[Albion] FA Cup Semi-Final v Man Utd - 4:30pm, Sunday 23rd April

[trueblue]

I think there's two main thrusts here...

1. STH guests having priority over those with decent recent purchase history. Yep, as I said above, I completely get this and I agree. I'm not sure why the club went down the line they did, but if the overarching aim is to reward loyalty (and some may argue the toss what that means) then recent purchase history being excluded does feel wrong.

2. Struggling to buy tickets without being a member. That's the point of membership isn't it? I've read a lot of posts over the last week or so from those who became members so that, when they could make their 2,3 or 4 games a season, they had the best chance of getting a ticket. Whilst I understand why some may dislike this "pay to play" model, if I wanted to play, I'd accept it and pay up.

I agree. Can understand the frustration of people in this situation but don’t really think the club’s done much wrong. It seems fair to assume most people with any more than a passing interest in the club will have purchased a membership to get decent seats for the most prestigious games.

Once you make that assumption, throwing open sales to ST-holder guests makes perfect sense. For occasions this big, many people want to go with friends and family who are not normally interested. That’s part of the whole city embracing the moment, which is what makes it so special.

I find the membership scheme annoying but it’s been around a long time and everybody that’s bought a ticket before knows the situation.

 

[Horses Arse]

Perhaps ask yourself, are people more likely, or less likely to purchase memberships now?

Yep. That's the result, which I understand the club wants and benefits from. It's how revenue is maximised in this increasingly commercialised sport. The price of success.

I find it sad though. I bought four extras, two for familly that have previously attended but not this season. They went when we were not so good. However, they are going in the main due to the occasion, which isn't really fair over those that try and get to as many games as they can each season.

 

[jimhigham]

I’m a My Albion+ member, primarily to ensure I can get tickets for the 3-4 matches a season I usually attend. My daughter had membership but we let that lapse when she left home for university. She still attends the occasional match with me but it’s usually 1 or 2 a season. The decision to let her membership lapse has bitten me on the bottom this time around, although I shall keep dipping in once I’m allowed to see if a single seat pops up. Going forward, I’ll be renewing her membership next season, as it‘s reasonable to hope we might see some more “big” matches of this type in the future.

I’ve no profound gripe with the club here. It was never going to be possible to please everybody and it feels like most of us here that wanted a seat have at least been able to sort ourselves out.

 

[dazzer6666]

Sanchez definitely in goal for the semi - according to Roberto (via The Athletic)

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Sanchez definitely in goal for the semi - according to Roberto (via The Athletic)

I think that’s the first decision RDZ has made I disagree with.

 

[BN41Albion]

I'm not sure there has been a lot of complaints.

The main complaint I've seen is that non-members with purchase history were not given a direct opportunity to buy. And, frankly, I can see that argument has merit. Today, as a STH, I bought four guest tickets for people for whom this will be their first game of the season.

Should these people come above those who have spent money on games this season already?

No - that is really rubbish for those who have missed out who have been to games this season. people who haven't been to a game all season have now got tickets when I know people who have missed out who are big fans who for whatever reason (work/family) have managed some games but never bought a membership for the season

 

[dazzer6666]

No - that is really rubbish for those who have missed out who have been to games this season. Really annoyed for people who haven't been to a game all season have now got tickets when I know people who have missed out who are big fans who for whatever reason (work/family) have managed some games but never bought a membership for the season

Agree…should have been a purchase history (maybe a certain number of games) window before STH guest window opened.

 

[Deleted member 37369]

Not sure if @Bozza has updated his spreadsheet ... I might have missed it ... but I'm not sure how many have missed out that would have missed out had it been done differently ... if that makes sense.

As a percentage of total tickets available, not many were available to guests of STH. And then we don't know how many of those tickets purchased by STH for guests were for people that do actually have a purchase history. I appreciate there will be some ... like @Bozza's two guests ... but I think the number overall is going to be very small as a percentage.

There are people screaming 'unfair' all over social media ... saying they are huge fans ... so huge they couldn't be arsed to get a membership earlier in the season!

It looks like some with a 'history' - but no membership - managed to get tickets from STHs on here ... which is great.

But life isn't always fair ... there's plenty of worse examples of unfairness ... so it is what it is!

If you love the club so much, then get a membership. "I can't afford it" doesn't really wash when someone is prepared to then shell out on a Wembley ticket and all the additional costs involved!!

 

[dazzer6666]

Not sure if @Bozza has updates his spreadsheet ... I might have missed it ... but I'm not sure how many have missed out that would have missed out had it been done differently ... if that makes sense.

As a percentage of total tickets available, not many were available to guests of STH. And then we don't know how many of those tickets purchased by STH for guests were for people that do actually have a purchase history. I appreciate there will be some ... like @Bozza's two guests ... but I think the number overall is going to be very small as a percentage.

There are people screaming 'unfair' all over social media ... saying they are huge fans ... so huge they couldn't be arsed to get a membership earlier in the season!

It looks like some with a 'history' - but no membership - managed to get tickets from STHs on here ... which is great.

But life isn't always fair ... there's plenty of worse examples of unfairness ... so it is what it is!

If you love the club so much, then get a membership. "I can't afford it" doesn't really wash when someone is prepared to then shell out on a Wembley ticket and all the additional costs involved!!

…also true. The amount of wailing on SM from ‘loyal fans’ who are ‘desperate’ to go but somehow don’t qualify to buy tickets is laughable.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Not sure if @Bozza has updates his spreadsheet ... I might have missed it ... but I'm not sure how many have missed out that would have missed out had it been done differently ... if that makes sense.

As a percentage of total tickets available, not many were available to guests of STH. And then we don't know how many of those tickets purchased by STH for guests were for people that do actually have a purchase history. I appreciate there will be some ... like @Bozza's two guests ... but I think the number overall is going to be very small as a percentage.

There are people screaming 'unfair' all over social media ... saying they are huge fans ... so huge they couldn't be arsed to get a membership earlier in the season!

It looks like some with a 'history' - but no membership - managed to get tickets from STHs on here ... which is great.

But life isn't always fair ... there's plenty of worse examples of unfairness ... so it is what it is!

If you love the club so much, then get a membership. "I can't afford it" doesn't really wash when someone is prepared to then shell out on a Wembley ticket and all the additional costs involved!!

I guess over time we probably have say 40k or so fans that for whatever reason have history / loyalty / whatever measure that probably does stand up to an argument they should be able to get a ticket. However there were 34k available, so however that priority was sliced and diced, there is always going to be those that miss out.

Since the Amex has opened part of the financial sustainability has been keeping a consistent number of Season Ticket holders happy and maintaining that demand. So STs are made attractive by certain advantages, not only to getting tickets, but for say guests too. This has been the model for 12 years.

I gave up my ST for this season, but knew that if big games came about, or I wanted access to a variety of home games and the odd away game, I was going to need Albion+ membership, whether I thought this was fair or not.

 

[Commander]

I think that’s the first decision RDZ has made I disagree with.

Funny, I was thinking the exact opposite. He's a far superior keeper to Steele.

 

[Bob!]

Agree…should have been a purchase history (maybe a certain number of games) window before STH guest window opened.

Trouble with that is that the club have used STH guests as a way of selling tickets in previous rounds. These STH guests don't get a purchase history because the tickets are not assigned to them individually.
So, these people have been to previous cup games and don't have a purchase history.
You would now be excluding them.

 

[Commander]

Not sure if @Bozza has updated his spreadsheet ... I might have missed it ... but I'm not sure how many have missed out that would have missed out had it been done differently ... if that makes sense.

As a percentage of total tickets available, not many were available to guests of STH. And then we don't know how many of those tickets purchased by STH for guests were for people that do actually have a purchase history. I appreciate there will be some ... like @Bozza's two guests ... but I think the number overall is going to be very small as a percentage.

There are people screaming 'unfair' all over social media ... saying they are huge fans ... so huge they couldn't be arsed to get a membership earlier in the season!

It looks like some with a 'history' - but no membership - managed to get tickets from STHs on here ... which is great.

But life isn't always fair ... there's plenty of worse examples of unfairness ... so it is what it is!

If you love the club so much, then get a membership. "I can't afford it" doesn't really wash when someone is prepared to then shell out on a Wembley ticket and all the additional costs involved!!

Totally agree. The membership scheme is very clear. There are always people who say they 'couldn't get a ticket' without actually trying as well. People used to say you couldn't get a ticket at Withdean! Just like the Sussex-based big 6 fans who never go to watch 'their' club because 'you can't get tickets'. Yes, you can.

Sounds like we might be about to get a load more tickets anyway. I wonder if those people will now snap them up?

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

I think overall the club have done pretty well with this and I say that as someone who is not going as I couldn’t get a ticket for my other half which is my own fault as I should have got her a membership too. From the club’s point of view, that has worked out as I will be getting her a membership next season now which I guess a lot of other people will be doing similarly.

As has been said already, the only thing I would have changed is adding in a window for purchase history from this season before guests of season ticket holders. My other half went to 2 pre season friendlies, league and FA Cup games this season but can’t get a semi ticket which rankles a bit but is ultimately my fault so I can’t complain.

 

[Hovegull]

Not sure what people have got against Membership. I’m no longer a season ticket holder, but I’m more than happy to pay £30 per year (less than the price of one game) for the ability to keep a foot in the door.
If you are willing to pay ~ £100+ for a day out at Wembley and the the other games you want to go to throughout the season, then why wouldn’t you be happy to pay the £2.50 per month for the membership?

 

[Icy Gull]

Totally agree. The membership scheme is very clear. There are always people who say they 'couldn't get a ticket' without actually trying as well. People used to say you couldn't get a ticket at Withdean! Just like the Sussex-based big 6 fans who never go to watch 'their' club because 'you can't get tickets'. Yes, you can.

Sounds like we might be about to get a load more tickets anyway. I wonder if those people will now snap them up?

I am waiting with bated breath on news of more tickets. I was buying guest tix in STH & 1901 tier two yesterday and got in within a minute of sales opening up. There were maybe 100 tix in total available and tix I chose were not available when I went to “buy”, somebody was quicker than me. Went back in and there were a handful of single tix and then nothing within 15 mins.

Happy that Tier 2 will get first dibs, fingers crossed. If I lose out I’ll be pissed off but it is what it is

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Funny, I was thinking the exact opposite. He's a far superior keeper to Steele.

Watching both of them this season, I don’t know how you can say that?

 

[Wardy's twin]

What commitment have Pete and Sally, friends of a STH who don’t watch us but fancy the day out, given?

The club got it mostly right but allowing Pete and Sally in ahead of loads with significant purchase history/points but no membership was poor.

You are assuming that people being bought tickets aren't going to games. Just looking at this thread tells you there are people going to games but for various reasons haven't got membership. There is no perfect solution. If there is a significant group of non membership, recent purchase history people then the club got it wrong at that point. What it has done ,as has been said, is club has made it clear by its actions, is get a membership.

 

[Easy 10]

I think the process has been perfectly fair. STH loyalty has been rewarded by being at/near the front of the queue as you'd expect, but with an additional perk that they can take along a couple of friends or family members and have a fantastic day out with them. That in and of itself is a reward for committing to the club and stumping up for the whole season.

The people grizzling that they've been to a couple of games or that they have purchase history this season but have still dipped out - tough. Should've bought a membership shouldn't you.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

…also true. The amount of wailing on SM from ‘loyal fans’ who are ‘desperate’ to go but somehow don’t qualify to buy tickets is laughable.

Had a quick look but can't find many, have they got a dedicated moaning site?

I have helped a few people with guest tickets but in reality I do have little sympathy with those that aren't prepared to help themselves. Those that asked on here in the main got help from fellow fans. Others just moan it's not fair boohoo.

Years ago when I had a pub a young girl came in on her way home from school and asked if I had any weekend jobs, yes I said I need a pot washer on a Saturday. She duly got herself a job. One of the locals moaned at me after she left saying she had asked about her daughter getting a job. The difference I replied is that girl took it upon herself to come in and ask, your daughter is relying on you where she has had plenty of opportunity to come in with you and ask.

The girl I did employ stayed with me and a number of years later managed one of my pubs before joining the police.