[Albion] Carabao Cup Fourth Round: Charlton - 3rd allocation of tickets

[Guy Fawkes]

I haven't read all the recent posts about the ticket collection issues but my take on some things from that fiasco.

The Charlton stewards were absolutely hopeless, there was no organisation or segregation of those with tickets and those queuing to collect theirs, meaning a lot of fans could have been served quicker if those without tickets were able to reach the windows. The ticketing staff kept calling for the next person to help reissue tickets for them, but often they'd be left waiting as those waiting for replacements weren't going to the windows (this was around 6pm) probably as they didn't know that they could get served and more than likely those waiting were too far back as those nearer the front had tickets (pretty much everyone was in 1 queue) The space by the ticket office became a bottleneck which no one really able to move anywhere

Also, the Brighton Staff in the ticket office were trying really hard to get the Chartlon staff to open the away end early, which which would have helped massively as those with tickets would have been able to get out of the way of those queuing, making it easier for those waiting (our ticket staff and our fans waiting to get theirs) makes me wonder if it was Chartlon saving cash by not starting their staff working until around 6, then they needed their breifing, etc which made it 6.15 before the gates finally opened

Charlton had know for a long time how many we were taking to the game, and yet they seemed very unprepared and caught out massively by the numbers

Those complaining about a lack of print at home tickets which may have prevented this seem to be forgetting that this was an away game, and that it's more likely that it was never an option as Charlton were unable to supply, prorpcess these types of tickets so hardly the Albions falt this wasn't used

 

[dazzer6666]

I haven't read all the recent posts about the ticket collection issues but my take on some things from that fiasco.

The Charlton stewards were absolutely hopeless, there was no organisation or segregation of those with tickets and those queuing to collect theirs, meaning a lot of fans could have been served quicker if those without tickets were able to reach the windows. The ticketing staff kept calling for the next person to help reissue tickets for them, but often they'd be left waiting as those waiting for replacements weren't going to the windows (this was around 6pm) probably as they didn't know that they could get served and more than likely those waiting were too far back as those nearer the front had tickets (pretty much everyone was in 1 queue) The space by the ticket office became a bottleneck which no one really able to move anywhere

Also, the Brighton Staff in the ticket office were trying really hard to get the Chartlon staff to open the away end early, which which would have helped massively as those with tickets would have been able to get out of the way of those queuing, making it easier for those waiting (our ticket staff and our fans waiting to get theirs) makes me wonder if it was Chartlon saving cash by not starting their staff working until around 6, then they needed their breifing, etc which made it 6.15 before the gates finally opened

Charlton had know for a long time how many we were taking to the game, and yet they seemed very unprepared and caught out massively by the numbers

Those complaining about a lack of print at home tickets which may have prevented this seem to be forgetting that this was an away game, and that it's more likely that it was never an option as Charlton were unable to supply, prorpcess these types of tickets so hardly the Albions falt this wasn't used

Thought is was obvious (when we turned up at least) where the collection queue was given it was a mile long….we had tickets and walked straight in to the turnstiles, there was no queue.

 

[Wozza]

You can resell football tickets when authorised to do so.
I think it's QPR that use the twickets website that people use for face-value gig ticket resale as their ticket exchange.
This is not, strictly speaking, relevant to the conversation.

Home tickets only, though. Albion do that too...

 

[Wozza]

You have misunderstood me. My question was related specifically to the technological possibility of passing on tickets rather than the laws governing resale.

Apologies, yes. Hadn't read all 438 or so pages.

Point still remains that football clubs are legally bound to manage tickets in a different way to, say, gig promoters.

Does any football club in the country allow the resale of AWAY tickets?

 

[timbha]

I haven't read all the recent posts about the ticket collection issues but my take on some things from that fiasco.

The Charlton stewards were absolutely hopeless, there was no organisation or segregation of those with tickets and those queuing to collect theirs, meaning a lot of fans could have been served quicker if those without tickets were able to reach the windows. The ticketing staff kept calling for the next person to help reissue tickets for them, but often they'd be left waiting as those waiting for replacements weren't going to the windows (this was around 6pm) probably as they didn't know that they could get served and more than likely those waiting were too far back as those nearer the front had tickets (pretty much everyone was in 1 queue) The space by the ticket office became a bottleneck which no one really able to move anywhere

Also, the Brighton Staff in the ticket office were trying really hard to get the Chartlon staff to open the away end early, which which would have helped massively as those with tickets would have been able to get out of the way of those queuing, making it easier for those waiting (our ticket staff and our fans waiting to get theirs) makes me wonder if it was Chartlon saving cash by not starting their staff working until around 6, then they needed their breifing, etc which made it 6.15 before the gates finally opened

Charlton had know for a long time how many we were taking to the game, and yet they seemed very unprepared and caught out massively by the numbers

Those complaining about a lack of print at home tickets which may have prevented this seem to be forgetting that this was an away game, and that it's more likely that it was never an option as Charlton were unable to supply, prorpcess these types of tickets so hardly the Albions falt this wasn't used

This perfect world you speak of where stewards are easy to employ, train, are perfectly skilled in customer service, etc, etc and can deal with this extraordinary situation where the customer has paid a max of £15, and many just £1.

Stewards and police I spoke to were very helpful. I queued 30 mins and got in without hassle.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Apologies, yes. Hadn't read all 438 or so pages.

Point still remains that football clubs are legally bound to manage tickets in a different way to, say, gig promoters.

Does any football club in the country allow the resale of AWAY tickets?

Home tickets only, though. Albion do that too...

I'm not bothering to look into the finer details of other clubs ticket resale processes. But a quick search suggests that Man City, at least, apply the same rules to home and away tickets:

Ticket Resale Information | Manchester City F. C.

Manchester City Football Club promotes safe ticket buying. We encourage you not to purchase from unofficial channels to avoid invalid tickets. Learn more.

www.mancity.com

I think in most cases, outside some Premier league clubs or specific games, away tickets are pretty easy to come by anyway, so it doesn't tend to matter.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Apologies, yes. Hadn't read all 438 or so pages.

Point still remains that football clubs are legally bound to manage tickets in a different way to, say, gig promoters.

Does any football club in the country allow the resale of AWAY tickets?

for the women's football during the summer you could transfer tickets up to the morning of the day of the event - was that breaking the law or is women's football not governed by the same rules or does it come under the 'banner controlled resale'. I honestly think this is an easy problem to crack tecnically its the fact tht clubs want to stay in the dark ages when it suits them that stops progress.

 

[armchairclubber]

I haven't read all the recent posts about the ticket collection issues but my take on some things from that fiasco.

The Charlton stewards were absolutely hopeless, there was no organisation or segregation of those with tickets and those queuing to collect theirs, meaning a lot of fans could have been served quicker if those without tickets were able to reach the windows. The ticketing staff kept calling for the next person to help reissue tickets for them, but often they'd be left waiting as those waiting for replacements weren't going to the windows (this was around 6pm) probably as they didn't know that they could get served and more than likely those waiting were too far back as those nearer the front had tickets (pretty much everyone was in 1 queue) The space by the ticket office became a bottleneck which no one really able to move anywhere

Also, the Brighton Staff in the ticket office were trying really hard to get the Chartlon staff to open the away end early, which which would have helped massively as those with tickets would have been able to get out of the way of those queuing, making it easier for those waiting (our ticket staff and our fans waiting to get theirs) makes me wonder if it was Chartlon saving cash by not starting their staff working until around 6, then they needed their breifing, etc which made it 6.15 before the gates finally opened

Charlton had know for a long time how many we were taking to the game, and yet they seemed very unprepared and caught out massively by the numbers

Those complaining about a lack of print at home tickets which may have prevented this seem to be forgetting that this was an away game, and that it's more likely that it was never an option as Charlton were unable to supply, prorpcess these types of tickets so hardly the Albions falt this wasn't used

Unbelievably one sided account. It was a complete shitshow from both clubs in my experience for which they should both apologise to the fans. Not blame each other and the fans, who were extremely patient and well behaved in the main under extremely frustrating conditions. Could have been avoided, not provoked.

 

[Wozza]

I'm not bothering to look into the finer details of other clubs ticket resale processes. But a quick search suggests that Man City, at least, apply the same rules to home and away tickets:

Ticket Resale Information | Manchester City F. C.

Manchester City Football Club promotes safe ticket buying. We encourage you not to purchase from unofficial channels to avoid invalid tickets. Learn more.

www.mancity.com

I think in most cases, outside some Premier league clubs or specific games, away tickets are pretty easy to come by anyway, so it doesn't tend to matter.

I'm not bothering to follow up either (!!!) but I'd be surprised if City do allow away tickets to be resold.

On a similar theme: does any Premier League club issue away tickets which aren't PAPER?! (Obviously digital tickets would be easier to transfer, in theory)

 

[Wozza]

for the women's football during the summer you could transfer tickets up to the morning of the day of the event - was that breaking the law or is women's football not governed by the same rules or does it come under the 'banner controlled resale'. I honestly think this is an easy problem to crack tecnically its the fact tht clubs want to stay in the dark ages when it suits them that stops progress.

That was via app, wasn't it? So controlled resale. (I remember it was surprisingly easy to transfer tickets for Euro 2020 via the UEFA app.)

I'm not sure women's football is included in the statute. It's probably men's professional matches - and international games featuring England men.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

I'm not bothering to follow up either (!!!) but I'd be surprised if City do allow away tickets to be resold.

On a similar theme: does any Premier League club issue away tickets which aren't PAPER?! (Obviously digital tickets would be easier to transfer, in theory)

Well they literally say that they do on their own website. Maybe they're lying.
Everton do, in part of the away section.

 

[Wozza]

Well they literally say that they do on their own website. Maybe they're lying.

Where does it say it then?

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

I'm not bothering to follow up either (!!!) but I'd be surprised if City do allow away tickets to be resold.

On a similar theme: does any Premier League club issue away tickets which aren't PAPER?! (Obviously digital tickets would be easier to transfer, in theory)

My daughter tells me the Everton tickets she bought on our behalf are digital. Presumably she will receive an e Mail around the day of the game.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

I'm not bothering to look into the finer details of other clubs ticket resale processes. But a quick search suggests that Man City, at least, apply the same rules to home and away tickets:

Ticket Resale Information | Manchester City F. C.

Manchester City Football Club promotes safe ticket buying. We encourage you not to purchase from unofficial channels to avoid invalid tickets. Learn more.

www.mancity.com

I think in most cases, outside some Premier league clubs or specific games, away tickets are pretty easy to come by anyway, so it doesn't tend to matter.

Charlton are L1. The home club issues and sends out tickets to away clubs. It’s a bit much to expect them to invest in the latest technology. Charlton also sent the tickets out late. Not much the Albion could do about that.

 

[Wozza]

My daughter tells me the Everton tickets she bought on our behalf are digital. Presumably she will receive an e Mail around the day of the game.

That's good. First I've heard of that.

And obv very wise given postal situation...

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Where does it say it then?

I'll admit it's a bit more vague on this point than I initially read it as being.
The opening paragraph reads
"Valid tickets for Manchester City Football Club matches (home and away) should only be purchased from Manchester City or an official, authorised seller." Which I interprete as meaning the same rules apply to both.
I spent 5minutes on their website trying to work out if there was any actual mechanism to allow an away tickets to be exchanged and I can't find one, so either there isn't or it's buried somewhere in the members area (or I'm incompetent, which is also a possibility).
I suspect they take the same view as most clubs and just don't really care all that much if you happen to pass it onto somebody once it's been sold.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

That's good. First I've heard of that.

And obv very wise given postal situation...

I literally told you about it 20minutes ago, in a post that you replied to.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Thought is was obvious (when we turned up at least) where the collection queue was given it was a mile long….we had tickets and walked straight in to the turnstiles, there was no queue.

We arrived before the turnstiles opened, and asked the stewards standing on the corner, near the entrance to the South stand away end where those with tickets already should queue

They said join the shorter queue, and as we did, it moved forward and we ended up outside the turnstiles just past the ticket offices so could see the issues there
We were kept waiting there for 20+ minutes before the turnstiles opened, and could see the ticket office staff trying to get other fans to come to the windows to be served with little success as our fans couldn't reach them due to the crowd in the way

They should have separated the queue for those with tickets and kept them clear of the ticket office windows, as a lot in the queue to the ticket office had them already, and kept them clear of the ticket office windows so our fans could get their tickets. the turnstyles were closed, so why direct them to that confined space and make it harder for fans to get their tickets reprinted?

Also saw the Albion guy from the ticket office (in a suit) trying to get the turnstiles opened earlier

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Charlton are L1. The home club issues and sends out tickets to away clubs. It’s a bit much to expect them to invest in the latest technology. Charlton also sent the tickets out late. Not much the Albion could do about that.

Nothing I've posted on here this afternoon has had anything to do with the Charlton game. I'm just observing that ticket resales are actually allowed, with some conditions.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

This perfect world you speak of where stewards are easy to employ, train, are perfectly skilled in customer service, etc, etc and can deal with this extraordinary situation where the customer has paid a max of £15, and many just £1.

Stewards and police I spoke to were very helpful. I queued 30 mins and got in without hassle.

Is it really that complex to think of having a separate queue, clear of the ticket office for those with tickets already? and only allow them toward the turnstyles when they opened?

How hard would it have been to have the queue in the road going to the right for ticket reprints, and a queue in the road going to the left for those with tickets, especially before the turnstiles opened?