1901 Success to failure in 5 seasons?

[Norman Baker suck my lozenge]

Love, hate or resent it the 1901 membership was a fantastic marketing success for the club.
Initially bringing in over £2m in seat licence income plus circa £2.5m a season.
With renewals due later this season I would estimate at least half of existing members are considering switching to normal season tickets.
Ok so the club will still keep some of the existing income but how have the club allowed such a successful formula to become such a potential failure just through arrogance , false promises and not getting the simple things right??

One word
Barber.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I'm not convinced 1901ers have had a 5 year price freeze. The club would have built some inflation into the 5 year price. But, assuming this isn't the case, I would expect an increase to be no more than the increases of regular season tickets over the past 5 years, anything beyond this will be difficult to justify imho especially given what Barber has told 1901ers eg the "Superphil" letter. He would have to fully explain why he was treating 1901ers differently to other fans.

Tough one to call for Barber. I guess if he's planning on selling 1901ers another 5 years worth of financial outlay, he has to at least dangle the prospect of joining the 'Premier League Club' at some point within that window. For just about anywhere else in the stadium, he can jerk the prices up or down or freeze on a season-by-season basis, depending on the level of on-field success, but for the 1901ers it needs him to take a serious punt on what happens in the next five years. So expect lots of positive Premier League Commitment messages, even if they continue to seem a bit at odds with the level of investment on the playing side.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

The evidence is in the thread almost all the way through! Yes, I understand normal season tickets have gone up a bit (annoying to say the least - was it really because the travel subsidy changed or was it pre planned I wonder....) - but corporate is different. Completely different. I'm a normal STH and I really hope the prices don't go up - I want my fellow fans to renew. As many as possible...

I certainly can't imagine normal STH's would be pissed off if 1901 didn't go up - that is just selfish. If they were that bothered then surely they could upgrade to 1901 if the prices stayed the same..

Out of interest, what would you expect the renewal % to be if prices stayed the same or went up no more than £10 extra a month?

Not sure if you are on a windup or not. You seriously can't imagine howls of outrage from large numbers on here if 1901 sign up for another 5 years on the same price as we paid 4 years ago? Especially as ordinary tickets could rocket if we go up this year?

As for renewals, I have no idea. I know what figure becomes a serious consideration for me and I know my company are giving their 3 up. Beyond that, it would be an uneducated guess.

Given the situation, I would hope for a like for like increase with other tickets. Obviously 5 year prices allowed for increases but it is common sense that the renewal figures will be similar increases as other tickets, again allowing for changes over the length of the renewal period. There will be people/companies who took a gamble on PL football during the 5 years who probably won't gamble again. But I can't see the club chasing them with a long term contract with a price freeze. I would be delighted to be wrong but can't see it.

 

[Knotty]

One word
Barber.

Why, exactly?

 

[Titanic]

The evidence is in the thread almost all the way through! Yes, I understand normal season tickets have gone up a bit (annoying to say the least - was it really because the travel subsidy changed or was it pre planned I wonder....) - but corporate is different. Completely different. I'm a normal STH and I really hope the prices don't go up - I want my fellow fans to renew. As many as possible...

I certainly can't imagine normal STH's would be pissed off if 1901 didn't go up - that is just selfish. If they were that bothered then surely they could upgrade to 1901 if the prices stayed the same..

Out of interest, what would you expect the renewal % to be if prices stayed the same or went up no more than £10 extra a month?

£10 a month... you must be joking! It will be at least 35% and possible more. We are 5 years nearer the Premier League

 

[Beach Hut]

Did Paul Valley start this thread

 

[Dick Swiveller]

Did Paul Valley start this thread

We don't know as since he started the thread, he has gone out selling Big Issues to raise the £500+VAT he will need to renew.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Tough one to call for Barber. I guess if he's planning on selling 1901ers another 5 years worth of financial outlay, he has to at least dangle the prospect of joining the 'Premier League Club' at some point within that window. For just about anywhere else in the stadium, he can jerk the prices up or down or freeze on a season-by-season basis, depending on the level of on-field success, but for the 1901ers it needs him to take a serious punt on what happens in the next five years. So expect lots of positive Premier League Commitment messages, even if they continue to seem a bit at odds with the level of investment on the playing side.

I have a feeling Barber will scrap the 5 year term and switch to single season deals.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I have a feeling Barber will scrap the 5 year term and switch to single season deals.

Would seem to offer him the most flexibility, including the flexibility to raise prices to eye-watering levels should we ever genuinely achieve Premier League On-Field Readiness. Though hopefully he'll do the decent thing and peg prices to a level affordable by the current 1901ers while the club is flirting with League One status, same as he's done for the rest of the stadium. Fair's fair.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

I have a feeling Barber will scrap the 5 year term and switch to single season deals.

Not what was suggested in the survey they sent out a while ago. The intimation was that the longer you sign up for, the cheaper the price. So flexible terms seem likely. How that will affect those who only paid the 5 year license, I don't know.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

Found the survey. This is the wording


1901 Club Future
Did you purchase a: *

Five Year Membership

Lifetime Membership

Other

When your 1901 club membership is up for renewal, what term of agreement would you prefer: (there will be an increase in discount per season with the increase in length of tenure) *

One Year

Two Year

Three Year

Four Year

Five Year

Six Year

No Opinion

Other

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

When this was discussed previously I know of at least one other person as well as me who asked the question directly to the club about next seasons arrangements and the possibility (rumours) that members (fans) would be forced to move to different seats, the response from PB below:

• we already have many local businesses as 1901 members, as well as many long term supporters and season ticket holders that wanted access to a lounge as well as great seats.

• many 1901 members are already regular purchasers of corporate hospitality; others prefer to use access to their lounge on a more casual basis – both are fine by us.

• separately, we already offer limited match-by-match hospitality in one of our 1901 lounges; this will continue - and it doesn’t affect existing 1901 members seats in any way

• after what is already 4+ years experience of our 1901 club, there’s bound to be some tweaks and changes to our renewal offer; more details soon.

• there can be no room for complacency and we’ll always want to improve things where we can, but our research shows majority of members being very happy with 1901 as is.

• finally, if our works budget allows, we may also look at one or two new/innovative offers to potentially extend the 1901 club; these will not adversely impact existing members.

For some reason there are those who just can't wait for an expected massive hike in prices, and the subsequent "rats leaving a sinking ship" response from the members (fans). Of course it's going to increase, of course there will be changes and some will leave. Why is it the garner of such negative interest on here, rather than seeing it in a positive light, a successful endeavour by the club to help fund the Amex, the team and the future for BHAFC?

Don't get me wrong, I was a very vocal critic of some of the set up for the first couple of years, it was a debacle especially with regards the catering, and the car park. The club have improved much (most) of this, and, as most STH do, we have worked out our matchday routines to suit, just like fans do everywhere.

Having re-read this he's probably ruled out directly moving supporters but not ruled out a massive price hike which could/would have the same effect.

 

[Sheebo]

Not sure if you are on a windup or not. You seriously can't imagine howls of outrage from large numbers on here if 1901 sign up for another 5 years on the same price as we paid 4 years ago? Especially as ordinary tickets could rocket if we go up this year?

As for renewals, I have no idea. I know what figure becomes a serious consideration for me and I know my company are giving their 3 up. Beyond that, it would be an uneducated guess.

Given the situation, I would hope for a like for like increase with other tickets. Obviously 5 year prices allowed for increases but it is common sense that the renewal figures will be similar increases as other tickets, again allowing for changes over the length of the renewal period. There will be people/companies who took a gamble on PL football during the 5 years who probably won't gamble again. But I can't see the club chasing them with a long term contract with a price freeze. I would be delighted to be wrong but can't see it.

I'm not sure if you're being deliberately very patronising or not - but I guess that's life

 

[Dick Swiveller]

I'm not sure if you're being deliberately very patronising or not - but I guess that's life [emoji106]

You still think non 1901 members would be happy if 1901 members were paying the same price for the first ten years of the stadium whilst they had been subject to 3 increases with the possibility of up to 5 more? Bearing in mind the gold price works out at less than a match by match ticket?

 

[Sheebo]

You still think non 1901 members would be happy if 1901 members were paying the same price for the first ten years of the stadium whilst they had been subject to 3 increases with the possibility of up to 5 more? Bearing in mind the gold price works out at less than a match by match ticket?

Gold price being what exactly?

Yes I do think the majority won't care & many won't even know. Why should I want those paying double what I am and a down payment £1k or whatever - you think normal season ticket holders would WANT a price increase for fellow fans who are already paying much more than then to essentially watch the same football match? I know I'm not that selfish and can't believe you have deemed my opinion to be so erongn that it demands constant patronising

 

[8ace]

Don't think what non-1901ers think comes into it. PB's job is to maximise revenue so he'll charge the 1901 is much as he can get away with. If that means more corporates take up the seats, who can be upsold lobster and champagne dinners, then that's better for everyone.

 

[Dave the OAP]

I thought the idea was to have less 1901 members and use those seats to sell to corporate organisations as it generated more income for the. Club.

As nice as the 1901 membership, decent seats, feeling wanted after the many years of wilderness, that sort of thing, was marketed to the loyal fans who could afford a better experience....I am not sure that this really tallies with the hard nose business that is Brighton and Hove Albion limited. Mr Bloom has obviously given Mr Barber the remit to maximise income for the good of every fan and let's face it, if he wants the club to stand on its own two feet, without his constant dipping into his bank account then we need more corporates...simples.

My concern is that it does appear that with the club losing money hand over fist, if there is not a group of people to plough money into the club, then we are having to rely on one individual to bankroll us. That cannot continue long term.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

Gold price being what exactly?

Yes I do think the majority won't care & many won't even know. Why should I want those paying double what I am and a down payment £1k or whatever - you think normal season ticket holders would WANT a price increase for fellow fans who are already paying much more than then to essentially watch the same football match? I know I'm not that selfish and can't believe you have deemed my opinion to be so erongn that it demands constant patronising [emoji106]

Gold being £90 a month. I couldn't give a monkey's chuff if you think I am being patronising - the simple fact is you made assertions that I and others had accepted the idea of a price increase which I countered with details of the average cost per game and reasons why I believe the cost must increase given the likelihood that renewals will be for multiple years again. Now you are coming up with bizarre assertions that I want an increase when I have already stated I would love to be proved wrong.

I guess I'll have to carry on being patronising by saying I find your faith in human nature touching. Maybe you are right and I am just cynical. But I very much doubt we will have the chance to find out.

 

[Mackenzie]

I thought the idea was to have less 1901 members and use those seats to sell to corporate organisations as it generated more income for the. Club.

As nice as the 1901 membership, decent seats, feeling wanted after the many years of wilderness, that sort of thing, was marketed to the loyal fans who could afford a better experience....I am not sure that this really tallies with the hard nose business that is Brighton and Hove Albion limited. Mr Bloom has obviously given Mr Barber the remit to maximise income for the good of every fan and let's face it, if he wants the club to stand on its own two feet, without his constant dipping into his bank account then we need more corporates...simples.

My concern is that it does appear that with the club losing money hand over fist, if there is not a group of people to plough money into the club, then we are having to rely on one individual to bankroll us. That cannot continue long term.

Is TB looking for business partners?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I thought the idea was to have less 1901 members and use those seats to sell to corporate organisations as it generated more income for the. Club.

As nice as the 1901 membership, decent seats, feeling wanted after the many years of wilderness, that sort of thing, was marketed to the loyal fans who could afford a better experience....I am not sure that this really tallies with the hard nose business that is Brighton and Hove Albion limited. Mr Bloom has obviously given Mr Barber the remit to maximise income for the good of every fan and let's face it, if he wants the club to stand on its own two feet, without his constant dipping into his bank account then we need more corporates...simples.

My concern is that it does appear that with the club losing money hand over fist, if there is not a group of people to plough money into the club, then we are having to rely on one individual to bankroll us. That cannot continue long term.

I'm not convinced there are many genuine corporates currently attending, or in a queue. Sure there are lots of businesses with tickets in 1901 but they're not what I'd call corporate; Joe Bloggs Plumbing is quite different to say a plc spunking piles of cash on a fortnightly basis.