Season Ticket Sales...

[derry]

After taking 50,000+ to Wembley and several sell outs I suspect the club have worked out and possibly gambled on the anticipated success of a top team in the league, that the random supporter filling the stadium on a sporadic basis rather than the same ones every week will bring in greater revenue. Provided the team is at the top of the league and regularly winning well, the club could well have a point. Time will tell.

[slickmick]

After taking 50,000+ to Wembley and several sell outs I suspect the club have worked out and possibly gambled on the anticipated success of a top team in the league, that the random supporter filling the stadium on a sporadic basis rather than the same ones every week will bring in greater revenue. Provided the team is at the top of the league and regularly winning well, the club could well have a point. Time will tell.

 

 

Now from a marketing point of view, wouldn't it have been better to start selling season tickets at the same time we got to Wembley ?

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Maybe we could get a poll on this subject.

It seems DBP is in the corner on his own on this one, but I know of 4 who don't look at this site or the official site and think its been very poorly handled by the club.

 

If you actually go back through the threads, its actually the same 6 or 7 people who are shouting up in defence of Cortese, if you take them out of the equation then the threads tell a different story, and the reaction to how fans are being treated are mixed.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Just been in the Megastore and I was taken aside by a security guard. He said that we had sold 11067 season tickets by 10th this morning. HTH

[NickG]

If you actually go back through the threads, its actually the same 6 or 7 people who are shouting up in defence of Cortese, if you take them out of the equation then the threads tell a different story, and the reaction to how fans are being treated are mixed.

 

 

Don't think people are defending Cortesse, just you reading too much into things - some battle of principal between you and Cortesse - which you will lose on the basis that he neither knows nor cares about you!!!

[100%Red&White]

Just been in the Megastore and I was taken aside by a security guard. He said that we had sold 11067 season tickets by 10th this morning. HTH

 

IF true they've got another 3 weeks to get it up to last season's total (around 13,500) before the ticket office window slams shut til next summer.

 

Unless some big signing is in waiting it probably wont happen.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Just been in the Megastore and I was taken aside by a security guard. He said that we had sold 11067 season tickets by 10th this morning. HTH

 

From what appears to be a lack of marketing by the club I think that's good.

 

Imagine what it would have been like if they had pushed them! But then, as DBP says, maybe they don't want that many sold and are relying on ad-hoc per match sales at premium prices.

[trousers]

Just ordered mine. Had to wait for my new Halifax credit card to come through. (11 months interest free) Works out better for me than the installment plan. Just have to find a card with a similar deal for next season. Happy days COYR

 

Nice one....you make it all sound so simple.....

[Weston Saint]

After taking 50,000+ to Wembley and several sell outs I suspect the club have worked out and possibly gambled on the anticipated success of a top team in the league, that the random supporter filling the stadium on a sporadic basis rather than the same ones every week will bring in greater revenue. Provided the team is at the top of the league and regularly winning well, the club could well have a point. Time will tell.

Agree with this. Something we have discussed recently.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

After taking 50,000+ to Wembley and several sell outs I suspect the club have worked out and possibly gambled on the anticipated success of a top team in the league, that the random supporter filling the stadium on a sporadic basis rather than the same ones every week will bring in greater revenue. Provided the team is at the top of the league and regularly winning well, the club could well have a point. Time will tell.

 

They would have a point if we were in the Premier League where we could indeed probably make more money from ad-hoc buyers.

 

But just incase anyone was not aware, we are not in the Premier League... we're in League 1.

[Thedelldays]

didnt stu say that we would be lucky to get 9000 ST sales..?

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Just been in the Megastore and I was taken aside by a security guard. He said that we had sold 11067 season tickets by 10th this morning. HTH

 

 

It is funny that such is the blind love for Cortese, several people have taken your blatantly sarcastic post as gospel.

[Weston Saint]

They would have a point if we were in the Premier League where we could indeed probably make more money from ad-hoc buyers.

 

But just incase anyone was not aware, we are not in the Premier League... we're in League 1.

And we hade a few goods league gates on some success. If we are at the top early on that will generate interest and gates will rise.

[trousers]

Just been in the Megastore and I was taken aside by a security guard. He said that we had sold 11067 season tickets by 10th this morning. HTH

 

Cynic alert.....(and possible "whooossshhh" moment....)

 

How would a security guard know how many season tickets have been sold?

 

Still, if true, 85% of last seasons total with 3 weeks to go without any overt advertising is pretty good in my book.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

And we hade a few goods league gates on some success. If we are at the top early on that will generate interest and gates will rise.

 

Not to 32,000 it won't... or anywhere near.

[Weston Saint]

Do not judge on how many season tickets sold. Judge on whether gates rise this season over last. That is the measure.

[trousers]

Do not judge on how many season tickets sold. Judge on whether gates rise this season over last. That is the measure.

^

|

|

 

This

[Weston Saint]

Not to 32,000 it won't... or anywhere near.

Who said anything about 32,000! Do you think gates would have been 32,000 with marketing and all the past add on's? Also see my post above

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Do not judge on how many season tickets sold. Judge on whether gates rise this season over last. That is the measure.

 

No it's not.

[Gemmel]

Do not judge on how many season tickets sold. Judge on whether gates rise this season over last. That is the measure.

 

Spot on -but dont think they will be - Happy to be wrong

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Attendances being more next year does not mean that the clubs idea of pushing people to PAYG at premium prices has worked.

 

Attendances SHOULD be significantly more if we are top of the league this season as opposed to last when we never really got within realistic range of promotion.

 

So if average attendances are up... you can't consider that a success.

 

The only way to tell whether it has worked would be for the club to check the people who havent renewed and look up how many games they have been to at the end of next season. If it averages out at more than 15, it's a success... if it averages out at less than 15 = fail.

 

Then you could take a pro-rata amount of say 3k casual fans ( I think this is the minimum amount of extra STH's the club would have attracted with advertising etc ) , and see if they average out at 15 games next season.

[emerson massey]

Then you could take a pro-rata amount of say 3k casual fans ( I think this is the minimum amount of extra STH's the club would have attracted with advertising etc ) , and see if they average out at 15 games next season.

 

I'm sorry, and dont want to be rude/argumentitive, but there is no way there are 3000 people (minimum!) that won't have bought a season ticket simply due to the fact there was no external advertising.

 

A season ticket is not something you pick up on a whim having seen a flyer, or an ad in the echo, but rather something which you would have thought about in advance, at least in most cases. I concur that this could be the case in some situations, but not 3000 (minimum!)

 

Also, we can all debate it as much as we like, this is the clubs policy on season tickets. End of. We either like it or we dont, we either buy or we dont. Apart from maybe 10-15 posters on here, everyone i have spoken to (who does not post on here) does not really have any issues.

 

(I do however agree on the ST installment plan issue, not the fact it has been withdrawn, but in the lack of time to allow people to find alternative methods of payment - please nobody say go get a credit card, because i have tried twice for a 0%, and been turned down twice. But, i digress! )

[saint_mears]

In the current climate anything less than 12,000 and i would question bigtime why

[Sour Mash]

 

It is funny that such is the blind love for Cortese, several people have taken your blatantly sarcastic post as gospel.

 

Yep, just goes to show how clueless so many on here really are.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

I'm sorry, and dont want to be rude/argumentitive, but there is no way there are 3000 people (minimum!) that won't have bought a season ticket simply due to the fact there was no external advertising.

 

A season ticket is not something you pick up on a whim having seen a flyer, or an ad in the echo, but rather something which you would have thought about in advance, at least in most cases. I concur that this could be the case in some situations, but not 3000 (minimum!)

 

Also, we can all debate it as much as we like, this is the clubs policy on season tickets. End of. We either like it or we dont, we either buy or we dont. Apart from maybe 10-15 posters on here, everyone i have spoken to (who does not post on here) does not really have any issues.

 

(I do however agree on the ST installment plan issue, not the fact it has been withdrawn, but in the lack of time to allow people to find alternative methods of payment - please nobody say go get a credit card, because i have tried twice for a 0%, and been turned down twice. But, i digress! )

 

I did put 'etc' on there.....

 

The 'etc' being marketing and fan friendly selling (early bird / installment plan / longer selling window / half season tickets etc ), infact I think thats a bit of a conservative estimate when you add that lot on to zero marketing and advertising.

[MarkSFC]

This forum is probably the perfect example of why Southampton and most clubs wont spend much time or money on "advertising" season tickets.

 

the huge majority of people who go to watch football do so because they are "emotionally attached" to "their team". There is no choice on who their team is. It is this emotional attachment that seperates football form "other liesure activities" (as stated by DBP).

 

The quality of the product (i.e. the first team) is what pre-determines attendance levels and season ticket numbers first and foremost. Last year I believe we had about 12000 full season ticket holders and about 1500 half season. Those half season ticket holders only bought because the team was doing well.....not because it was cheaper than Arsenal, or the Skates...."their team" was doing ok.

 

The pricing of a Season Ticket is not comparable to any other "leisure activity", it is simply a matter for "the fan" to decide if that represents "good value for money" for what he wants to get out of going to watch Saints. Everyones list will be different but the main two will be entertainment and winning. I could go to watch Chelsea or Arsenal for entertainment and winning and so they are competitors in the eye of DBP BUT I do not have the emotional attachment to those teams because that is what football is all about.

 

The "advertising" that Saints should do is with the schools.....market the club and the players even more than they do know. Grab the hearts of the kids and sign them up for a life of supporting Saints. Its at primary and middle school that "the selling" of the club should happen.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Have you done any research Mark that no other clubs do any advertising, offer options such as installment plans, maximise their selling window etc etc etc to maximise sales? Links?

 

I think you are speaking on behalf of yourself, there are many many fans who will only renew/buy if the club approaches them.

 

You might not be able to compare SFC to any other leisure activity, but many people do.

 

Why can't people understand that their way of following SFC is not the only one?!?!?! Jeeeesh...

 

Oh, and my main reasons for going to football are not entertainment and winning, funnily enough, nor are many others... that might sound retarded to you and other uber-fans... but it's a fact.

 

Entertainment and winning are of course a bonus, but they are not the reasons I and many others go to watch Saints.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

 

It is funny that such is the blind love for Cortese, several people have taken your blatantly sarcastic post as gospel.

 

I know, I mean wtf is that about. Muppets.

[MarkSFC]

Have you done any research Mark that no other clubs do any advertising, offer options such as installment plans, maximise their selling window etc etc etc to maximise sales? Links?

 

I think you are speaking on behalf of yourself, there are many many fans who will only renew/buy if the club approaches them.

 

You might not be able to compare SFC to any other leisure activity, but many people do.

 

Why can't people understand that their way of following SFC is not the only one?!?!?! Jeeeesh...

 

Oh, and my main reasons for going to football are not entertainment and winning, funnily enough, nor are many others... that might sound retarded to you and other uber-fans... but it's a fact.

 

Entertainment and winning are of course a bonus, but they are not the reasons I and many others go to watch Saints.

 

You move the goalposts to suit your arguement....advertising is different to marketing. Marketing is installment options, selling window etc. I havent carried out any detailed research and nor shall I. Its obvious to most people. However I will concede that certain people (like yourself) need to feel wanted by their club and if SFC haven't made you feel wanted then it must be their loss.

 

I do agree about the length of the window actually..it probably should have been a bit longer amybe til the end of August. But it is what it is...make a decision.

 

Of course Im speaking on behalf of myself....they are my opinions bsed on my experiences and my knowledge of whatever the subject is. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The issue with some is how they put it across.

You on the other hand DO speak for others in your posts.

 

Im not sure what you mean by "their way of following SFC" and how I have pidgeon-holed it.......please elaborate.

 

If winning and entertainment are not any of your reasons for going to watch Saints what is?

 

I feel sorry for people like you because clearly all you want to do is voice your opinion and moan at every opportunity about the decisions of one man who clearly is far more qualified than a salesman to run our club. I imagine you feel like youve been let down and not given the opportunity to shine and so voicing opinion in the manner you do helps you fell better.

 

Good luck to you...if nothing else, Saints gives you that.

[Weston Saint]

And there you have it. On one hand MarkSFC, a successful business man who was introduced to this forum during his quest, with a few others, to make sure Saints did not go out of business during the early Administration process and enjoys going to football to support the team he loves hoping for entertainment and a winning team or Dave Benson Phillips aka StuRomseySaint who has regularly stated on here that his main enjoyment is getting as much alcohol down his throat on match days (most at local pubs rather than in the ground) and freely admitted that his earnings as a salesman/marketing man or whatever he does now still meant he was initially unable to by a season ticket other than by instalments

 

You have now heard both sides of the argument. Which argument are you more likely to accept.

 

I know which one I support. I suspect Cortese does as well.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Im not sure what you mean by "their way of following SFC" and how I have pidgeon-holed it.......please elaborate.

 

If winning and entertainment are not any of your reasons for going to watch Saints what is?

 

I wasn't moving any goalposts, the club has dont no advertising, nor marketing of the season tickets. Other clubs HAVE... FACT . Don't post assumptions when you haven't even bothered to look at the facts.

 

There are lots of people that will only react to advertising and marketing when it comes to purchasing a season ticket...

 

Why do I go? To meet up with my mates, forget about work, have a few beers and a bit of a laugh, if Saints win then it's a bonus, but it's not what makes me go and watch them... if that was the case I would support Chelsea.

 

I know this is a concept that you uber-fans will not understand... but there are many many people like me.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

And there you have it. On one hand MarkSFC, a successful business man who was introduced to this forum during his quest, with a few others, to make sure Saints did not go out of business during the early Administration process and enjoys going to football to support the team he loves hoping for entertainment and a winning team or Dave Benson Phillips aka StuRomseySaint who has regularly stated on here that his main enjoyment is getting as much alcohol down his throat on match days (most at local pubs rather than in the ground) and freely admitted that his earnings as a salesman/marketing man or whatever he does now still meant he was initially unable to by a season ticket other than by instalments

 

You have now heard both sides of the argument. Which argument are you more likely to accept.

 

I know which one I support. I suspect Cortese does as well.

 

Could you possibly be more stuck up your own arse Ronald? Seriously... ?

 

Seriously, have a read back through your post, you are basically right off what I say because I don't turn up 2 hours before kick-off and then right them off even more based on the fact I said I couldn't afford £400 upfront because of an unexpected bill. ( there is a difference between not having the money in the bank and not having the justification to spend it on football and prioritising )

 

And as for MarkSFC... succesfull businessman? Can you tell us some more, seeing as you know so much? Another Marc Jackson? Because he doesn't come across as the next Alan Sugar when he states on here than NO Saints fans need reminding about buying a season ticket and advertising would not help maximise sales.

Edited 14 July, 2010 by Dave Benson Phillips

[MarkSFC]

I wasn't moving any goalposts, the club has dont no advertising, nor marketing of the season tickets. Other clubs HAVE... FACT . Don't post assumptions when you haven't even bothered to look at the facts.

 

There are lots of people that will only react to advertising and marketing when it comes to purchasing a season ticket...

 

Why do I go? To meet up with my mates, forget about work, have a few beers and a bit of a laugh, if Saints win then it's a bonus, but it's not what makes me go and watch them... if that was the case I would support Chelsea.

 

I know this is a concept that you uber-fans will not understand... but there are many many people like me.

 

There you go again speaking for others. Proof please....quotes or written testamonies will surfice.

 

Yor reason is your reason and thats fine, but if I were you I wouldn't buy a season ticket to meet up with mates, forget about work, have a few beers and a bit of a laugh.....I'd go down the pub like I do anyway. You portray yourself as the big I know it all fan yet when stating your reason for going to watch Saints, any aspect of the team or football doesn't come into it. pathetic. And for once I suspect I AM speaking on behalf of the majority!

 

I go to football to watch the football...and hopefully see my team thrash the opposition. Having a few beers and a laugh with mates is part of it but for 90 minutes it isnt the important bit or the reason I spend the money. If it wasnt Id sit in the pub watching Soccer Saturday.

Edited 14 July, 2010 by MarkSFC
spelling/grammer

[70's Mike]

What happens to gates if we lose the first 3 home games

[Dave Benson Phillips]

There you go again speaking for others. Proof please....quotes or written testamonies will surfice.

 

Yor reason is your reason and thats fine, but if I were you I wouldn't buy a season ticket to meet up with mates, forget about work, have a few beers and a bit of a laugh.....I'd go down the pub like I do anyway. You portray yourself as the big I know it all fan yet when stating your reason for going to watch Saints, any aspect of the team or football doesn't come into it. pathetic. And for once I suspect I AM speaking on behalf of the majority!

 

I go to football to watch the football...and hopefully see my team thrash the opposition. Having a few beers and a laugh with mates is part of it but for 90 minutes it isnt the important bit or the reason I spend the money. If it wasnt Id sit in the pub watching Soccer Saturday.

 

Why don't you run a poll... there are many people like me, there are also many people like you ( unfortunately ) and there are many people who don't look at the club in either of our eyes... understanding that different people have different ways of supporting their club is hardly speaking on behalf of them.

 

And there being lots of people that react to advertising and marketing rather than simply wander up the ticket office is a pretty understandable thing... unless you are just disagreeing for the sake of it.

 

There you go though... rubbishing my opinion because I state that I don't go to football purely to watch Saints win and play good football. You even call the way I support Saints pathetic... LOL - That in itself shows you to be completely stuck up your arse, just because the game is the centrepoint of a social event for me, as opposed to being 100% about the football, it doesn't make you any better supporter than me...

 

I still go to ALOT of games, and in 48 hours time I will be setting off on a 1500 mile roundtrip drive to watch Saints in a pre-season friendly... but yes... I am a crap supporters. No doubt I will see you there though eh?

[eurosaint]

You move the goalposts to suit your arguement....advertising is different to marketing. Marketing is installment options, selling window etc. I havent carried out any detailed research and nor shall I. Its obvious to most people. However I will concede that certain people (like yourself) need to feel wanted by their club and if SFC haven't made you feel wanted then it must be their loss.

 

I do agree about the length of the window actually..it probably should have been a bit longer amybe til the end of August. But it is what it is...make a decision.

 

Of course Im speaking on behalf of myself....they are my opinions bsed on my experiences and my knowledge of whatever the subject is. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The issue with some is how they put it across.

You on the other hand DO speak for others in your posts.

 

Im not sure what you mean by "their way of following SFC" and how I have pidgeon-holed it.......please elaborate.

 

If winning and entertainment are not any of your reasons for going to watch Saints what is?

 

I feel sorry for people like you because clearly all you want to do is voice your opinion and moan at every opportunity about the decisions of one man who clearly is far more qualified than a salesman to run our club. I imagine you feel like youve been let down and not given the opportunity to shine and so voicing opinion in the manner you do helps you fell better.

 

Good luck to you...if nothing else, Saints gives you that.

I'm with you on this one Mark, I cannot see the logic in DBP's argument !

[aintforever]

Have they announced Season Ticket numbers yet?

[derry]

Whilst I empathise with those who are either/both disappointed or disadvantaged by the short notice withdrawal of the instalment plan, I am one of those that it makes no difference to, as I have always paid by credit card and settled the bill before interest kicks in. The consequence for me is I have no problems with the way the club have treated me.

 

To the club the attendance is anonymous so the issue that one person or another occupies a seat is irrelevant. Whether a ST holder from last season who has decided not to renew goes to a match or not, will be an irrelevance to the club. For them the revenue for each match is their only concern. Whether to renew or not, to boycott or not is an issue for the individual.

 

The club is now a private business which runs the club the way it sees fit. Sad to say for the average supporter the club no longer needs the revenue, so the football club supporter needs the club more than the club needs them. If the club's decisions serve the intended purpose, whatever that is, they will be comfortable.

[benjii]

And there you have it. On one hand MarkSFC, a successful business man who was introduced to this forum during his quest, with a few others, to make sure Saints did not go out of business during the early Administration process and enjoys going to football to support the team he loves hoping for entertainment and a winning team or Dave Benson Phillips aka StuRomseySaint who has regularly stated on here that his main enjoyment is getting as much alcohol down his throat on match days (most at local pubs rather than in the ground) and freely admitted that his earnings as a salesman/marketing man or whatever he does now still meant he was initially unable to by a season ticket other than by instalments

 

You have now heard both sides of the argument. Which argument are you more likely to accept.

 

I know which one I support. I suspect Cortese does as well.

 

Dave Romsey Stu knows best about everything and don't forget it. Anyone who disagrees is scared of meeting up for a pint and is a cowardly retard. Disagree? Prove it with research and/or a web link.

[saintrich]

Finally renewing tomorrow (+2 mates) lost my seat as couldn't afford to renew in time, so hopefully there's 3 seats together in a decent part of the ground still.

[hutch]

I think Weston's view is most salient. For the club, as a business, it's not about the number of STs sold, it's about the number of bums on seats at each match.

 

Last season we had c.13,000 STs and an average home gate of 21,000. That's 13,000 at, say, £15 each and 8,000 at £25 each (roughly speaking).

 

This season, with the same average home gate, we might get 10,000 at £15 and 11,000 at £25. Which is the better business?

 

I do expect the average home gate to be higher this season than last, irrespective of ST sales. I expect the management do, too.

 

It's understandable that the new "business first" policy will upset some fans, but that's the future. And if it helps, I don't mind if you change £25 to £28.

[SaintRichmond]

What happens to gates if we lose the first 3 home games

 

No doubt they will attract a lot of dust

 

But YES ..... Losing is the Achilles heel of Cotese's thinking

 

In ANY sport, people follow success

 

If Saints go on a winning run, then the crowds will flock to see them

 

If not, St Mary's will be half empty

 

Cortese is "banking" on the first option

[Chin Strain]

There you go again speaking for others. Proof please....quotes or written testamonies will surfice.

 

Yor reason is your reason and thats fine, but if I were you I wouldn't buy a season ticket to meet up with mates, forget about work, have a few beers and a bit of a laugh.....I'd go down the pub like I do anyway. You portray yourself as the big I know it all fan yet when stating your reason for going to watch Saints, any aspect of the team or football doesn't come into it. pathetic. And for once I suspect I AM speaking on behalf of the majority!

 

I go to football to watch the football...and hopefully see my team thrash the opposition. Having a few beers and a laugh with mates is part of it but for 90 minutes it isnt the important bit or the reason I spend the money. If it wasnt Id sit in the pub watching Soccer Saturday.

 

 

FWIW I'm with Mark on this if that helps towards Stu's poll.

 

I'm in the 'happy with the general way the club is being run, albeit some things could have been done better' camp. Ultimately I will trust Markus / Cortese until I have a genuine reason to doubt him / them. What I don't want is someone telling me what is a genuine reason - I'll make up my own mind thanks.

 

BTW, I did instalments last season, and I'm not bothered that they're not available this season. The two guys I go with also did instalments. They're not bothered either. We did it because it was offered at the time and was free to do, not because we needed to do it (I don't mean that in a 'look at me I'm rich' kind of a way). We've all renewed.

 

Stu / DBP, your opinion is your opinion. That's fine...but why do you have to try and ram it down everyones throat all the time? You're not always right, and you don't appear to speak for the majority. You seem to have issues with attention seeking. Maybe we should do a straw poll as to who we think is better qualified to run the football club - you or Cortese.

[trousers]

Finally renewing tomorrow (+2 mates) lost my seat as couldn't afford to renew in time, so hopefully there's 3 seats together in a decent part of the ground still.

 

I always get a decent set of seats when I buy on the day of a match so you shouldn't have any problems in the seat selection dept I'd have thought

[trousers]

I think the one area of criticism that most people are united on is the lack of communication about certain decisions.

 

But, throwing one's devil's advocate hat into the ring, even that criticism could be deemed logically flawed...

 

As FF rightly highlighted from 'day 1' (this time last year) the club would now be run in a less open fashion (for better or for worse) because it is now a private business rather than a public limited company.

 

You'll notice that much of the "communication is bad" criticism is typically posted with an element of surprise that it's happening despite us all being able to work out last July that this is the sort of thing that would happen.

 

And here comes the devil's advocate bit...given we all knew that this would happen why were those 'moaning' about it now not moaning about it when FF first highlighted what would happen a year ago?

 

Hindsight is not the answer.

[Chez]

Do not judge on how many season tickets sold. Judge on whether gates rise this season over last. That is the measure.

gates are bound to rise, for me the question will always be would they have risen more if the club had offered paymet plans and more flexible selling, half season tickets and less sales taxes.

[Chez]

I think the one area of criticism that most people are united on is the lack of communication about certain decisions.

 

But, throwing one's devil's advocate hat into the ring, even that criticism could be deemed logically flawed...

 

As FF rightly highlighted from 'day 1' (this time last year) the club would now be run in a less open fashion (for better or for worse) because it is now a private business rather than a public limited company.

 

You'll notice that much of the "communication is bad" criticism is typically posted with an element of surprise that it's happening despite us all being able to work out last July that this is the sort of thing that would happen.

 

And here comes the devil's advocate bit...given we all knew that this would happen why were those 'moaning' about it now not moaning about it when FF first highlighted what would happen a year ago?

 

Hindsight is not the answer.

 

no shortage of information coming out of the club, they are just very selective as to what information they choose to release. Being a privately owned company has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on not telling people payments plans would nto be available until the very last minute.

[Gorgiesaint]

I think the one area of criticism that most people are united on is the lack of communication about certain decisions.

 

But, throwing one's devil's advocate hat into the ring, even that criticism could be deemed logically flawed...

 

As FF rightly highlighted from 'day 1' (this time last year) the club would now be run in a less open fashion (for better or for worse) because it is now a private business rather than a public limited company.

 

You'll notice that much of the "communication is bad" criticism is typically posted with an element of surprise that it's happening despite us all being able to work out last July that this is the sort of thing that would happen.

 

And here comes the devil's advocate bit...given we all knew that this would happen why were those 'moaning' about it now not moaning about it when FF first highlighted what would happen a year ago?

 

Hindsight is not the answer.

 

But what you have disregarded is that the one piece of communication that people refer to when they are complaining is the customer charter. This was one of NC's implementations last season, but has then been disregarded subsequently.

 

So it is not so much a case of hindsight, but one of contridiction.

[trousers]

no shortage of information coming out of the club, they are just very selective as to what information they choose to release. Being a privately owned company has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on not telling people payments plans would nto be available until the very last minute.

 

Agreed, but my point is that there should be no 'surprise' that the privately owned company is choosing to communicate in the way it sees fit.

 

FF highlighted the fact a year ago that we would now start to see things happen at the club that won't always come wrapped up with sequinned explanations.

 

We simply have to acknowledge that any decisions being made, or the (non)communication thereof, are for the benefit of the private company, whether we like it or not. The theory being that what is best for the private company is best for the club on the field (for one goes hand in hand with the other)

 

For what it's worth, I'd rather Cortese's communication to his customers was more open but I'm happy to go with the flow as it's only a football club at the end of the day.

[aintforever]

I think Weston's view is most salient. For the club, as a business, it's not about the number of STs sold, it's about the number of bums on seats at each match.

 

Last season we had c.13,000 STs and an average home gate of 21,000. That's 13,000 at, say, £15 each and 8,000 at £25 each (roughly speaking).

 

This season, with the same average home gate, we might get 10,000 at £15 and 11,000 at £25. Which is the better business?

 

I do expect the average home gate to be higher this season than last, irrespective of ST sales. I expect the management do, too.

 

It's understandable that the new "business first" policy will upset some fans, but that's the future. And if it helps, I don't mind if you change £25 to £28.

 

I have no doubt that if Saints have a good season Cortese's plan of having fewer Season Ticket holders will make the club more money. No Saints fan under 40 has a clue what it's like to be at the top of the league, I think a lot of people will be surprised at the size of our crowds IF we run away with the league. Don't forget, we effortlessly sold close to 50K tickets for the country's least glamourous cup final against one of the country's least glamourous teams.

 

Just because we might make more money doesn't make the way the fans have been treated is right though.