Swansea

[seabass1]

This is exactly why the scheme is looking more fragile with every week that passes.

You're just scrapping in on 301, even if you couldn't get to Swansea, you know that this threshold will likely rise for the next away games, so it is within your interest for tickets to OT and other places to buy a Swansea ticket, then pass it on to friend, relative, whatever, otherwise you'll drop out of the top tier too (not saying you will, but as an example).

That said, the vast majority of 300+ point holders do go to most of the games, so you would argue not many will be buying a ticket just to give it up, however you can see that it will happen.

Anything below 242 at the moment, and you're not getting an away ticket from here on in imho. For reasons of banking points for the big games to come, the, Swansea, Stoke, Huddersfield and Burnley aways are going to sell just as well as no one will want to drop out of a tier.

Agree with that !

 

[Bob!]

Yes, but up to this game I was always well within the top tier with plenty of points to spare.
Now I'm only 4 points up. If for Liecester away I was 20 points above (which I think I was), and I've been to every game I should, in theory, still be 20 points above the top tier cut off.

There are only 2,000 tickets for this game.
So, now you know you are in the top 2,000 points holders.

 

[Nixonator]

If the club chose to award zero loyalty points for the away matches at the likes of Swansea, Burnley, Huddersfield and Newcastle (on New Years Eve), based on past away attendences for these fixtures the liklihood is anyone who wanted to go to these games would be able to get a ticket. No-one would need to harvest any loyalty points and ticket touts would lose business. Tickets could of course still be sold in tranches so that the fans with the most loyalty points would get the first opportunity to buy tickets if they want them.

I'm confused, are you suggesting that offering 0 points is a good thing?

Encouraging supporters to turn up in numbers to the less desirable fixtures is surely welcomed. Points harvesting is a separate issue which I'm sure will be addressed soon, but it is mostly specific to cup competitions. At £30 a whack I'm not sure it's going to happen here.

Storm in a teacup and just seems like anybody unhappy at the fact they are below t1/t2 thresholds will jump on this as a cause for complaint.

 

[Giraffe]

When I saw the points allocation for this game I just rolled my eyes.

I wasn't a fan of the scheme when it was introduced, I didn't think there was anything wrong with the previous scheme, it much more fairly rewarded those that had travelled to games in previous seasons against STH's who had perhaps not. What we effectively have now is a total closed shop as I highlighted several weeks ago.

The scheme is fundamentally flawed as it rewards season ticket holders ahead of away travellers. If you have previously been both then it wont have changed much, but for a recent season ticket holder but regularly away traveller in previous seasons you are now screwed. We buy tickets as a group. We have four in our group who have been season ticket holders the whole amex time and have been regularly away travellers. We are all in the top tier, comfortably. We then have one who has been a regular away traveller but only had a season ticket for a season, they were in the third tier but have scraped into the second tier. They may generally be okay. The sixth chap though is screwed. A STH, and previous away traveller but critically started the season ten points less than person number 5. The gap has grown with every away game. Early on they could buy returns as the cut off wasnt made early enough. now however even returns are only sold to second tier people. He can never bridge this gap. It just isn't mathematically possible. So for him to go to away gaes again he needs us to be relegated.

You also have the season ticket loyalty point harvesters. THey have no intention of going to anything other than the localish big games. But they will still buy for Swansea and the like because it gives them the points.

What the club should do is put 20% of the allocation aside and sell 10% to the third tier and then 10% on general sale. This would at least mean that the keenest and most ardent fans who don't even have a chance now at least can have a crack.

Talk of IDing people at away games is nonsense and there are too many problems with that to mention. So just deal with it as best they can.

Also stop giving loyalty points out so easily. 15 points is too many for Swansea. Just give out 5 for every game. That would stop some of the harvesting I suspect.

 

[AZ Gull]

When I saw the points allocation for this game I just rolled my eyes.

I wasn't a fan of the scheme when it was introduced, I didn't think there was anything wrong with the previous scheme, it much more fairly rewarded those that had travelled to games in previous seasons against STH's who had perhaps not. What we effectively have now is a total closed shop as I highlighted several weeks ago.

The scheme is fundamentally flawed as it rewards season ticket holders ahead of away travellers. If you have previously been both then it wont have changed much, but for a recent season ticket holder but regularly away traveller in previous seasons you are now screwed. We buy tickets as a group. We have four in our group who have been season ticket holders the whole amex time and have been regularly away travellers. We are all in the top tier, comfortably. We then have one who has been a regular away traveller but only had a season ticket for a season, they were in the third tier but have scraped into the second tier. They may generally be okay. The sixth chap though is screwed. A STH, and previous away traveller but critically started the season ten points less than person number 5. The gap has grown with every away game. Early on they could buy returns as the cut off wasnt made early enough. now however even returns are only sold to second tier people. He can never bridge this gap. It just isn't mathematically possible. So for him to go to away gaes again he needs us to be relegated.

You also have the season ticket loyalty point harvesters. THey have no intention of going to anything other than the localish big games. But they will still buy for Swansea and the like because it gives them the points.

What the club should do is put 20% of the allocation aside and sell 10% to the third tier and then 10% on general sale. This would at least mean that the keenest and most ardent fans who don't even have a chance now at least can have a crack.

Talk of IDing people at away games is nonsense and there are too many problems with that to mention. So just deal with it as best they can.

Also stop giving loyalty points out so easily. 15 points is too many for Swansea. Just give out 5 for every game. That would stop some of the harvesting I suspect.

As a far-flung fan, I am slowly having to accept that if Albion remain in the Premier League (as, of course, I sincerely hope they do - how could anyone ever want to see their team relegated?) I may have seen my last away game - EVER. I travel back to England every Christmas, but I simply can't imagine any scenario where an away game in the Premier League around Christmas time will go to general sale.

 

[Deadly Danson]

As a far-flung fan, I am slowly having to accept that if Albion remain in the Premier League (as, of course, I sincerely hope they do - how could anyone ever want to see their team relegated?) I may have seen my last away game - EVER. I travel back to England every Christmas, but I simply can't imagine any scenario where an away game in the Premier League around Christmas time will go to general sale.

What about Newcastle away over Christmas? I'm sure most who want to go will get the chance to see that.

 

[Nixonator]

When I saw the points allocation for this game I just rolled my eyes.

I wasn't a fan of the scheme when it was introduced, I didn't think there was anything wrong with the previous scheme, it much more fairly rewarded those that had travelled to games in previous seasons against STH's who had perhaps not. What we effectively have now is a total closed shop as I highlighted several weeks ago.

The scheme is fundamentally flawed as it rewards season ticket holders ahead of away travellers. If you have previously been both then it wont have changed much, but for a recent season ticket holder but regularly away traveller in previous seasons you are now screwed. We buy tickets as a group. We have four in our group who have been season ticket holders the whole amex time and have been regularly away travellers. We are all in the top tier, comfortably. We then have one who has been a regular away traveller but only had a season ticket for a season, they were in the third tier but have scraped into the second tier. They may generally be okay. The sixth chap though is screwed. A STH, and previous away traveller but critically started the season ten points less than person number 5. The gap has grown with every away game. Early on they could buy returns as the cut off wasnt made early enough. now however even returns are only sold to second tier people. He can never bridge this gap. It just isn't mathematically possible. So for him to go to away gaes again he needs us to be relegated.

You also have the season ticket loyalty point harvesters. THey have no intention of going to anything other than the localish big games. But they will still buy for Swansea and the like because it gives them the points.

What the club should do is put 20% of the allocation aside and sell 10% to the third tier and then 10% on general sale. This would at least mean that the keenest and most ardent fans who don't even have a chance now at least can have a crack.

Talk of IDing people at away games is nonsense and there are too many problems with that to mention. So just deal with it as best they can.

Also stop giving loyalty points out so easily. 15 points is too many for Swansea. Just give out 5 for every game. That would stop some of the harvesting I suspect.

You are breaking down a finite allocation, you could easily read those percentages the other way around ie. 20% of those in the top tier will drop into the lottery of the second.

You only need look around at other PL clubs particularly the well supported, there is no 'one great system', they all have flaws. Otherwise everyone would be using the same one.

It would be interesting to hear from all of those complaining, how many games they have been away (on average) for the last 5 or so years, and how many they want/expect to go to this year.

I do agree on your stance re.ST buffer, it really isn't needed anymore if it's only purpose is a 'bonus' for ST sales, but I think that ship has sailed.

 

[AZ Gull]

What about Newcastle away over Christmas? I'm sure most who want to go will get the chance to see that.

I have to be back in the office by the last working day of the year, unfortunately. But maybe I should hope for that fixture in the run-up to Christmas next season, assuming we both stay up.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

It would perhaps be welcome if just 1 or 2 games a season were declared 'loyalty free' and all tickets went to ballot.

Of course there would be massive demand for these, but at least everyone gets a chance of a ticket on those 1 or 2 occasions each year.

 

[AnotherArch]

Some people seem to want an away season ticket.

The club tried this and I became a Platinum Member which guaranteed me an away ticket for every game and charged my credit card accordingly and I was automatically sent a ticket. You had to guarantee you would buy for every game.

However, only 30 (thirty) fans did this, so the club dropped the idea, although I still get post free tickets, but I have to apply online like everyone else as soon as they go on sale. Not too much of a problem for me as I have 400+ points.

The problem here was the change in the ticketing system 3 years (?) ago, where the club said that it could no longer retain the credit card details. They run for two seasons when we had to pay every time, but could buy one day in advance of the rest. I could already see a problem here where there was no guarantee that a member would buy for every away game, and so could abuse the system by cherrypicking the popular games - until hopefully the club would realise and take away the privilege. Surprising how 1 year on, there would be multiples of 30 people now saying they would commit to every game because when Platinum was abandoned there was hardly a murmur and we were then only goal difference away from the binfest we are in now.

 

[Driver8]

If I had no morals like some and bought a Bournemouth ticket with no intention of going I would have 302 points, instead I’m in the second tier. I really hope those who bought tickets and didn’t attend have their points docked before Tuesday.

 

[Driver8]

It would perhaps be welcome if just 1 or 2 games a season were declared 'loyalty free' and all tickets went to ballot.

Of course there would be massive demand for these, but at least everyone gets a chance of a ticket on those 1 or 2 occasions each year.

I would think Burnley and Huddersfield away will probably fall into this category.

There were plenty of games not sold out last year too.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

I would think Burnley and Huddersfield away will probably fall into this category.

There were plenty of games not sold out last year too.

Burnley will be harvested like mad as it may make the difference for Liverpool away on the last day.

Huddersfield away, likewise could be mined and might tip the balance for Chelsea away.

 

[AZ Gull]

I have a feeling there will, very shortly, be an update from the club on the loyalty point system and abuse.

Blimey, it's almost as though you are in the loop. Spooky:-

[TWEET]913833451274539008[/TWEET]

 

[studio150]

Blimey, it's almost as though you are in the loop. Spooky:-

[TWEET]913833451274539008[/TWEET]

Now just wait for the moans from those that now say they have a valid reason for not attending the Bournemouth cup game

 

[Charlies Shinpad]

Hope the club publish some of the replies they get to their letters
I bet a lot of dogs ate a lot of tickets on the day of the Bournemouth game

 

[patchamalbion]

blimey, countless posts about the ticket system but not many about the trip itself

personally looking forward to it, never been to Swansea and only around 1.5 hours from me. Few hours boozing before and couple after before some Bonfire night festivities.

 

[redoubtable seagull]

blimey, countless posts about the ticket system but not many about the trip itself

personally looking forward to it, never been to Swansea and only around 1.5 hours from me. Few hours boozing before and couple after before some Bonfire night festivities.

I went to Swansea for an evening match at the Vetch Field over 20 years ago. To say it was ****ing horrible, would be an understatement.

 

[Beach Hut]

I went to Swansea for an evening match at the Vetch Field over 20 years ago. To say it was ****ing horrible, would be an understatement.

I think I was at the same game, wasn't it St Davids Day as well as I remember there was some seriously top totty post match in the pubs.

 

[drew]

When I saw the points allocation for this game I just rolled my eyes.

I wasn't a fan of the scheme when it was introduced, I didn't think there was anything wrong with the previous scheme, it much more fairly rewarded those that had travelled to games in previous seasons against STH's who had perhaps not. What we effectively have now is a total closed shop as I highlighted several weeks ago.

The scheme is fundamentally flawed as it rewards season ticket holders ahead of away travellers. If you have previously been both then it wont have changed much, but for a recent season ticket holder but regularly away traveller in previous seasons you are now screwed. We buy tickets as a group. We have four in our group who have been season ticket holders the whole amex time and have been regularly away travellers. We are all in the top tier, comfortably. We then have one who has been a regular away traveller but only had a season ticket for a season, they were in the third tier but have scraped into the second tier. They may generally be okay. The sixth chap though is screwed. A STH, and previous away traveller but critically started the season ten points less than person number 5. The gap has grown with every away game. Early on they could buy returns as the cut off wasnt made early enough. now however even returns are only sold to second tier people. He can never bridge this gap. It just isn't mathematically possible. So for him to go to away gaes again he needs us to be relegated.

You also have the season ticket loyalty point harvesters. THey have no intention of going to anything other than the localish big games. But they will still buy for Swansea and the like because it gives them the points.

What the club should do is put 20% of the allocation aside and sell 10% to the third tier and then 10% on general sale. This would at least mean that the keenest and most ardent fans who don't even have a chance now at least can have a crack.

Talk of IDing people at away games is nonsense and there are too many problems with that to mention. So just deal with it as best they can.

Also stop giving loyalty points out so easily. 15 points is too many for Swansea. Just give out 5 for every game. That would stop some of the harvesting I suspect.

Firstly, I'm not sure how the previous scheme rewarded away travellers more than STH when STH got 1000 pts whereas the maximum number of points you could earn even by going to all home and away games but not having a season ticket would have been 460?

Furthermore, you have to accept that the vast majority of people that have travelled away over the years are already season ticket holders and it is not unreasonable for the club to reward them with more loyalty points than someone who just travels to away games (ie whose gate money is only going to the away club!).