[Albion] Possible return of fans to the Amex (incorporating the Q and A forum on 17th August)

[The Large One]

One can make a conditional decision. But that’s not my point. My point is this evenings Zoom meeting didn’t appear to be a consultation.

What can you bring to a consultation (e.g. expertise in ticketing, expertise in transportation, expertise in fairness of distribution, expertise in government guidelines, expertise in health & safety matters for a large-scale event, etc.) that has already been set in stone? So far, very little has been; only ideas.

If they are conditional decision, it means they haven't been finalised, hence tonight's consultation.

And tonight, fans were consulted. The lack of pushback to the overall scheme does not mean it wasn't a consultation. If fans really weren't happy, they could have let their feelings known, and the club take those considerations further forward. In this instance, most wanted clarification.

 

[clapham_gull]

The club have done very well and have made the best out of an impossible situation, personally I have no desire to go back until things get back to normal and and I’m more then happy for someone else to have my seat. In my situation I suppose it is best to miss games against the likes of Burnley, West Brom etc but to apply for Liverpool, Palace then if successful put them on the exchange. I’m sure if people are desperate to go they should be able to get tickets easily.

I think that's where I am. I've no desire at the moment to get on an often packed train to Sussex and back.

 

[C1 BHA]

Fair enough. What would you propose as an acceptable solution?

I think what they’ve come up sounds pretty good in the circumstances. But given the demand seems to have been determined to be high, the first question they should ask ST holders, is, do you wish to attend under these conditions? Then people like me can opt out and therefore increase the opportunities for people that do want to go. Not for 6 games, for all of them. [emoji106]


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[Billy the Fish]

But do you still get a Barber Black Mark if you do this too often ?

This is a big question.

A mate of mine had personal reasons why he couldn't attend much a couple of season's ago so he put his ST on the exchange for most games. He gets an e-mail one day to say he lost his ticket, no warnings, no asking about his welfare. He's been going since the 90s, it's a pretty shady practice so would be good to know the answer to this.

 

[Guinness Boy]

The club have done very well and have made the best out of an impossible situation, personally I have no desire to go back until things get back to normal and and I’m more then happy for someone else to have my seat. In my situation I suppose it is best to miss games against the likes of Burnley, West Brom etc but to apply for Liverpool, Palace then if successful put them on the exchange. I’m sure if people are desperate to go they should be able to get tickets easily.

Good post.

I've no desire to sit away from everyone else with a mask on and my mouth shut. I do take my 13 year old son and he might end up desperate to see a game, so I'll apply if he does and put up with it for him. If he's just as uninterested I think I'll just skip the first six ballots and see where the country is after we've had autumn and a term of kids back at school. If restrictions are easing further it'll make games more attractive. It may be behind closed doors again by then. If it's status quo then someone will have a chance to watch PL football via the exchange.

I do think people should have been given the option to miss out the whole season, particularly if they have a difficult journey that involves public transport or a long drive. However, no one knows where we will be in December or in spring next year and the club needs some kind of revenue. Where we are seems the best sort of compromise.

 

[blockhseagull]

This is a big question.

A mate of mine had personal reasons why he couldn't attend much a couple of season's ago so he put his ST on the exchange for most games. He gets an e-mail one day to say he lost his ticket, no warnings, no asking about his welfare. He's been going since the 90s, it's a pretty shady practice so would be good to know the answer to this.

Don’t think so.... I mean they actively suggested it as an idea.

I know in past seasons they have been policing it but can’t see under current covid conditions they would be policing it

 

[Rugrat]

Fair enough. What would you propose as an acceptable solution?

I think all the club need to do is determine who wants to attend. If it's more than available seats then job done, ballot amongst those that do. Sure, if less want to go than seats available then I understand I should be in the ballot

EDIT: Just noticed this has been suggested above too

 

[Hotchilidog]

I think what they’ve come up sounds pretty good in the circumstances. But given the demand seems to have been determined to be high, the first question they should ask a ST holders, is, do you wish to attend under these conditions? Then people like me can opt out and therefore increase the opportunities for people that do want to go. Not for 6 games, for all of them. [emoji106]


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I think they should do this at the first ballot where people submit their groups. It fulfills the brief of keeping the admin simple. I was very impressed with the consultation last night and I think this one amendment to the currently stated plan is a reasonable one.

Although I do not believe any tickets on the exchange will go unsold, should they not offer this option.

 

[Napper]

I do think people should have been given the option to miss out the whole season, particularly if they have a difficult journey that involves public transport or a long drive. However, no one knows where we will be in December or in spring next year and the club needs some kind of revenue. Where we are seems the best sort of compromise.

They have , if you have a letter from government that you are vulnerable then you can.

Can't then open up an opt out thing for people who just dont fancy it. Medically it will pretty much be absolutely fine if you are not vulnerable so no real reason not to go. Not fancying it shouldn't be part of this as there are so many other factors that have enough variables. Club right to keep it simple. Thankless task really.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Don’t think so.... I mean they actively suggested it as an idea.

I know in past seasons they have been policing it but can’t see under current covid conditions they would be policing it

You'd very much hope this was the case, but I'd definitely like to hear it from Barber so we're all covered.

As with others I'm not sure if I fancy games under very harsh conditions.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

What can you bring to a consultation (e.g. expertise in ticketing, expertise in transportation, expertise in fairness of distribution, expertise in government guidelines, expertise in health & safety matters for a large-scale event, etc.) that has already been set in stone? So far, very little has been; only ideas.

If they are conditional decision, it means they haven't been finalised, hence tonight's consultation.

And tonight, fans were consulted. The lack of pushback to the overall scheme does not mean it wasn't a consultation. If fans really weren't happy, they could have let their feelings known, and the club take those considerations further forward. In this instance, most wanted clarification.

I’m not quite sure what you’re saying here. Either way, I was making a minor observation, this is all. Broadly speaking I think the club/Barber has called this very well. I’ll leave it here.

 

[East Staffs Gull]

Was anything said about whether the groups of up to five would be able to sit in adjacent seats?

 

[blue-shifted]

Don't have time to go through this so have probably a basic question.

I'm a STH, who doesn't want to return at the moment (and probably not for the whole season), but wouldn't get a government letter. I don't mind paying whatever money I need to, but don't want to lose my seat. What is my position?

Thanks

 

[Hotchilidog]

Don't have time to go through this so have probably a basic question.

I'm a STH, who doesn't want to return at the moment (and probably not for the whole season), but wouldn't get a government letter. I don't mind paying whatever money I need to, but don't want to lose my seat. What is my position?

Thanks

You will retain your seat for next season.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Don’t think so.... I mean they actively suggested it as an idea.

I know in past seasons they have been policing it but can’t see under current covid conditions they would be policing it

Yes, that's fine.

But we really need official information on this, not best guesswork.

 

[Birdie Boy]

Don't have time to go through this so have probably a basic question.

I'm a STH, who doesn't want to return at the moment (and probably not for the whole season), but wouldn't get a government letter. I don't mind paying whatever money I need to, but don't want to lose my seat. What is my position?

Thanks

Just opt out of the 6 that you are allowed to and put the rest on ticket exchange. You will not lose your seat.

 

[Guinness Boy]

They have , if you have a letter from government that you are vulnerable then you can.

Can't then open up an opt out thing for people who just dont fancy it. Medically it will pretty much be absolutely fine if you are not vulnerable so no real reason not to go. Not fancying it shouldn't be part of this as there are so many other factors that have enough variables. Club right to keep it simple. Thankless task really.

I said it was the best kind of compromise but why not just allow a full season opt out? There are lots of people who are not on the government list but who will be wary of going for health reasons of their own, because of their age or because they have an elderly relative to look after. What about people who don't have a car if there is no public transport, since car sharing isn't allowed by the govenment?

Your usual selfish bollocks sadly.

 

[drew]

I said it was the best kind of compromise but why not just allow a full season opt out? There are lots of people who are not on the government list but who will be wary of going for health reasons of their own, because of their age or because they have an elderly relative to look after. What about people who don't have a car if there is no public transport, since car sharing isn't allowed by the govenment?

Your usual selfish bollocks sadly.

Agree. With an initial capacity of 30% I suspect there will be plenty of demand for the tickets so the club will no lose out. They should allow those who are wary and don't want to attend to declare so now. That might mean, for example, that 30% don't want to go leaving the remaining 70% to get to more games. If the capacity is increased to a point where it exceeds demand from STH then the slack will surely be taken up by members so the club will still not lose out financially. Once opted out though, unless there is a material development, eg a vaccine, then perhaps you shouldn't be able to opt back in until next season! Either way, current season ticket holders should not lose there current seat.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Agree. With an initial capacity of 30% I suspect there will be plenty of demand for the tickets so the club will no lose out. They should allow those who are wary and don't want to attend to declare so now. That might mean, for example, that 30% don't want to go leaving the remaining 70% to get to more games. If the capacity is increased to a point where it exceeds demand from STH then the slack will surely be taken up by members so the club will still not lose out financially. Once opted out though, unless there is a material development, eg a vaccine, then perhaps you shouldn't be able to opt back in until next season! Either way, current season ticket holders should not lose there current seat.

Spot on

 

[Napper]

I said it was the best kind of compromise but why not just allow a full season opt out? There are lots of people who are not on the government list but who will be wary of going for health reasons of their own, because of their age or because they have an elderly relative to look after. What about people who don't have a car if there is no public transport, since car sharing isn't allowed by the govenment?

Your usual selfish bollocks sadly.

always has to be a cut off though.

why wouldn't there be public transport ?