Stadium Upgrades - Block 31 Kingsland..

[miserableoldgit]

I have had a letter today from the club. Apparently among the upgrades at SMS they are ripping out all the seats from Block 31 Kingsland and replacing them with luxury padded seats. For those that want to renew there, the cost will be £999, with none of the normal discounts. This is apparently a considerable saving on those who will want to relocate there. As someone who has had my tickets there for 20 years I am a bit miffed....but this is progress I suppose.

[Manuel]

If you've had your ST there for 20 years, the club should give you one of those comfy seats at the same cost as you normally pay.  You've earned it.  

[alehouseboys]

I wonder if this will eventually become a new corporate area where they block off the concourse like in the Itchen and the Gasworks Bar becomes for sole use of corp guests

[Disco Stu]

5 minutes ago, alehouseboys said:

I wonder if this will eventually become a new corporate area where they block off the concourse like in the Itchen and the Gasworks Bar becomes for sole use of corp guests

I hope not. It will just be an empty block of seats other than for the games against the big 6.

[SaintH]

I’ve had the same letter. Pretty appalling customer relations to tell someone who has had a ST there since the stadium opened (20 years) to take it or leave it! An extra £250 a year to have a cushioned seat FFS. The seats certainly can’t be any wider. We chose the seats right on the halfway line and been paying the premium to do so ever since. And now told to cough up or they will helpfully find us other seats in the stadium. And this at a time when they are desperate to get people back. This sort of callous behaviour by the club won’t do much to deter some of us from not bothering anymore. 

[SKD]

12 minutes ago, alehouseboys said:

I wonder if this will eventually become a new corporate area where they block off the concourse like in the Itchen and the Gasworks Bar becomes for sole use of corp guests

Yeah, expect that’ll be the case. Given the shite dished up over the past 5 years and a year or so without being able to watch a live game (becoming used to watching it at home or finding other hobbies), I can’t see that these will be a big hit. 

[Billy the Kidd]

What colour are the seat cushions, and are they waterproof?

[Wade Garrett]

Wouldn’t mind a bit of that.  
 

Always come out with a sore back and neck.

A sofa would be nice.

[miserableoldgit]

25 minutes ago, alehouseboys said:

I wonder if this will eventually become a new corporate area where they block off the concourse like in the Itchen and the Gasworks Bar becomes for sole use of corp guests

They are also offering reduced membership to the Gasworks club as part of the deal so it wouldn't surprise me.

[Medrurkin]

41 minutes ago, miserableoldgit said:

I have had a letter today from the club. Apparently among the upgrades at SMS they are ripping out all the seats from Block 31 Kingsland and replacing them with luxury padded seats. For those that want to renew there, the cost will be £999, with none of the normal discounts. This is apparently a considerable saving on those who will want to relocate there. As someone who has had my tickets there for 20 years I am a bit miffed....but this is progress I suppose.

The problem is, the club keep pretending to be family and fans oriented, but actually, they are treating them more and more like  3rd party customers. They may get a shock over season card renewals (I hope not) - not from me, but there will be plenty who will have concluded there are better things to do with their time over the past year.

[Turkish]

13 minutes ago, miserableoldgit said:

They are also offering reduced membership to the Gasworks club as part of the deal so it wouldn't surprise me.

Is it the gasworks club whereby being a member there gives you the opportunity to purchase a burger and chips for £22? Sounds like a great deal to me.

[SKD]

19 minutes ago, Medrurkin said:

The problem is, the club keep pretending to be family and fans oriented, but actually, they are treating them more and more like  3rd party customers. They may get a shock over season card renewals (I hope not) - not from me, but there will be plenty who will have concluded there are better things to do with their time over the past year.

I agree. For many, I expect they just renew out of fear of missing out or for the social side (I can’t imagine many are too engaged with the actual football, at the moment). 

A year out, people will have found other things to do or realised they don’t miss it as much as they thought they would. 

It’ll be a big challenge for the club and hiking prices up and booting people out of seats they’ve had for 20 years isn’t going to help that challenge. 

[Griffo]

Saints can absolutely get fucked. A corporate entity designed to satisfy shareholders. Haven’t been a football club for a number of years. 

[Matthew Le God]

4 hours ago, Griffo said:

Saints can absolutely get fucked. A corporate entity designed to satisfy shareholders. Haven’t been a football club for a number of years. 

1) There are only two shareholders. The accounts show neither of which have been taking money out of the club.

2) How are Saints not a football club in 'a number of years'?

Edited 22 May, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Griffo]

6 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

1) There are only two shareholders.

2) How are Saints not a football club in 'a number of years'?

They exist to line the owners’ pockets with Premier League money whilst showing contempt for supporters, sorry - customers, every step along the way. 

[Matthew Le God]

2 minutes ago, Griffo said:

They exist to line the owners’ pockets with Premier League money whilst showing contempt for supporters, sorry - customers, every step along the way. 

1) The accounts show the owners have not been 'lining their pockets' by taking money with the club’s money.

2) What contempt for fans are you claiming?

 

Edited 22 May, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Griffo]

Hoping for relegation soon. Massive empty block of overpriced padded seats, an empty Gasworks bar, free tampons in toilets removed, ticket office idiots that take reduce allocations everywhere sacked, etc etc. Watch the club then suddenly realise the value of their supporters when they rely heavily on them to keep the club financially stable.  

[Matthew Le God]

3 minutes ago, Griffo said:

1) Hoping for relegation soon. Massive empty block of overpriced padded seats, an empty Gasworks bar, 2) free tampons in toilets removed, ticket office idiots that take reduce allocations everywhere sacked, etc etc. Watch the club then suddenly realise the value of their supporters when they rely heavily on them to keep the club financially stable.  

1) Only a moron would want his club relegated

2) Why do you have an issue with that?

[The Cat]

16 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

1) Only a moron would want his club relegated

This argument had gone around for years and in my opinion you are wrong. There are many reasons for not wanting to be in the Premier League and also many why football is more enjoyable outside of it.

I'd list some but as you never go to games you wouldn't really understand so it's a waste of my time.

[Matthew Le God]

4 minutes ago, The Cat said:

1) This argument had gone around for years and in my opinion you are wrong. There are many reasons for not wanting to be in the Premier League and also many why football is more enjoyable outside of it.

2) I'd list some but as you never go to games you wouldn't really understand so it's a waste of my time.

1) Being outside the Premier League and not progressing isn't a good thing.

2) That is just bizarre. I am a long term season ticket holder.

[The Cat]

5 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

1) Being outside the Premier League and not progressing isn't a good thing.

2) That is just bizarre. I am a long term season ticket holder.

It really doesn't matter if you are in it or not, there's hundreds of teams outside the Premier League? Is it bad for all of them?

You don't come across as someone who attends games at all and don't show any empathy or understanding of other supporters opinions. 

[Matthew Le God]

12 minutes ago, The Cat said:

1) It really doesn't matter if you are in it or not, there's hundreds of teams outside the Premier League? Is it bad for all of them?

2) You don't come across as someone who attends games at all and don't show any empathy or understanding of other supporters opinions. 

1) An endless cycle of lower league football and no progression isn't good. League One and the Championship promotions were fun supporting Saints... but it was fun because the club was progressing upwards. An endless stay in the lower leagues is not fun.

2) Which opinions? Not agreeing with someone doesn't mean you don't go to games. I wouldn't be doing my role for FM for the last 14 years without going to games home and away.

Edited 22 May, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Lord Duckhunter]

Saying you don’t want your team to play in the top flight is just another way of saying “look at me, I’m a proper supporter I am ” . 

Edited 22 May, 2021 by Lord Duckhunter

[Wurzel]

50 minutes ago, Griffo said:

They exist to line the owners’ pockets with Premier League money whilst showing contempt for supporters, sorry - customers, every step along the way. 

BIB Not a dig at you personally but anyone who keeps regurgitating statements like that. It's been proved in the accounts over and over again that the current owner hasn't taken a penny out of the club, and KL previously IIRC only ever took a reasonable interst charge for money she loaned.
There are owners at other clubs who have unashamedly been taking money out of their clubs, and those club's fans are understandably protesting, but thankfully we don't have that type of owner here. (Although it could be argued we make bugger all money for them to be able to take it anyway)

[waylander]

57 minutes ago, Griffo said:

Hoping for relegation soon. Massive empty block of overpriced padded seats, an empty Gasworks bar, free tampons in toilets removed, ticket office idiots that take reduce allocations everywhere sacked, etc etc. Watch the club then suddenly realise the value of their supporters when they rely heavily on them to keep the club financially stable.  

Fuck off and go watch Pompey then

[SaintH]

MLG - why do you feel the puerile need to drag every single thread down to your pathetic points scoring level. It’s so tedious.

Anyway, how about giving some thought to those of us who over 20 years have built up friendships with people we had never previously met before but who we have Saints in common but are being forced to either pay an exorbitant price to stay where we are, or move. 

[The Cat]

6 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

1) An endless cycle of lower league football and no progression isn't good. League One and the Championship promotions were fun supporting Saints... but it was fun because the club was progressing upwards. An endless stay in the lower leagues is not fun.

2) Which opinions? Not agreeing with someone doesn't mean you don't go to games. I wouldn't be doing my role for FM for the last 14 years without going to games home and away.

There are plenty of fans who enjoy going to watch their team play outside the Premier League. Head down to any local non-league match and speak to people in the ground and you'll find out. There's a whole world of football outside the top 20 clubs, the vast majority of teams have never been in the top flight and never will be.

[Whitey Grandad]

We have two seats in block 31 but I haven’t had a letter yet. What annoys me even more is that I took up the choice of leaving my money on account for next year. This seems to me to be misrepresentation. I’m not going to pay 50% more for these seats and I can’t think of anybody who will. What alternative will they offer us if we decline? The best thing would be for all those who currently occupy these seats to refuse to renew.

[BTW Saint]

Have received my letters on two season tickets in block 31, I can’t see anybody around me taking this offer up.
 

The seats were chosen when we left the Dell, friend choose them on the half way line and not looking into the sun. I took them on formally when he stopped going a few years ago as felt he was getting to old to continue. As they were such a great location, I was reluctant to let them go and have enjoyed taking friends and family for many years.

Although no desire for a padded cushion, as my daughter says part of the fun is taking a fleece to sit on, I would have tolerated a small stepped increase as a long ST term holder, however not a hike of £250 in one season. The options for alternative seats is vague and like others I was generous and left my deposit with the club until the renewal. No comparison is offered to the proposed full price for the padded seats and no explanation as to the benefits of “the gasworks’ for an additional £29!

I was planning to renew, however like other ST holders who were relocated a few years ago, looks like my protest will be not to renew. 

 

 

 

 

 

[igsey]

Not a season ticket holder myself, how much of a price rise would that be? £52 a game seems very steep!

[alehouseboys]

1 hour ago, Whitey Grandad said:

We have two seats in block 31 but I haven’t had a letter yet. What annoys me even more is that I took up the choice of leaving my money on account for next year. This seems to me to be misrepresentation. I’m not going to pay 50% more for these seats and I can’t think of anybody who will. What alternative will they offer us if we decline? The best thing would be for all those who currently occupy these seats to refuse to renew.

Is it the entire block? Maybe they're only switching to the new comfy seats in the best rows, from somewhere around halfway up which would give the best viewing position which would better attract corporate STs, so may not apply to those lower down. Yet.

Edit: just re-read the OP and noticed miserableoldgit mentioned all seats being ripped out.

Edited 22 May, 2021 by alehouseboys
Re-read OP

[nta786]

How about the club just get padded seats all round for everyone (except away fans) as a goodwill gesture without putting the cost onto the fans? 😉

Or better still, we need to campaign with the other clubs to try and get safe standing back as I feel like that has gone quiet again recently due to Covid of course

[Matthew Le God]

15 minutes ago, nta786 said:

 

Or better still, we need to campaign with the other clubs to try and get safe standing back as I feel like that has gone quiet again recently due to Covid of course

British clubs haven't had it before, so it isn't a case of having it 'back'. British clubs have already been given the green light to install sections so no need for a campaign.

Spurs, Celtic, Wolves and both Manchester clubs... https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12254999/manchester-city-to-install-large-safe-standing-area-at-etihad-stadium

Edited 22 May, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Matthew Le God]

2 hours ago, The Cat said:

There are plenty of fans who enjoy going to watch their team play outside the Premier League. Head down to any local non-league match and speak to people in the ground and you'll find out. There's a whole world of football outside the top 20 clubs, the vast majority of teams have never been in the top flight and never will be.

You appear to be responding to something I haven't said. I didn't say it was impossible to enjoy lower league football. But to wish to stay there indefinitely is strange when progression is possible and even more strange when you are already in the top league and wish to drop out if it.

[Verbal]

3 hours ago, The Cat said:

It really doesn't matter if you are in it or not, there's hundreds of teams outside the Premier League? Is it bad for all of them?

You don't come across as someone who attends games at all and don't show any empathy or understanding of other supporters opinions. 

Yes, because MLG is the only poster on here who could be accused of that.

And what does it mean to 'come across as someone who doesn't attend games at all'?  Many of his posts are merely pointing out the weapons-grade bollocks that finds its way onto this site.

[miserableoldgit]

28 minutes ago, alehouseboys said:

Is it the entire block? Maybe they're only switching to the new comfy seats in the best rows, from somewhere around halfway up which would give the best viewing position which would better attract corporate STs, so may not apply to those lower down. Yet.

Edit: just re-read the OP and noticed miserableoldgit mentioned all seats being ripped out.

The wording is "The current standard general admission seating located throughout Block 31 will be removed and replaced with a new comfortable padded seat that offers improved experience."

[miserableoldgit]

7 hours ago, miserableoldgit said:

I have had a letter today from the club. Apparently among the upgrades at SMS they are ripping out all the seats from Block 31 Kingsland and replacing them with luxury padded seats. For those that want to renew there, the cost will be £999, with none of the normal discounts. This is apparently a considerable saving on those who will want to relocate there. As someone who has had my tickets there for 20 years I am a bit miffed....but this is progress I suppose.

Copy of the letter.

[ecuk268]

If it's the whole block I can't seeing them selling the whole lot at £999 a seat.

As for corporate customers ( I assume we're now customers, not supporters), the executive boxes seemed pretty thinly populated over the last few seasons so I would wonder if the demand is there.

[Block 5]

Not Block 31 related but I'm commenting on the general sentiments expressed. 

 

I had a ST in Block 5 for over 12 years. 

Five of us used to go, and followed the club through the fall and rise through the leagues. After a few years in the Prem, five became four and then three. And then I ended up doing a season on my own.

Over the last few years of having a ST, I noticed that all the familiar faces who had sat around me for years and years slowly started to disappear, until I barely recognised anyone. 

 

The final straw for me was against Leicester when Maguire got a late goal. Some lads sat next to me started celebrating so I gave them the talk and told them to fuck off sharpish.... I looked around for a spot of moral support before kicking off, and I was met with blank expressions from a bunch of gormless plastics and tourists. 

I gave up my ST at the end of that season. 

I completely empathise with @Griffo's position. And whilst I don't want to see Saints relegated, the Premier League really ain't all that. Over half the people in the stadium seem to be there to wank off over the opposition. 

It's soulless and corporate. We're viewed as customers, and might as well be sat in the Imax or the Odeon. 

 

It's not even about watching us win, like the fun times during the glory march up the leagues; I had a better time in the days of Wotte and Poortvliet when we were utterly turgid, than I had in the last few Prem seasons.

I'm just sick of the anaemic commercialism of the "best league in the world" ™

 

I'll be back when we get our soul back. 

In the mean time, I'll probably get a ST at the Ray Mac and watch Smallsbury. 

PS. @Matthew Le Godyou really are an insufferable prick. I'd rather go to a game with @Turkishthan you, and he's a right cunt. 

[spyinthesky]

In my opinion the club will see a significant drop in season ticket sales for 2021/22, for a number of reasons.

I doubt if too many supporters will take up this offer.

Some may choose to re-locate whilst others will either give up attending full stop or choose to buy tickets on a match by match basis.

The club seem to have a habit of making silly decisions.

There were 47 boxes filled at round £50k a pop in the early stages at SMS.

This has been reduced to a handful now due to daft sales policies and on occasions when big clubs arrive and demand ramps up, boxes are sold off to opposing fans which flouts all segregation issues.

Also I understand from a mate who has paid for a season ticket in the corporate area since 2004, ridiculous hikes in ticket prices have reduced the amount of well heeled supporters willing to pay for this part of the ground.

Edited 22 May, 2021 by spyinthesky

[Block 5]

26 minutes ago, miserableoldgit said:

The wording is "The current standard general admission seating located throughout Block 31 will be removed and replaced with a new comfortable padded seat that offers improved experience."

I reckon I could improve that "improved experience" by setting fire to the "new comfortable padded seat"

 

#justsaying 

[Sunglasses Ron]

Maybe the “improved experience” is a gentle warming / massaging of the buttocks whilst sat down 🤔

[London Saint 82]

To be honest this doesn’t surprise me - they have £399 in chapel and £19 kids season tickets; hardly rocket science they will try and make the central blocks go for more ... especially as they are the busiest blocks. 

[spyinthesky]

Perhaps there would be value if the Saints home form was a tad better than some of the dire performances post Koeman!!

[Whitey Grandad]

15 minutes ago, Block 5 said:

I reckon I could improve that "improved experience" by setting fire to the "new comfortable padded seat"

 

#justsaying 

The only improved experience I’m concerned about is winning more games.

There’s a group of us around me that used to sit together in the upper east stand at The Dell. I might give a couple of them a ring and see what they think about it. I can’t see may of us bothering.

The thought of paying £105 a game doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest and don’t forget that we’re bound to miss a few games for all sorts of reasons.

What the hell were they thinking? Who the hell are these aimed at?

Edited 22 May, 2021 by Whitey Grandad

[Whitey Grandad]

7 minutes ago, London Saint 82 said:

To be honest this doesn’t surprise me - they have £399 in chapel and £19 kids season tickets; hardly rocket science they will try and make the central blocks go for more ... especially as they are the busiest blocks. 

They’ll soon find out about market price sensitivity.

[London Saint 82]

2 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

They’ll soon find out about market price sensitivity.

True ... I’m just saying I’m not surprised that they are trying something like this as I don’t recall an increase in season tickets for ages ?? I mean the letter says you can go to block 30 or 32 ... so I am guessing that’s the old price ? 

[Matthew Le God]

9 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

Perhaps there would be value if the Saints home form was a tad better than some of the dire performances post Koeman!!

 

5 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

The only improved experience I’m concerned about is winning more games.

Home form has not been the problem this season, the away form is the issue. It is the reverse of 2019/20 when our away form was superb but poor at home.

Saints have the 8th best home record in 2020/21.

Only 6 points from having the 2nd best record.

https://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england

Edited 22 May, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[London Saint 82]

5 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

The only improved experience I’m concerned about is winning more games.

There’s a group of us around me that used to sit together in the upper east stand at The Dell. I might give a couple of them a ring and see what they think about it. I can’t see may of us bothering.

The thought of paying £105 a game doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest and don’t forget that we’re bound to miss a few games for all sorts of reasons.

What the hell were they thinking? Who the hell are these aimed at?

£105 a game ?? 

[miserableoldgit]

The problem that I have is that I fell out of love with football a long time ago. The money, the "Big Six", the England "Boys Club" etc, but because watching Saints has been a habit and a way of life for over 60 years it has been difficult to give up. Sadly, it has got to the stage where it wouldn't take too much to stop. Some may think that this is an overreaction but it could be the final straw. I could save the money and get BT Sports instead. I already have Sky and Amazon so would be able to catch all Saints televised games. I think that the club are taking a lot for granted....