[Albion] Club cancelling ST due to non-attendance

[portlock seagull]

I still can’t get my head around why a season ticket holder has to pay to share their ticket (more than once) with someone that has paid £38 to become an Albion + member.

It doesn’t make sense, and is indefensible unless you’re #team rinse.

 

[Talby]

For that argument to have currency you would need to establish that the club knowingly or negligently allow away fans to buy seats in the home sections, and knowingly or negligently are happy for them to reveal their allegiance at the match. You know that most of that is absurdly not the case, with families not allowed entry if their kid is wearing an away top.

If they do so negligently (I presume you are not accusing them of doing so knowingly) and you consider this unacceptable the ONLY solution would be to interview every applicant who wishes to become eligible to buy tickets to ensure they are genuine Albion supporters.

This is not really practicable is it, and even if you had to complete a quiz or something to get on the registered fans list (the list of the only people who can legally buy tickets in the home seats) it would be easy to blag your way in. So there has to be an element of trust.

If the trust is breached the interloper will be chucked out.
I am not talking about Brightonians who support another club who become registered so they can buy a ticket to see their team, in home seats, and who behave themselves and don't reveal their allegiance.

So I think your argument about the club not having 'peer pressure' is a tad flimsy.

I think the process is fine - occasional away fans cheat the system and buy a ticket off the club using their name, and act like a cock and are chucked out and banned. I can live with that.

Likewise I don't advocate the police breathysing every person every time they get into a car in order to end drink driving once and for all.

Don't be tempted to conflate the above with the situation when someone passes on a ticket illegally, using a burner phone or suchlike. We saw some idiot bleating a couple of years ago when they did this and had their season ticket removed.

There seems to be a huge amount of criticism of the club on this thread based upon taking an extreme view about issues that are quite nuanced and, frankly, first world type problems

I don’t think the Club are beyond criticism. In fact an incessant defence of them is just a criticism of some of our fan base who are disgruntled (whether 1901 STH, STH etc).

The club move the proverbial goalposts as they wish and, whilst we can ignore the emails or match day musings from The CEO, we do get chastised a fair bit.

So I suppose they should expect some push back and other supporters should try to respect & understand why people feel like that (even though they might not have been in that position).

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Happy to report that I achieved my 5 STH games in person threshold last night. So safe for another season, although thanks to the coach park delays and terrible driving conditions I didn’t get home until way past 10pm. And still yet to see a home win. Roll on 25 Jan and no doubt another scrappy point.

Thank you for your service

 

[BN9 BHA]

It doesn’t make sense, and is indefensible unless you’re #team rinse.

The choice is -
Leave the seat you have paid for empty and get a warning by the club.
Pay the club extra to share with a fellow fan that has paid to become a member.
List your ticket and get a refund, the best idea but maybe your ST neighbours will end up with an away fan.

 

[ROSM]

For that argument to have currency you would need to establish that the club knowingly or negligently allow away fans to buy seats in the home sections, and knowingly or negligently are happy for them to reveal their allegiance at the match. You know that most of that is absurdly not the case, with families not allowed entry if their kid is wearing an away top.

If they do so negligently (I presume you are not accusing them of doing so knowingly) and you consider this unacceptable the ONLY solution would be to interview every applicant who wishes to become eligible to buy tickets to ensure they are genuine Albion supporters.

This is not really practicable is it, and even if you had to complete a quiz or something to get on the registered fans list (the list of the only people who can legally buy tickets in the home seats) it would be easy to blag your way in. So there has to be an element of trust.

If the trust is breached the interloper will be chucked out.
I am not talking about Brightonians who support another club who become registered so they can buy a ticket to see their team, in home seats, and who behave themselves and don't reveal their allegiance.

So I think your argument about the club not having 'peer pressure' is a tad flimsy.

I think the process is fine - occasional away fans cheat the system and buy a ticket off the club using their name, and act like a cock and are chucked out and banned. I can live with that.

Likewise I don't advocate the police breathysing every person every time they get into a car in order to end drink driving once and for all.

Don't be tempted to conflate the above with the situation when someone passes on a ticket illegally, using a burner phone or suchlike. We saw some idiot bleating a couple of years ago when they did this and had their season ticket removed.

There seems to be a huge amount of criticism of the club on this thread based upon taking an extreme view about issues that are quite nuanced and, frankly, first world type problems

I think you are inferring something here I didn't say. All I'm saying is that I would be more sure that who I pass a ticket to is an albion fan. I am also more invested in that as I don't want the moaning that will go with it from people who are like friends having sat near them for 10+ years

 

[Wozza]

The choice is -
Leave the seat you have paid for empty and get a warning by the club.
Pay the club extra to share with a fellow fan that has paid to become a member.
List your ticket and get a refund, the best idea but maybe your ST neighbours will end up with an away fan.

You know what, starting to think it's easiest if season ticket holders actually go to matches...

 

[BN9 BHA]

The club are in a tricky position but they can start to build a profile of these sort of attendees to understand their behaviour and why they’re not converting these ‘supporters’ into regular attendees or STHs. Or is it that they just attend our home matches against Arsenal.

Good point

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Yes, someone signs up for an Albion+ membership - which they'll need to pay an annual fee for. If they then out themselves as an away fan and get kicked out, no doubt their membership will be cancelled and they will be blacklisted. I'm not sure what else the club can do - other than require someone to go the ground, swear allegiance to the Flag of Sussex and take a 3 hour exam.

Exactly, you only need a new email address

 

[BN9 BHA]

You know what, starting to think it's easiest if season ticket holders actually go to matches...

You’re right of course and I haven’t missed a home league match this season, but we have 4 season tickets together in my family group, with recent work commitments, surgery and one at university 2 of my family have to think about their season tickets now…..or I do as I’m paying

 

[Wozza]

You’re right of course and I haven’t missed a home league match this season, but we have 4 season tickets together in my family group, with recent work commitments, surgery and one at university 2 of my family have to think about their season tickets now…..or I do as I’m paying

Ha. You're managing four season tickets, and have absent family members?!

Of course you're finding the admin to be a PITA!

 

[BN9 BHA]

Ha. You're managing four season tickets, and have absent family members?!

Of course you're finding the admin to be a PITA!

All 4 of us have had season tickets from day 1 at the Amex and have hardly missed any games, this season has been slightly different unfortunately.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I don’t think the Club are beyond criticism. In fact an incessant defence of them is just a criticism of some of our fan base who are disgruntled (whether 1901 STH, STH etc).

The club move the proverbial goalposts as they wish and, whilst we can ignore the emails or match day musings from The CEO, we do get chastised a fair bit.

So I suppose they should expect some push back and other supporters should try to respect & understand why people feel like that (even though they might not have been in that position).

Fair point

 

[ac gull]

When I had a ST years ago in WSL, were two seats in front always empty for two years, then bloke turns up and sat in one for one game bemoaning there were his ST seats but as part of split up process with his Mrs she had cut the season ticket cards up two seasons running - were in most expensive part of WSL too - so can totally understand where club is coming from re wanting seats occupied

 

[Goldstone1976]

Kin ‘ell.

This still going?

WTAF.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Kin ‘ell.

This still going?

WTAF.

The quality of the other threads?

 

[amexer]

Our Opinions differ then..You may not give a shit. I do. I`d be more than happy to give another the opportunity of going to the Amex if I couldn`t go. Many can`t afford a season ticket.. indeed a lot of people can`t warrant a £50 one off ticket.

Agree I do accept position but still miss opportunity to treat someone who could never afford to attend or someone with health issues needs to be accompanied. Also taken people that have kept an eye on elderly people our group know.
Appreciate this doesnt give club chance to make more money and sell memberships etc several after us introducing them to Albion when there circumstances changed purchased own ST.

 

[drew]

When I had a ST years ago in WSL, were two seats in front always empty for two years, then bloke turns up and sat in one for one game bemoaning there were his ST seats but as part of split up process with his Mrs she had cut the season ticket cards up two seasons running - were in most expensive part of WSL too - so can totally understand where club is coming from re wanting seats occupied

Bit bizarre, surely he could have got a replacement during that time?

 

[drew]

The choice is -
Leave the seat you have paid for empty and get a warning by the club.
Pay the club extra to share with a fellow fan that has paid to become a member.
List your ticket and get a refund, the best idea but maybe your ST neighbours will end up with an away fan.

Fourth option is to pay extra and share with a fellow fan who will pay you the equivalent pro rata season ticket cost. You get some money back and they get to go to a game cheaper than buying from the club.

 

[portlock seagull]

Kin ‘ell.

This still going?

WTAF.

Not the first to think this!!

 

[BN9 BHA]

Bit bizarre, surely he could have got a replacement during that time?

Very bizarre especially 2 seasons running