David Luker takes control.

[Scudamore]

Hmph, he hasn't replied to my lengthy rant about music being played after goals yet.

 

Admittedly I did send it the day before we went into administration, but that's not the point, surely ?

 

Good point. I sent an email to the old regime that came up a little short on the reply front.

 

Let's try that again!

[JRM]

The club love to tell us to "Get behind the team", but have made every effort to kill off one of the most popular and atmospheric parts of the ground, p******g off long standing and loyal fans.

 

 

Only one word for it , hypocritical, they should just come out and admit they want the whole ground to be sat down jester hat wearing face painted families clapping along to the lovely music played out on the tannoy. Just hope this 5 year plan works, we get back to the top flight, ground sells out again, open up the corners then everyone go back there and stand, sing and give the jobsworth stewards as hard a time as possible.

[chi saint]

My hunch is overcrowding. I have a ST in the Itchen North and there was a tendency earlier on in the season for fans without the right tickets (wrong seat numbers/row but correct block) to flock there and people with the right tickets to be crowded out (exacerbated by the surprisingly big attendances for matches like Brentford).

 

Needless to say there was quite a bit of aggro as a result of this game of musical chairs - hence Luker's actions (I generally think he's a good and committed bloke).

 

Of course, the problem could have been avoided by opening/freeing up the back few rows which had been sanctuary for people with and without the right tickets who only wanted a common place to stir up some atmosphere.

 

Don't take it personally, unless you are of course one of the mongs who can't read a ticket stub.

 

Someone sitting in my seat will be politely advised as to where their correct seat is. The idea that over crowding is an issue is frankly a joke. You know that it's tw*ts trying to be different and break the rules.

 

Simple solution, check them, ban them no ifs or buts they can get lost.

[dune]

This would be the same David Luker that requested a reduced allocation from Norwich the season we sneaked into the play-offs. On that occasion there was no guarenteed sale clause so there was no chance of Saints having to foot the bill for any tickets unsold. We got 1400 tickets when we could've sold 3000+.

 

This would be the same David Luker who had the brainwave of making fans pre register an interest in away tickets. Talk about wanting to make fans jump through hoops.

 

And the same David Luker that decided to charge fans to use the car park if they were travelling to Pompey on the supporters coaches the season we went down.

 

It's hardly surprising David Luker is behind this latest air brained scheme.

[shurlock]

Don't take it personally, unless you are of course one of the mongs who can't read a ticket stub.

 

Someone sitting in my seat will be politely advised as to where their correct seat is. The idea that over crowding is an issue is frankly a joke. You know that it's tw*ts trying to be different and break the rules.

 

Simple solution, check them, ban them no ifs or buts they can get lost.

 

No offense taken - basically you've got a situation in the Itchen North where people with season tickets have treated the area like their own backyards for the past few seasons and have been able to sit where they like because of dwindling attendances. And not without reason. Everyone now knows each other and clustering together, especially among the back rows, has added to the atmosphere.

 

All of a sudden this season you have a few new faces turning up with tickets. Since there's plenty of space elsewhere and they have no attachment to a seat (as opposed to block) that's been randomly allocated, they are happy to move. They also know that if they press things they will get told to f**k off or be ignored. And that's the Itchen North in a diplomatic mood.

 

The stewards have no interest in disturbing the peace - they already have a running battle in getting people to sit down which has led to brawls and punch-ups. They now pick their fights more wisely. The last time a steward did a ticket search, he settled with asking fans if they were in the right place, prompting the no-brainer yes.

 

So, by turning a blind eye, overcrowding has been a factor. No doubt, reducing the numbers in the Itchen North also makes it easier for stewards to control and keep people seated - in no other part of the ground is seating a problem. Unfortunately, the cost is a loss of atmosphere.

[Vershinin]

best part of the ground a few seasons ago, ruined now by these stupid rules. In our playoff year the Itchen corner was ****ing great!

[JonnyLove]

right then so I have gone through the whole thread and all I can find is one bloke stating that this is fact without any official word from the club or how you came across this information. (Unless I missed that bit).

 

So just out of interest if I haven't missed anything. What you on about and can you back it up with some hard evidence.

[saintwarwick]

I have you muppet and await a response. But thanks for the advice "Ribbo" (your real name or are you faceless?)

 

And we await a response from you, have you heard from DL yet?

[aintforever]

Making an area Season Ticket only does seem a strange thing to do. I can't see any logical reason.

 

Sometimes I wonder about the people at SFC, you wouldn't expect a company to treat their customers in this way. If the ST only thing is true the very least they could do is announce it before people fork out their cash and give good reason for it.

[astrasri]

Without reading all this thread all the way through when did this start? I have a season ticket in the Northam and every match I have sat next to different persons on each side, which doesn't indicate to me that they have seson tickets.

[Wes Tender]

Without reading all this thread all the way through when did this start? I have a season ticket in the Northam and every match I have sat next to different persons on each side, which doesn't indicate to me that they have seson tickets.

 

The thread's about Itchen North, not the Northam. Most of the Northam happens to be taken by ST holders apart from a few single seat spaces, but even if one has the occasional different person sat next to you there, it could be that the ST holder couldn't attend and gave the ticket to a friend.

[JonnyLove]

Ok again has anyone got any actual proof this is the case

[Wade Garrett]

This would be the same David Luker that requested a reduced allocation from Norwich the season we sneaked into the play-offs. On that occasion there was no guarenteed sale clause so there was no chance of Saints having to foot the bill for any tickets unsold. We got 1400 tickets when we could've sold 3000+.

 

This would be the same David Luker who had the brainwave of making fans pre register an interest in away tickets. Talk about wanting to make fans jump through hoops.

 

And the same David Luker that decided to charge fans to use the car park if they were travelling to Pompey on the supporters coaches the season we went down.

 

It's hardly surprising David Luker is behind this latest air brained scheme.

 

He's done a lot of good things as well, believe me.

[Danny]

Ok again has anyone got any actual proof this is the case

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/4663084.Saints_trying_to_revive_the_spirit_of_St_Mary_s/

 

Kind of makes the initial post look like a massive over reaction, IMO.

[ottery st mary]

Nothing but praise for Mr Luker.....Top class pro and doing a brilliant job for Saints fans. In his position...you'll not get better.

A real gentleman as well..........Like me really.

[OldNick]

Nothing but praise for Mr Luker.....Top class pro and doing a brilliant job for Saints fans. In his position...you'll not get better.

A real gentleman as well..........Like me really.

He's a relative of yours isn't he?

[The Tango Man]

This must be the same Mr Luker that allows supporter groups to fold , with no support from the club , and the same Mr Luker who never responded to emails either personal or via the clubs oficial web site , despite is saying we will will reply within 3 days....

[ottery st mary]

He's a relative of yours isn't he?

 

 

Now....Uncle Nick.....don't get jealous about my favourite Unc;)

 

By the way....I believe Uncle Luke..always replies to his emails.

[The Rover]

This must be the same Mr Luker that allows supporter groups to fold , with no support from the club , and the same Mr Luker who never responded to emails either personal or via the clubs oficial web site , despite is saying we will will reply within 3 days....

 

How is David Luker responsible for supporter groups? I've not heard of any groups folding but if they have it will be down to organisation and lack of support from fans not the club. Luker's job is to run the ticket office not the fan base.

 

I've sent several emails to him, some in previous years questioning ticket pricing. His replies have never been anything other than prompt and courteous so I can't understand your problem.

[St. Jason]

Or maybe someone could just email David Luker and ask him about this decision. It's one thing slagging the guy off on a message board, and other thing entirely to try and ascertain a few facts.

 

It might just be that he's just carrying out someone else's instructions?

 

Why should we consult with Lucker, he hasn't given us any respect by consulting with us, the paying customer. He's just closed the opportunity of purchasing tickets for our guests in this corner!!

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

Why should we consult with Lucker, he hasn't given us any respect by consulting with us, the paying customer. He's just closed the opportunity of purchasing tickets for our guests in this corner!!

 

I guess that's because he doesn't have your personal email address or phone number, or those of the hundreds of other fans you wish he would consult.

If you think that David Luker has done all of this completely off his own bat, then you are deluded. I suggest you write to Andy Oldknow rather that DL as I suspect he may well be the driving force behind this.

[diggers]

To be frank, I was moved from block 2 to block 4, now sit/stand in my own st seat in row dd, sing all game, yesterday, despite the lack of walk ups, I think the atmosphere in the I.N was the best all season, - well in the second half at least.

[St. Jason]

I guess that's because he doesn't have your personal email address or phone number, or those of the hundreds of other fans you wish he would consult.

If you think that David Luker has done all of this completely off his own bat, then you are deluded. I suggest you write to Andy Oldknow rather that DL as I suspect he may well be the driving force behind this.

 

Yes, the club do have my address, phone number and e-mail address!!!!!!

 

I thought David Luker was head of supporters services so it would surely make sense, as a supporter, with a supporter related issue to contact the head of supporter services?? If not, what's to point in having a 'Head of Supporter Services'???

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

Yes, the club do have my address, phone number and e-mail address!!!!!!

 

I thought David Luker was head of supporters services so it would surely make sense, as a supporter, with a supporter related issue to contact the head of supporter services?? If not, what's to point in having a 'Head of Supporter Services'???

 

That's a cogent argument but what is being proposed is an operational matter, and we have a Director of Operations.

[St. Jason]

That's a cogent argument but what is being proposed is an operational matter, and we have a Director of Operations.

 

We can argue all day splitting hairs and still get nowhere, from my point of view as a supporter I should contact the 'The Head of Supporter Services' as such and with it being a ticket inquiry I've sent an e-mail to both the ticket office and the 'Head of Customer Services'.

 

If you have Mr. Oldknow and or Mr. Cortesse's e-mail address I'll happily send them one as well?

 

E-mail sent :-

 

Dear Sir's,

 

I've read with dismay your intention to restrict the Itchen North stand to season ticket holders only. I feel extremely let down and alienated by this decision. I own 2 no. season tickets, 1 for me and one for my son. Evening games I like to take my 8 year old daughter as I can't on Saturdays as she dances. With your new policy it means I can no longer take her,my wife, nephew or niece as they are only occasional fans. Yet again I'm left here thinking 'am I really respected or wanted as a fan'? So by one swift flick of a pen you have lost 4 occasional paying customers, crazy!

 

Jason

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

We can argue all day splitting hairs and still get nowhere, from my point of view as a supporter I should contact the 'The Head of Supporter Services' as such and with it being a ticket inquiry I've sent an e-mail to both the ticket office and the 'Head of Customer Services'.

 

If you have Mr. Oldknow and or Mr. Cortesse's e-mail address I'll happily send them one as well?

 

E-mail sent :-

 

Dear Sir's,

 

I've read with dismay your intention to restrict the Itchen North stand to season ticket holders only. I feel extremely let down and alienated by this decision. I own 2 no. season tickets, 1 for me and one for my son. Evening games I like to take my 8 year old daughter as I can't on Saturdays as she dances. With your new policy it means I can no longer take her,my wife, nephew or niece as they are only occasional fans. Yet again I'm left here thinking 'am I really respected or wanted as a fan'? So by one swift flick of a pen you have lost 4 occasional paying customers, crazy!

 

Jason

 

Following the naming convention at St Mary's, I would suggest aoldknow@saintsfc.co.uk and ncortese@saintsfc.co.uk