Tickets

[boo radley]

Now, most people have a gripe now and then about tickets and how they should sell them better. Here's mine.
My lad started Uni at Nottingham in september. He also works in Tesco having got a transfer from the local Tesco where he had a Saturday job during his 6th form years.
So he has not had a season ticket for the last three years, but had a season ticket for the previous five seasons. He has attended games when possible during the last two seasons and some games this. I think most would agree this is a pretty loyal fan.
Now SUFC have an agreement where students at the Sheffield Unis get tickets for certain games for £7. This does not apply to students from other Unis who have to pay £18. These students at Sheffield Unis are not long term fans in general, (although they may become so) but my lad is. They tell me its a partneship with the Unis. My argument is They should extend this to exiled students at other unis who have previously shown their loyalty but it is no longer practical for them to have a season ticket. Now i'm not saying just for those few games that the Sheffield unis get these prices for, it should be for the games that they are able to get home for.

 

[Grecian2000]

Agree entirely.

By and large when you become a student you bugger off to another city/town. This shouldn't stop you being a Blade BUT if the your new local team is offering cheap tickets and you can't afford them for your "proper" team then that is potentially a lifetime supporter being driven away (although driven away is a bit strong).

 

[SwissBlade]

I think its a great idea Boo, to be honest I thought that the deal was for all students, not just Sheffield.

I also wonder what the club are doing with the loyalty point scheme.

The loyalty point system was brought in when demand for tickets was high, but now its almost an irrelvant system as its easy to get tickets (have we sold out away this season?)

But now is the time to really make the loyalty count. United should be playing on the Loyalty system. Using it to push sales up.

I bet the club still believe that next season (when we stay up this year) that we'll be once again pushing for promotion. And why not? This division is poor and with Micky at the helm, bringing Academy players through and wheeling and dealing theres no reason why we shouldn't be.

So for the younger fans like Boo's lad who has shown decent loyalty, make it worth their while. Make people think that there is a long term benefit to supporting the team.

I said before we need to be looking at frequent flyer type schemes, perhaps also using things like mileage as award miles for those fans loyal enough to travel to Bristol, Reading, Portsmouth away on a Tuesday night in February etc.

United need to get schemes running now or we'll lose valuable fans

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Your son is not 'new' business though is he?

Some of those getting the cheap tickets may become long term revenue.

 

[Micalijo]

I think its a great idea Boo, to be honest I thought that the deal was for all students, not just Sheffield.

I also wonder what the club are doing with the loyalty point scheme.

The loyalty point system was brought in when demand for tickets was high, but now its almost an irrelvant system as its easy to get tickets (have we sold out away this season?)

But now is the time to really make the loyalty count. United should be playing on the Loyalty system. Using it to push sales up.

I bet the club still believe that next season (when we stay up this year) that we'll be once again pushing for promotion. And why not? This division is poor and with Micky at the helm, bringing Academy players through and wheeling and dealing theres no reason why we shouldn't be.

So for the younger fans like Boo's lad who has shown decent loyalty, make it worth their while. Make people think that there is a long term benefit to supporting the team.

I said before we need to be looking at frequent flyer type schemes, perhaps also using things like mileage as award miles for those fans loyal enough to travel to Bristol, Reading, Portsmouth away on a Tuesday night in February etc.

United need to get schemes running now or we'll lose valuable fans

Aye, with Micky at the helm everything is good. You are unbelievable Swiss. Collins and Doyle leading the charge to the Premier League - get it on the season ticket sales brochures. Come and watch our ever changing team. How about some free holidays in some canal side developments in Leicester as well with every season ticket bought?

The likes of Foxy don't need any incentives to buy owt though do they?

 

[raul]

With around 10,000 empty seats, I'm wondering what Swiss means by "playing on the loyalty system"?

 

[Mousey]

The problem with this is that these discounted games for Sheffield students normally fall on a weeknight. So how much would it benefit students living away from Sheffield?

 

[Micalijo]

Swiss - push sales of what up? Merchandise? Tickets? How would that work?

If we go down and Chesterfield come up the loyalty system might be needed I suppose. Agree though that it could be changed a bit next term.

 

[richmondblade]

As a student at Sheffield University, I have taken advantage of the £7 matches, and have even brought along some mates who have never had an interest in football, let alone Sheffield United. But they have loved the experience, and now take a keen interest in the Blades.

I completely agree though, that all students should be eligible, as those who come home in the holidays, or even travel back to Sheffield for the match are forced to pay over twice the price. This is not easy on a student budget. I'm lucky, being a lifelong Blades fan, I've actually ended up moving closer to Sheffield, and therefore, its much easier for me to attend matches than it has ever been. :thumbup:

Interesting to note that Wednesday try to undercut us by offering £6 tickets for ALL home matches. Admittedly, its a lesser product that they're offering, but I've yet to meet anyone who's taken them up on that offer. It will be interesting to see the price United charge if (well, probably when) we find ourselves in League 1 next season.

 

[boo radley]

Your son is not 'new' business though is he?

Some of those getting the cheap tickets may become long term revenue.

I did mention that in myOP but its about keeping people as well. Surley the club would like to encourage this so he feels 'proud to be a Blade' and then tells others what a good club to supporters they are.

The problem with this is that these discounted games for Sheffield students normally fall on a weeknight. So how much would it benefit students living away from Sheffield?

I think that the Crystal Palace game was one.
What they should possibly consider is selling a 'Flex Ticket', so he buys a pack of say 5 games at £7 and when he can make it at say short notice the match is not a problem. Remember this is about other too and their may also be other exiled Blades that may require not Necessarily student type £7 tickets but similar package?
He absolutely loved it on saturday( despite the result and £18 cost) and expressed how much he missed it.

 

[SwissBlade]

Aye, with Micky at the helm everything is good. You are unbelievable Swiss. Collins and Doyle leading the charge to the Premier League - get it on the season ticket sales brochures. Come and watch our ever changing team. How about some free holidays in some canal side developments in Leicester as well with every season ticket bought?

The likes of Foxy don't need any incentives to buy owt though do they?

Swiss - push sales of what up? Merchandise? Tickets? How would that work?

If we go down and Chesterfield come up the loyalty system might be needed I suppose. Agree though that it could be changed a bit next term.

You'll notice Mic, that I said that the club will believe all that. I just said that its do-able in this poor division.

The loyalty system should be clearly marketed in a way that shows the loyal fans that we're serious about our ambition. Cardiff pushed the "sell x season tickets" and we'll splash the cash.

The loyalty of the fans in the bad times should be rewarded in the good times.

Whilst we're looking at a drop in average attendancs of 5-8k (off the top of my head) since the PL season, we know that the potential is there for bigger support. But if/ when we reach those heights again (in another 10 years) then the fans that were there on the wet Tuesday night in Feb 2011 should not be forgotten for keeping the support.

As Boo said, his lad is loyal, but money will be an issue for him now that he's at Uni, but he's only down at Nottingham, so its not impossible to make the trip, given a little help from the club - i.e cheaper tickets.

 

[Worksop II]

He also works in Tesco having got a transfer from the local Tesco where he had a Saturday job during his 6th form years.

Is there a sell on clause ?

And if he is gonna be Blade, he should be made to attend these games, character building and all that.

And yes it should be for £7, but to be honest looking at the BLUT the other nite, that, half full of £7 students of whatever ilk would have been beneficial

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

I said before we need to be looking at frequent flyer type schemes, perhaps also using things like mileage as award miles for those fans loyal enough to travel to Bristol, Reading, Portsmouth away on a Tuesday night in February etc.

United need to get schemes running now or we'll lose valuable fans

What about those of us loyal enough to travel long distances to home games?

 

[AlienWoodward]

Agree entirely.

By and large when you become a student you bugger off to another city/town. This shouldn't stop you being a Blade BUT if the your new local team is offering cheap tickets and you can't afford them for your "proper" team then that is potentially a lifetime supporter being driven away (although driven away is a bit strong).

I disagree with that.
When I was building up my "Empire" in the early 80s ,I spent loads of time in other cities,went to watch lots of games that didn't involve united,but ran to the nearest payphone to find out how we had gone on.
I think the problem is these days parents buy the season tickets,so maybe the kids aren't "known" about.
My daughter has had a season ticket since she was five, she never bought a ticket I did that as do all parents. She's now 19 and in Miami ,but never once has anything come through my door to ask why she doesn't attend anymore, tried to chase up the business etc.
Highbury said these kids aren't new business anymore,but that's wrong. They are now away from the purse strings and able to buy their own tickets so should be encouraged to support the club at a reduced rate.
My philosophy as always been 7 quid is better than an empty seat.

 

[BuryStEdmundsBlade]

Now, most people have a gripe now and then about tickets and how they should sell them better. Here's mine.
My lad started Uni at Nottingham in september. He also works in Tesco having got a transfer from the local Tesco where he had a Saturday job during his 6th form years.
So he has not had a season ticket for the last three years, but had a season ticket for the previous five seasons. He has attended games when possible during the last two seasons and some games this. I think most would agree this is a pretty loyal fan.
Now SUFC have an agreement where students at the Sheffield Unis get tickets for certain games for £7. This does not apply to students from other Unis who have to pay £18. These students at Sheffield Unis are not long term fans in general, (although they may become so) but my lad is. They tell me its a partneship with the Unis. My argument is They should extend this to exiled students at other unis who have previously shown their loyalty but it is no longer practical for them to have a season ticket. Now i'm not saying just for those few games that the Sheffield unis get these prices for, it should be for the games that they are able to get home for.

I sent the club an email about this a while ago, I can't remember which game it was for but I was paying a lot more to sit on the Kop on a student ticket than students of Hallam and Sheffield Uni were paying for the BLUT. I did get a reply, but didn't hear what I wanted to hear! They said, they like to keep an close partnership going with the 2 Sheffield Uni's basically and that people will be attracted to come for the odd game at those prices and then come back and maybe they will be a fan for life. Yes, great idea and they should continue to do this but not really fair on exiled Blades at Unis around the country who have a fair distance to travel to get back for home games so the higher ticket cost and the travel makes it very expensive as we all know.
I asked why couldn't they offer it to all students for a few games a season and let them all sit together if they wanted, but nope, no chance of it happening from what they said.

---------- Post added at 08:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 PM ----------

The problem with this is that these discounted games for Sheffield students normally fall on a weeknight. So how much would it benefit students living away from Sheffield?

Fair point but the time I emailed the club about it, it was definitely a saturday afternoon match - I wouldn't have been going if it wasn't for the very reason I cannot make night matches. Any students at Unis close to Sheffield (e.g. Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham) would still be interested in night games possibly, if at such a cheap price.

---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 PM ----------

Having said all of the above, the prices we charge don't seem too bad when you compare it with other clubs!

 

[GlosBlade]

I was surprised to read that the student scheme didn't apply to all students, bad move by United in my opinion, they need to keep hold of the sheffield born fans, I guess they are working on the principal that the long suffering kids that have been going since they were nippers will carry on anyhow, but these days they probably need to make it as attractive as they can.

I also think United should be ramping up the number of loyalty points they give for season tickets and individual matches at the moment, they should be worth double the points lots of us earned in 2006-7 for instance........let the ones who stick with them through the hard times build up their totals quickly....just in case the good times do return someday ! (ps - this is not a dig at anyone that chooses not to go at the moment just a recognition that a loyalty scheme should really reward loyalty through the tough times....i'm not earning any points at the moment due to living overseas but have massive respect for anyone that turns up to watch what sounds like the worst United watching experience for 20-odd years....its bad enough having to endure it on Bladesplayer at the moment )

 

[alcoblade]

I don't think loyalty points would make a difference. If you've stopped going because you're not interested, the promise of easier access in future to something you're not interested in now wouldn't be a big draw, IMHO.

UTB

 

[GlosBlade]

I agree its not going to be the thing that makes you go or not go....but if you are going then the club needs to recognise that 'dedication'

 

[alcoblade]

I agree its not going to be the thing that makes you go or not go....but if you are going then the club needs to recognise that 'dedication'

Don't believe all the negativity fella. I still love going to watch The Blades....

UTB

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Don't United still have cheap season tickets for students? When I was at Sunderland Uni in the mid 90s I got mine for next to nowt. Agreed though they should extend the offer to exiled student Blades.

 

[GlosBlade]

Don't believe all the negativity fella. I still love going to watch The Blades....

UTB

Know what you mean, I was at the Hull game at Christmas, enjoyed every minute of the day (well apart from their last minute winner) .... sadly they are a drug that a lot of us struggle to live without ! UTB

 

[Linz]

I think the reason being that 22 games x £7 = £154

So no student (college, university or otherwise) would end up getting a season ticket. The law of averages dictates that most students go to a University that isn't their own so this price is to attract floating fans who have nowt better to do. I assume the club has assumed that dedicated fans would pay the full whack. Not saying it's right, just trying to understand the thought process. I know my cousin went to Uni up in the North-east, as did Mousey, and both still had season tickets and the club seems to take that for granted as being the norm.

One thing that has been mentioned in the past when speaking with the club is the minefield concerning ticket prices. As someone who works up at the Union, you can even get two prices for tickets up here! £7 if you buy from the Box Office or £5 if you buy a ticket that coincides with a Give It A Go event so I'd hope for more clarity across the board when it comes to ticket pricing and more fairness in the categories.

 

[lenners]

Another ticket idea:
Seeing as thousands of season ticket holders have walked and more are going to, maybe the club should consider sending out member cards to them which can be activated if and when they want to phone up for individual tickets for matches.
Would make it easier if someone can phone up and quote their card number, saving on postage, printing and general faffing at the club end.
More importantly, it gives those fans a bit of plastic similar to a season ticket which they have to hand which may make them more likely to pick up the phone or use the internet to buy an individual ticket.

 

[alcoblade]

Another ticket idea:
Seeing as thousands of season ticket holders have walked and more are going to, maybe the club should consider sending out member cards to them which can be activated if and when they want to phone up for individual tickets for matches.
Would make it easier if someone can phone up and quote their card number, saving on postage, printing and general faffing at the club end.
More importantly, it gives those fans a bit of plastic similar to a season ticket which they have to hand which may make them more likely to pick up the phone or use the internet to buy an individual ticket.

Now that's surely a good idea. The one negative might be that it would encourage those on the edge of buying a season ticket, and that's probably a lot, to not bother ("Hmm, actually I think I'll pick and choose with this").

Worth a try though Leonard.

utb

 

[lenners]

Now that's surely a good idea. The one negative might be that it would encourage those on the edge of buying a season ticket, and that's probably a lot, to not bother ("Hmm, actually I think I'll pick and choose with this").

Worth a try though Leonard.

utb

Only send them out once the season ticket sales are done or the season starts.
Keeps the link with fans, it's a bit like a season ticket, won't cost loads, makes buying and selling tickets easier and keeps that bond there.
Seems to be common sense but then it is SUFC...

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Only send them out once the season ticket sales are done or the season starts.
Keeps the link with fans, it's a bit like a season ticket, won't cost loads, makes buying and selling tickets easier and keeps that bond there.
Seems to be common sense but then it is SUFC...

And as it is easy to buy things off the net these days we should be able to pay online and the plastic card could be loaded with the game same as cup matches are with season tickets?

Brilliant idea lenners, take a bow.

 

[Deleted member 1486]

I think the reason being that 22 games x £7 = £154

So no student (college, university or otherwise) would end up getting a season ticket. The law of averages dictates that most students go to a University that isn't their own so this price is to attract floating fans who have nowt better to do. I assume the club has assumed that dedicated fans would pay the full whack. Not saying it's right, just trying to understand the thought process. I know my cousin went to Uni up in the North-east, as did Mousey, and both still had season tickets and the club seems to take that for granted as being the norm.

One thing that has been mentioned in the past when speaking with the club is the minefield concerning ticket prices. As someone who works up at the Union, you can even get two prices for tickets up here! £7 if you buy from the Box Office or £5 if you buy a ticket that coincides with a Give It A Go event so I'd hope for more clarity across the board when it comes to ticket pricing and more fairness in the categories.

It's not every game though is it? I have a leaflet somewhere and according to that the only game there's an (£7) offer on is the game against Forest on March 8th.

I went to the (Sheffield) Union before the Reading game to get tickets, as that was advertised as being a £5 game for students, apparently United hadn't sent them any tickets for the rearranged fixture, which is why they didn't bother advertising it anywhere!

 

[shorehamview]

The likes of Foxy don't need any incentives to buy owt though do they?

You mean people who support their team, despite being well aware of all the shortcomings and failings?

As opposed to the likes of those who need every bribe going to get their feckless arses out of bed on a Saturday?

 

[raul]

Another ticket idea:
Seeing as thousands of season ticket holders have walked and more are going to, maybe the club should consider sending out member cards to them which can be activated if and when they want to phone up for individual tickets for matches.
Would make it easier if someone can phone up and quote their card number, saving on postage, printing and general faffing at the club end.
More importantly, it gives those fans a bit of plastic similar to a season ticket which they have to hand which may make them more likely to pick up the phone or use the internet to buy an individual ticket.

I'd make use of that Leonard.

 

[shorehamview]

Another ticket idea:
Seeing as thousands of season ticket holders have walked and more are going to, maybe the club should consider sending out member cards to them which can be activated if and when they want to phone up for individual tickets for matches.
Would make it easier if someone can phone up and quote their card number, saving on postage, printing and general faffing at the club end.
More importantly, it gives those fans a bit of plastic similar to a season ticket which they have to hand which may make them more likely to pick up the phone or use the internet to buy an individual ticket.

This is a good idea, but there are a couple of flaws in there.

Which seat will it be for? If it's a "pay as you go" or "pick and choose" kind of season ticket, where you only pay for the matches you want where do you stand if the club sells your seat before you decide that you'd like to go for that match? Or would the cards be for a non-specific seat, so when you buy your match ticket the club say "that's £20 sir, and your seat will be row A number 222, right at the front of the Kop on the far right." You'll want to sit in the same seat you always use. Well, not always - you only go to the big matches, or when you can make it to Sheffield, or the cheap ones, or Tuesday night ones,

I can see that it would be a good idea in principle, but will the club reserve seats that have not been paid for? If you go to the ticket office without one of these cards and ask to buy seats 100 and 101 you are going to be pretty miffed when they tell you that you can't have those because Mr. Smith, with his membership card, sometimes has those seats even though they've not been bought for the visit of Lickey End Wanderers he might want to pay for them on Saturday, so you'll have to pick two others, sorry. No, not those two either - they're reserved too.

It is a good idea, but it needs working on properly. Given the effort there's no reason why a scheme like this shouldn't run smoothly. Another one for Mr. Batho methinks.