably tried to make the best of it but I think a 50% refund would have been a nice gesture. Communication, as ever, could have been better by the sounds of it and yes, a phone call to discuss it would have been the bare miunimum I would have thought.

 

[Blade56]

You just got back from abroad?

Or the moon

 

[jt64]

Why wasn't I given priority over previously unsold South Stand seats, before they were sold out to new season ticket holders?

Were any seats sold to new season ticket holders after we knew for sure we had been promoted? As far as I remember they went off sale before the Ipswich game, so unless the club held tickets back for something that might need to be done in the event promotion happened then I don't know what you can do, and personally I'd rather have any seat in the corner rather than the worst seats in the South (DB's uncle's mobility issues aside), which I would imagine would be the last few hundred seats to be shifted

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

Or Barnsley

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Couldn't SUFC just say No! to Sky? What would Sky do?

 

[stringer]

Couldn't SUFC just say No! to Sky? What would Sky do?

Nothing to do with Sky

 

[blade too long]

It's premier league rules and standards.
Bournemouth lost 200 off their already small capacity so a larger percentage were affected

 

[Rodders]

It's premier league rules and standards.
Bournemouth lost 200 off their already small capacity so a larger percentage were affected

Deadbat should count himself lucky really.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Ring the ticket office and explain about your Uncle.
They might relax their North Korean stance rules of must have a child on the John St for you.
Good luck and all the best to your Uncle.

 

[Selly]

I can only really echo what others have said - I, like you, would be livid - it isn`t the fact that I have to move - or indeed that I'm moving to a different stand - its the fact that it is permanent.

I'd be seeking to open a dialogue immediately, but you need to concentrate on what is realistically achievable - the club aren`t going to kick anyone else out of their seat (and were I in your position I wouldn`t want them to) - the dispute here is between you and the club and you shouldn`t pull anyone else into it.

I'd personally be seeking the following

1. The offer of the difference in price is not even negotiable - you are not receiving what you paid for and are now being given something of lesser value
2. I'd be asking for visibility of all spare seats to establish if there are any more suited to you and your uncle in the short term. Even if these are in the SS, I'd be seeking an agreement as per point 4 below
3. Then you need to move onto the point of recompense for inconvenience (especially as this is a completely avoidable scenario on the clubs part). £50 to spend in the shop is a derisory offer, given, as you have said, this is (as presented) a permanent move. I'd be seeking significantly more - either in the form of a much larger refund in the cost of your ST, or perhaps the club could offer you and your Uncle a couple of matches in the Platinum Suite on a gratis basis.
4. Finally, (with credit to nopigfansintown ), I'd be seeking a permanent and ongoing agreement that all seats that are free in the South Stand are offered to yourself and your Uncle to move to on a first refusal basis. This incorporates all seats prior to ST renewal period, and any unrenewed seats before they go on General Sale.

 

[Woodys Thunderbolt]

Westfield Upper best seats in the house.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Deadbat hope you get a good outcome to this sorry mess.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Just for info. The club has South Stand seats held back and used occasionally for guests, maybe players' family, friends, other visitors.

Two in front of me. Be careful what you wish for!!!

 

[blade too long]

I wonder if Wednesday had the same problem how they would have dealt with it.
I wonder if someone had bought an early bird st and they moved them it would not have surprised me if they had charged those moved the phase 3 price and asked them for another 80 quid

 

[Tapton Blade]

I know of spare seats on the South stand at the end of the season where people moved and the sale of tickets ended. Maybe they have all been allocated to friends and family of the club. I would have thought these would have been offered to you first. Hope you get sorted out.

 

[LS16Blade]

Sympathies, Deadbat.

As others have said, the Lane end upper tier is arguably the best view in the ground, but that really isn't the point. A big part of being a season ticket holder is ensuring that you sit exactly where you want to and, in many cases, where you've been for years. It may sound strange but, for me, it would change the whole match day experience if I had to start going in a different part of the ground after many years. And not for the better, either. It can be bad enough when you get a different crowd turning up around our usual seats for League Cup games when the other stands are shut.

As for alternatives, I find it hard to believe that there aren't seats available in the South Stand, if the club was prepared to try hard enough. I sit Gangway C about 2/3rds of the way back in the South (just about in the 'safe' zone by the sounds of it) and there are seats that have been unoccupied literally every match for years. When I've tried to buy them for family members, though, I'm always told that they've been sold as season tickets. The Ticket Office seem not to be interested in the fact that prime centre stand seats has been unused for seasons. Dead men don't need season tickets.

On a more mournful note, I can't help feeling that this is the first inkling of the invidious effect of the Premier League. We have the club having to expand the media box in order to accommodate extra media who, in all likelihood, are going to be writing uncomplimentary things about us, and in the process the club is upsetting a significant number of our core fans.

And, of course, the kicker is that there's a reasonable chance of that new expanded media facility not being required in the future/the season after next but in the meantime we may possibly have alienated some loyal Blades fans through the actions forced on us by the PL.

 

[South Bucks]

Suggest to the club they give you a couple of the seats just in front of the boxes on John Street and to write to the owners of the box this needs to be done.

 

[S1blade]

Fully sympathise with Deadbat's situation; like him and others, I'd be gutted if I had to move from my regular seat and view after years.

Given the (likely) unique situation of Deadbat and his uncle, if I were the club I'd offer them (if they want 'em) two seats in the upper corners of the South Stand executive box, if there are seats available in there. Do the club (and all clubs) keep a number of comp tickets back for matches? It would give Deadbat the 'next best' seat view (albeit slightly lower down) and would a good gesture by the club. Some might say this would be unfair on the other 98 fans who have been displaced, but I'm imagining most will understand the health aspects involved here. Furthermore, given the quality and insight of Deadbat's regular match reports (for how many years now?), I would imagine he'd be a terrific supporter ambassador in that area and a credit to the club.

Hope you get it sorted and there's a happy outcome. UTB

 

[Sheffsteel]

It’s a really unfortunate situation, feel the pain but not sure what the club can do?
Not read every post but instead of complaining I’m sure the club would welcome a solution
And if it’s possibje then surely they will oblige.

 

[MobileBlade]

I wonder if Wednesday had the same problem how they would have dealt with it.
I wonder if someone had bought an early bird st and they moved them it would not have surprised me if they had charged those moved the phase 3 price and asked them for another 80 quid

Its Premier league rules so that is a moot argument.......

 

[Sheffsteel]

Some might say this would be unfair on the other 98 fans who have been displaced, but I'm imagining most will understand the health aspects involved here.

You’re talking about the public so although most will understand you’ll always find some that won’t understand.
What do you do with those that kick off about special treatment towards other Blades and they threaten never to attend anymore games.

That’s the problem with open. honest, reasonable dialogue.
They’ll say they’ve been season ticket holders longer than Deadbat have worse health problems than DB’s uncle and this is blatant favouritism.
Think you’d need a contact within the club who can sort something out in secret but special treatment can create problems if word gets out.

 

[blade too long]

How about a free balti pie at every game
Would that swing it