Amex seating +3 - The who you know game.

[byf]

Hi,

Now firstly lets just say a well done to the club on what they have done so far, they are fillling the stadium up and that at the end of the day is their priority and the +3 from their side seems to be working a treat.

No doubt this has been mentioned numerous times before, but as a season ticket holder for a few years at withdean and also for the seasons at Gillingham, I like many others only fall into the Cat 4 section.

Is it just me, or does this shi* on the currant season ticket holders slightly?

If you know someone thats a long term season ticket holder you in theory are getting a MASSIVE advantage just for knowing them and in they can waltz on august 6th in a great seat, while at the meantime a currant season ticket holder could find themselves forced in an area they dont even want to sit!

I know I should be happy weve got a new ground, happy were top and happy the club is its best position financially since ive been a fan, but I cant help but feel a little peeved at the fact that I may walk into Falmer at the begginning of Feb and find that my 2x main areas where I want to go are gone.

I have no issue with the loyal fans going first, but if a jonny come lately forces me into an area where if I swear i will be chucked out, then its not on in my opinion.

I have even considered begging a 1901 club member, but I wont do that.

The club banged on about being a season ticket holder this season was a big thing in regards to having priority, well that kind of goes out of the window if your mates a currant season ticket holder doesnt it.

 

[Wozza]

No doubt this has been mentioned numerous times before

Yep.

 

[Brian Fantana]

Hi,

Now firstly lets just say a well done to the club on what they have done so far, they are fillling the stadium up and that at the end of the day is their priority and the +3 from their side seems to be working a treat.

No doubt this has been mentioned numerous times before, but as a season ticket holder for a few years at withdean and also for the seasons at Gillingham, I like many others only fall into the Cat 4 section.

Is it just me, or does this shi* on the currant season ticket holders slightly?

If you know someone thats a long term season ticket holder you in theory are getting a MASSIVE advantage just for knowing them and in they can waltz on august 6th in a great seat, while at the meantime a currant season ticket holder could find themselves forced in an area they dont even want to sit!

I know I should be happy weve got a new ground, happy were top and happy the club is its best position financially since ive been a fan, but I cant help but feel a little peeved at the fact that I may walk into Falmer at the begginning of Feb and find that my 2x main areas where I want to go are gone.

I have no issue with the loyal fans going first, but if a jonny come lately forces me into an area where if I swear i will be chucked out, then its not on in my opinion.

I have even considered begging a 1901 club member, but I wont do that.

The club banged on about being a season ticket holder this season was a big thing in regards to having priority, well that kind of goes out of the window if your mates a currant season ticket holder doesnt it.

How would you suggest the club rewards loyalty to current season ticket holders but also puts in place mechanisms for attracting much needed new fans? Just of out interest, like.

 

[byf]

Yep.

Then again, I wouldnt have an issue with it if my seat had been sorted and I was sitting exactly where I wanted. The only people who will have issue with this is people who havent been a season ticket holder every season at withdean or you dont know someone.

 

[byf]

How would you suggest the club rewards loyalty to current season ticket holders but also puts in place mechanisms for attracting much needed new fans? Just of out interest, like.

1. I would allow the +3 but assuring that ALL currant season ticket holders had priority ensurig they are ALL looked after and not just the long servers
2. Allow a +1 to sit with you or upto 3/4 to sit anywhere.
3. You could give some names that could come down after all the season ticket holders had been looked after, granted they may not get to sit with their chosen people.

Its not my job however to think up a structure to how to set this up, but when youve spent thousends on the club and supported them through thick and thin and you end up behind some bloke called John who just fancies a go at the new ground, just doesnt sit right.

 

[Dominoid]

But surely if you're a season ticket holder at Withdean, you know a few other season ticket holders and if you're really worried that there's going to be that many tickets you must have someone you can ask? Realistically though, I can't see ALL the decent seats going, I'm pretty sure there will still be a good seat available for you, we're just not THAT popular as to fill that stadium just yet. I can't see that many people taking advantage of the +3 just because they can, most people who want a season ticket for the Amex will already be a season ticket holder at Withdean like yourself. Ultimately, I can't see anything wrong with people wanting to sit with their mates; it's just what you do. If you told me "you can buy a season ticket but you absolutely must sit next to a stranger who's had a season ticket for a while, your mates can go sit elsewhere" then I'd think twice about getting a season ticket. When it gets to your turn, you'll be given a +3 too.

 

[byf]

But surely if you're a season ticket holder at Withdean, you know a few other season ticket holders and if you're really worried that there's going to be that many tickets you must have someone you can ask? Realistically though, I can't see ALL the decent seats going, I'm pretty sure there will still be a good seat available for you, we're just not THAT popular as to fill that stadium just yet. I can't see that many people taking advantage of the +3 just because they can, most people who want a season ticket for the Amex will already be a season ticket holder at Withdean like yourself. Ultimately, I can't see anything wrong with people wanting to sit with their mates; it's just what you do. If you told me "you can buy a season ticket but you absolutely must sit next to a stranger who's had a season ticket for a while, your mates can go sit elsewhere" then I'd think twice about getting a season ticket. When it gets to your turn, you'll be given a +3 too.

Unfortunately the currant season ticket holders I do know are joining 1901 and the rest of the lads fall into the same Cat. 4 group.

I see the advantages, I really do but there must have been a fairer way to source this.

 

[Dominoid]

I for one can't think of a fairer way to do it though. Long standing season ticket holders should get priority, that's a reward for loyalty, live and kicking fundraisers should because without them the club wouldn't be here and disabled fans are of course going to be more limited in where they can sit so should also have priority. The +3 thing isn't any different to what other clubs do and like I've said, NOT being able to bring your mates makes a big difference to wanting to go every week or not.

And you could have helped out with alive and kicking to put you as second category! Either way, there's some maths in the "700 seats" thread, I'd suggest checking that out for a realistic calculation of how many seats we'll have left by Cat 4. Remember it's in the best interests of any company selling tickets to make it seem like there's not many left, happens with football just as much as it happens with Rock festivals and industry trade shows but with the exception of the real big names like Glasto and E3, everyone who wants one gets a ticket. And let's be honest, we're NOT one of the real big names. At least not yet...

 

[Blue and White Tiger]

My presentation is the 16th feb. I have no chance of getting in the north stand do i?

 

[byf]

I for one can't think of a fairer way to do it though. Long standing season ticket holders should get priority, that's a reward for loyalty, live and kicking fundraisers should because without them the club wouldn't be here and disabled fans are of course going to be more limited in where they can sit so should also have priority. The +3 thing isn't any different to what other clubs do and like I've said, NOT being able to bring your mates makes a big difference to wanting to go every week or not.

And you could have helped out with alive and kicking to put you as second category! Either way, there's some maths in the "700 seats" thread, I'd suggest checking that out for a realistic calculation of how many seats we'll have left by Cat 4. Remember it's in the best interests of any company selling tickets to make it seem like there's not many left, happens with football just as much as it happens with Rock festivals and industry trade shows but with the exception of the real big names like Glasto and E3, everyone who wants one gets a ticket. And let's be honest, we're NOT one of the real big names. At least not yet...

I agree, long standing season ticket holders deserve priority, Alive and kicking guys deserve priority ahead of the rest of us, fully 100% agree and with that I have no issue.

In regards to the plus 3 and what your saying about mates, bringing mates that in theory could be Chelsea fans or not albion fans at all does not sit right with me.

If people are getting currant season ticket holders and moving them next to you, that I see is fine.

I dont have the answers of how to do it and if I was a Cat. 1 fan, then this system works great as you get in the door first, get your seat and so do your mates aswell...so it works great doesnt it.

We need to attract new fans, we need bums on seats to pay for this wonderful stadium but but but.....If the area I want to sit is gone then I feel this isnt right.

It would be interesting to know how many fans fit into the Cat 1, 2 groups.

 

[byf]

My presentation is the 16th feb. I have no chance of getting in the north stand do i?

I think you will get in there but if you want to sit at the back central it will be gone.

 

[Blue and White Tiger]

I think you will get in there but if you want to sit at the back central it will be gone.

So as a current STH would it make more sense for me to be one of my mates (Presentation on 4th FEB) +3's?

 

[byf]

So as a current STH would it make more sense for me to be one of my mates (Presentation on 4th FEB) +3's?

Yes mate definately. You then can of course after that attend the presentation on your date that youve got, just for information purposes....which I think is what a lot of people will do.

People would have their seat sorted but will attend anyway just to see it.

 

[Ringmer bha]

My presentation is the 16th feb. I have no chance of getting in the north stand do i?

Yes you do. They'll be loads available. I went to presentation on 10th. a lot of people identified themselves and where they would be sitting. not one said north stand.

Regardless, 15000 seats up for grabs and they reckon up to 12000 will be sold by end March. Loads to go round and every one is unrestricted view. A lot of the +3's will fade out over the coming weeks and by then I reckon maybe 4 to 6000 will be sold. lots to go round, honestly. You'll be amazed when you see for yourself.

 

[Brian Fantana]

So as a current STH would it make more sense for me to be one of my mates (Presentation on 4th FEB) +3's?

In short, yes. The sooner you can sign up for a ticket then the better seat you will likely get.

 

[ali jenkins]

How many 'Bandwaggon Jumpers' do you think will want to spend £400 quid on a team they dont really support?

 

[Dominoid]

In regards to the plus 3 and what your saying about mates, bringing mates that in theory could be Chelsea fans or not albion fans at all does not sit right with me.

But would a Chelsea fan spend 500 quid on a season ticket? If I wanted, I could be one of my Arsenal supporting mate's +3s. the thought has never occurred to me until now though as i don't support Arsenal so why would I want a season ticket? I can't see anybody buying a +3 who wouldn't have bought a regular cat 4 or general sale ticket anyway.

 

[byf]

But would a Chelsea fan spend 500 quid on a season ticket? If I wanted, I could be one of my Arsenal supporting mate's +3s. the thought has never occurred to me until now though as i don't support Arsenal so why would I want a season ticket? I can't see anybody buying a +3 who wouldn't have bought a regular cat 4 or general sale ticket anyway.

Yes mate, their's lots of fence sitting plastic prem fans and I have family who fall into that group as they support them via a T.V at about 10.30 on a saturday night.

I know Chelsea & Arsenal fans that are getting season tickets which in my view is great news as we need the support of course but they should be behind ALL currant season ticket holders in purchasing.

It could prove complicated but looking after all season ticket holders has to be their first priority before letting every group invite plus 3's.

They should have been truthful with marketing then in the summer and said this earlier, "dont worry you dont need a season ticket this season to get Falmer priority, you just need to know someone" I gurantee they wouldnt have sold as many.

 

[Mendoza]

How many 'Bandwaggon Jumpers' do you think will want to spend £400 quid on a team they dont really support?

I know two people that have already got their season tickets for next year, and they've never been to a Brighton game before.

Still 3 weeks til I get mine, and most of the people we hang around with dont have theres yet. I know thats only 2 people, but Im sure theres many more

 

[Blue and White Tiger]

But by getting mine as a plus 3 instead of myself, do i lose out on anything?