A potential PR disaster

[Willie Coulson's Red Cheeks]

The fact that the club has not been open about the number of tickets on offer to Southend supporters raises everyone's suspicions that there has either been a **** up or that we have been stitched up by a bigger club.

SUFC really needs to be transparent with this - either admit there has been a **** up and apologise or explain fully why we don't have the full 15% we are apparently entitled to (if indeed this is the case). There may, after all, be a valid reason. The worst possible scenario is to say nothing because then, unfortunately, the fans will fear the worst. Apologising is never easy but the fans would respect that more than the rather shabby silence we are getting at the moment.

Scriv, I don't know you personally but I know you are a true fan as well as an employee of the club. I spoke to RM at the recent sponsors' evening re the Man U tickets and found him very amenable. He wants what is best for the club, I am sure, and at the moment there is the potential for a PR disaster. The sooner something is said the better and I think RM will want to know that because, at present, he may not as at that evening he was unaware of GK's plan to get everyone to turn up personally for their Man U ticket.

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

We should have intoduced a loyalty scheme this season even for season ticket holders. The more away games you go to the higher priority for away tickets. Even Col United have a 'Match credit' scheme.

This would be a fair system, people that had say been to all away games would have first priority for Spurs tickets and people who had not been away would be last priority. (I would not be in the first priority bracket, but would accept that if someone has been to all away games they deserve a Spurs ticket).

 

[Bigdel]

Have to disagree, as a season ticket holder, I was allways under the impression, that I would be able to get tickets for the bigger games, hence why I buy a ticket year after year in the hope we draw a big club.

The PR side is appalling, I have not had a reply from RM concerning building another barrier on top of a barrier in the family stand, thus restricting my view, I have even offered RM to sit with me and see the way the pitch is obstructed, and yet we still get the dozy stewards letting kids jump the barrier,to get up to the N/Bank

I am sorry to say as the club has got higher it has forgotten its roots,RM is very good on talking the talk on things associated with the future yet fails to address the situation which may/could drive lots of fans away from the glorious new era we hope will happen

I have been a ticket for many years and not the new breed of glory hunters who will stay away next year if we go down

As Scriv stated on here Southend is a business, in that case Southend look after you loyal customers, before they go elsewhere, and start with real information and reply to e mails that are asking simple questions and not looking for an arguement but a fair answer to a fair question

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Quote[/b] (Bigdel @ Nov. 17 2006,20:19)]Have to disagree, as a season ticket holder, I was allways under the impression, that I would be able to get tickets for the bigger games, hence why I buy a ticket year after year in the hope we draw a big club.

That might have held true when we only had 1000 season ticket holders, as with almost every other year.

Unfortunately now our STH numbers are far greater than most away sections in most stadiums - so its not 100% guaranteed any more.

However, its also true to say that if you dont have a season ticket now you have no chance whatsoever of a ticket for the big games.

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Quote[/b] (Spaceman Spiff @ Nov. 17 2006,20:27)]

Quote[/b] (Bigdel @ Nov. 17 2006,20:19)]Have to disagree, as a season ticket holder, I was allways under the impression, that I would be able to get tickets for the bigger games, hence why I buy a ticket year after year in the hope we draw a big club.

That might have held true when we only had 1000 season ticket holders, as with almost every other year.

Unfortunately now our STH numbers are far greater than most away sections in most stadiums - so its not 100% guaranteed any more.

However, its also true to say that if you dont have a season ticket now you have no chance whatsoever of a ticket for the big games.

I think the club are hoping that although the Spurs allocation is less than we have season tickets that not all season ticket holders will be going.  This maybe true but you can bet if a STH is not going they will pass on their ST to a friend.

This match is probably in the top 10 (maybe even top 5) of our all time cup matches, demand for tickets is bound to be high.

 

[Beefy]

Some sort of system that gives priority for season ticket holders who have been to most of the away matches over season ticket holders who have not been to any away games would be an idea, but that sort of thing would have to be introduced at the start of a season, not half-way through. I doubt theres a way to make it anything other than an administrative nightmare though and still people wouldn't be happy. I've been to three away matches so far this season but two of them were the London games. Would that make me more worthy or less worthy of a Spurs ticket than someone who has been to only Wolves and Leeds, for example?

 

[The Watermill Wino]

A pal of mine was at the ticket office today and asked about the Spurs tickets while he was there. If true what he said then we have 2600, offered 6000 paid up front but We went for the first option.
Also heard that Gutts was on loan to Borient till Jan, a point I thought was a wind up until I heard that The Mac was back.

We'll soon find out , I guess?

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Nov. 17 2006,20:36)]Some sort of system that gives priority for season ticket holders who have been to most of the away matches over season ticket holders who have not been to any away games would be an idea, but that sort of thing would have to be introduced at the start of a season, not half-way through. I doubt theres a way to make it anything other than an administrative nightmare though and still people wouldn't be happy. I've been to three away matches so far this season, for example, but two of them were the London games. Would that make me more worthy or less worthy of a Spurs ticket than someone who has been to only Wolves and Leeds, for example?

Yep can't do it now, which is why I said 'we should have intoduced a scheme'. Don't think it matters if the games you have been to are local or not, you have been to 3 away games and should have priority over someone who has been to zero. No one can argue with that? seems to work o.k. for most other clubs.

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Quote[/b] (The Watermill Wino @ Nov. 17 2006,20:37)]A pal of mine was at the ticket office today and asked about the Spurs tickets while he was there. If true what he said then we have 2600, offered 6000 paid up front but We went for the first option.
Also heard that Gutts was on loan to Borient till Jan, a point I thought was a wind up until I heard that The Mac was back.

We'll soon find out , I guess?

Probably won't tell us how many tickets we have got for Spurs. Like they didn't tell 4,000 people that there were only 2,104 tickets on general sale for Man United match. Just stated there would not be enough for all the Hull voucher holders.

It's going to be worse this time around for season ticket holders at least we could wait until the 2/3rd day to get our Man United tickets. This time we will have to be there on the Weds. Sleeping bags ready?

 

[Shrimperstrust]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Nov. 17 2006,20:36)]Some sort of system that gives priority for season ticket holders who have been to most of the away matches over season ticket holders who have not been to any away games would be an idea, but that sort of thing would have to be introduced at the start of a season, not half-way through. I doubt theres a way to make it anything other than an administrative nightmare though and still people wouldn't be happy. I've been to three away matches so far this season but two of them were the London games. Would that make me more worthy or less worthy of a Spurs ticket than someone who has been to only Wolves and Leeds, for example?

The Trust did suggest to the Club before this season started about the feasability of introducing an 'Away Travel Club' because of the potential problems in getting Away Tickets for several of this seasons matches where the Away Allocation was very low.
It appears in hindsight thay maybe the Club should of listened to our concerns and acted accordingly.

 

[Bielzibubz]

Because you are a season card holder that happens to have a job that allows you to afford to go to away games week in week out does NOT make you a more loyal supporter than lets say someone like myself, who although a season card holder cannot attend that many away games due to finances and work commitments.

Supporter loyalty, and thus preference for high profile tickets, is not, and should not be based on a supporters financial ability to attend away games.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Nov. 17 2006,21:06)]Because you are a season card holder that happens to have a job that allows you to afford to go to away games week in week out does NOT make you a more loyal supporter than lets say someone like myself, who although a season card holder cannot attend that many away games due to finances and work commitments.

Supporter loyalty, and thus preference for high profile tickets, is not, and should not be based on a supporters financial ability to attend away games.

But that's just my opinion.

Look at most Prem and Championship clubs and they have such schemes in place. They have decided it is the best way to distribute limited ticket allocatons.  Even or own Shrimperstrust thinks we should have some sort of priority system.

I would not be high up the 'loyalty' list this season either, even though I have been to many games in my 'career'.

 

[Beefy]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Nov. 17 2006,21:06)]Because you are a season card holder that happens to have a job that allows you to afford to go to away games week in week out does NOT make you a more loyal supporter than lets say someone like myself, who although a season card holder cannot attend that many away games due to finances and work commitments.

Supporter loyalty, and thus preference for high profile tickets, is not, and should not be based on a supporters financial ability to attend away games.

But that's just my opinion.

An opinion I happen to share. However you can (and I did several times last season), make the same arguement about season ticket holders getting priority over non-seasos who go every game and who actually put more money into the club over the year but who can't, for financial reasons or whatever, hand over £380 quid in May or June.

 

[Bielzibubz]

Quote[/b] (Up the Shrimps @ Nov. 17 2006,21:14)]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Nov. 17 2006,21:06)]Because you are a season card holder that happens to have a job that allows you to afford to go to away games week in week out does NOT make you a more loyal supporter than lets say someone like myself, who although a season card holder cannot attend that many away games due to finances and work commitments.

Supporter loyalty, and thus preference for high profile tickets, is not, and should not be based on a supporters financial ability to attend away games.

But that's just my opinion.

Look at most Prem and Championship clubs and they have such schemes in place. They have decided it is the best way to distribute limited ticket allocatons. Even or own Shrimperstrust thinks we should have some sort of priority system.

I would not be high up the 'loyalty' list this season either, even though I have been to many games in my 'career'.

I know the Trust have put forward this idea in the past.

I sit on the Trust committee but this is one position we happen disagree on. (I think I'm in the minority of one)

If it's supporter loyalty that is to dictate away ticket allocation why not do it on the amount of times a season card has been renewed over the years? Obviously with the same surname!.........................I'm kidding btw.

 

[The Late One]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Nov. 17 2006,21:06)]Because you are a season card holder that happens to have a job that allows you to afford to go to away games week in week out does NOT make you a more loyal supporter than lets say someone like myself, who although a season card holder cannot attend that many away games due to finances and work commitments.

Supporter loyalty, and thus preference for high profile tickets, is not, and should not be based on a supporters financial ability to attend away games.

But that's just my opinion.

But the point here is that there are not enough tickets for all the STH, so without using the old "loyal supporter" argument who is more deserving somebody who goes to 23 home games a season or people who attend both home and away. If you cannot attend away games due to lack of finance, can I borrow your ST on Wednesday

It would not have been difficult to put a process in place that rewarded STH's who had attended particular matches as they have most of that data at their fingertips. They could have easily used Col Ewe as a starting point. It is worth pointing out however that it was the Trust that came up with the arrangements for the Col Ewe ticketing (i.e. stubs from Burnley or Leeds).

But then again another way of looking at it is that as long as the tickets are sold it does not matter who gets them - not my opinion I must add

What would happen if we won at Tottenham ?
Shambles Part III

 

[Jonesy]

The club really need to consider that not only does it now have a large number of season ticket holders but also a large number of non season ticket holders who have perhaps supported the club for many years now. The Man U situation was not good, I queued for 5 and 1/2 hours and got a ticket, many didn't, I took a day off work, can't do so again and am not prepared to waste several hours queueing anymore. I work with many supporters from other club's(not all premiership) who couldn't believe that seson ticket holders also had to turn up and queue for hours. Like I also mentioned in another post the FA cup draw for the 3rd round is also fast approaching.....still never mind at least I've got some Christmas time off available to queue ....Dear Santa please can I have a sleeping bag and tent this Christmas  

Come on Southend you've had fantastic support....listen to the supporters, I've read some good ideas on Shrimper Zone over the past few weeks. More deserve the chance to go to Spurs (with minimum queues).

 

[Bielzibubz]

Or how about they just put them on sale to season card holders regardless. Phone orders as well. Details can be verified against visa/credit card details held on file.

Extra phone lines installed as a one off. A one off freephone telephone number supplied by BT. Extra persons to man those phone lines. Extra staff and extended hours at the club shop.

Yes. some would miss out but whether you did or not would depend on your commitment to hanging on the end of a phone or queueing for a time.

 

[Mick]

Quote[/b] (The Late One @ Nov. 17 2006,21:32)]What would happen if we won at Tottenham ?
Shambles Part III

...... and Part IV (two legs)

 

[The Late One]

Quote[/b] (D62SUBOY @ Nov. 17 2006,21:41)]Or how about they just put them on sale to season card holders regardless. Phone orders as well. Details can be verified against visa/credit card details held on file.

Extra phone lines installed as a one off. A one off freephone telephone number supplied by BT. Extra persons to man those phone lines. Extra staff and extended hours at the club shop.

Yes. some would miss out but whether you did or not would depend on your commitment to hanging on the end of a phone or queueing for a time.

So the Roots Hall ST "ravens" are classed the same as fans who have gone to Bournemouth & Leeds midweek in the earlier rounds.

If finance was a problem then it would still be a problem...
Bournemouth ticket £13 coach £17 = £30
Leeds United ticket £12 coach £22 = £34
Tottenham ticket £20 coach £12 = £32
so what has changed unless the "ravens" are leaving the Hall (it will fall down) for a glory match


N.B. All coach prices are for adult Trust numbers

 

[Shrimperstrust]

Quote[/b] (The Late One @ Nov. 17 2006,21:32)]It would not have been difficult to put a process in place that rewarded STH's who had attended particular matches as they have most of that data at their fingertips. They could have easily used Col Ewe as a starting point. It is worth pointing out however that it was the Trust that came up with the arrangements for the Col Ewe ticketing (i.e. stubs from Burnley or Leeds).

Indeed we did. The relevant piece can be found in Section 11 of the Liason Minutes dated 20th September which can be found on the Trust Website here.