This Drift Towards Resentment Of The 1901 Club

[Return of the Rev]

If this hatred for 1901 grows anymore i may have to join it

 

[CheeseRolls]

Having read through the thread I can condense my own concern down to the following;

I don't like the idea that priority for away tickets for crunch games could go to people associated to 1901 club members, who could and will buy tickets on their behalf.

In the general scheme of things not a lot to worry about then.

 

[Hercules Rockerfeller]

Its £99 + VAT for the platinum seats.
Then £76 + VAT for the gold.

The new 1901 in the east are all platinum, on the half-way line

Food in the lounges is not included, its an extra charge if you want it.

One thing I wonder about is that, as the West stand is the largest stand, but if a large majority are 1901, will it become like the Withdean's north stand? Deadly quiet, not much atmosphere? If so, I am glad I'm not in there!

I am a Platinum 1901 member. I am a normal, vocal, long-serving fan. I do not intend to change this when I am in the west stand and I know a lot of people are like me too. I guess it was inevitable that people would have some resentment towards the 1901 members, but we're not all corporate, Jonny come latelys. I have been to Rochdale on a Tuesday night!

 

[hitony]

I am a Platinum 1901 member. I am a normal, vocal, long-serving fan. I do not intend to change this when I am in the west stand and I know a lot of people are like me too. I guess it was inevitable that people would have some resentment towards the 1901 members, but we're not all corporate, Jonny come latelys. I have been to Rochdale on a Tuesday night!

Which is a sound and solid point to make.

 

[SpottySeagull]

Can someone clarify the actual wording re. 1901 and away priority, have the club said that 1901 get priority over st's or just they get priority. Is It not possible that when season tickets are announced they state st's get the same priority as 1901? As this seems to be the main point of contention might we be getting a little ahead of ourselves here?

 

[Hotchilidog]

I do not have a problem with the 1901, I think managing to pre-sell 10% of the stadium is a major achievement. I would imagine a large number are genuine fans that already go to Withdean.
But given that there are now over 2000 members, giving them priority for away games over non 1901 ST's doesn't seem right to me. Paying the 1901 premium gets you the good seat, the parking space and the dedicated catering facilities, that in my opinion is enough.

 

[Superphil]

I am a Platinum 1901 member. I am a normal, vocal, long-serving fan. I do not intend to change this when I am in the west stand and I know a lot of people are like me too. I guess it was inevitable that people would have some resentment towards the 1901 members, but we're not all corporate, Jonny come latelys. I have been to Rochdale on a Tuesday night!

This for me and 4 others too.

Can someone clarify the actual wording re. 1901 and away priority, have the club said that 1901 get priority over st's or just they get priority. Is It not possible that when season tickets are announced they state st's get the same priority as 1901? As this seems to be the main point of contention might we be getting a little ahead of ourselves here?

From what I remember from the presentation, 1901 members will get priority for high demand/profile games, such as FA Cup away games. That was what was said, andas far as I recall it wasn't elaborated on any further .

 

[Southstandfaithful]

I have just looked through my 1901 Gold membership pamphlet and there is no mention of priority to away games listed in the benefits, i wonder if this is just for the Platinum members.....

 

[Superphil]

You got a pamphlet? V

 

[Uwinsc]

I think it comes down to the fact that the club has to make money. If selling corporate seats means we have more money to spend on players I guess we can't really complain.

 

[R. Slicker]

I think it comes down to the fact that the club has to make money. If selling corporate seats means we have more money to spend on players I guess we can't really complain.

Agree with this, It would be ridiculous for the club not to make as much money as possible out of this.
IMO this is just a 'Me Me Me' thread. As if a few thousand existing STH's wont find a satisfactory seat in a sparkling, new 22,500 seater.

 

[Braders]

Not so much can't more won't - football as a corporate experience is not what I want.

EX-BLOOMING-ACTLY

those who enjoy that sort've thing - knock themselves out

but for me Prawn Sandwiches hold absolutely no interest

all I ask from Falmer is a seat , maybe have mates sit around me for some games and the same priority as I have now for away games ( do pretty much every away game so I more then take advantage of this priviledge)

 

[Southstandfaithful]

You got a pamphlet? V

I did actually i got two - one on 1901 club and one on the gold membership benefits, complete with DVD of the presentation - looking through it all i can't see any mention of priority to away games. I seem to remember they may have said something about priority to FA Cup games but not the league.... this may be different for Platinum members.

 

[Deano's Invisible Pants]

I do not have a problem with the 1901, I think managing to pre-sell 10% of the stadium is a major achievement. I would imagine a large number are genuine fans that already go to Withdean.
But given that there are now over 2000 members, giving them priority for away games over non 1901 ST's doesn't seem right to me. Paying the 1901 premium gets you the good seat, the parking space and the dedicated catering facilities, that in my opinion is enough.

As a 1901 Club member I would agree with this. We've gone for the 1901 Club option because my Dad's getting on a bit now and we just want a bit more comfort after 20 years of being STH at Withdean, Pissfield and The Goldstone. Personally, I wouldn't want to be at a high profile away game without the 1000s that normally travel and make the Albion's away following what it is - one of the biggest and noisiest in the country.

I don't think it's too late for the club to re-think this and the expansion of 1901 club numbers surely strengthens the case for doing so.

 

[Icy Gull]

I don't remember all this vitriol aimed at the old Executive Club who I believe had pretty well the same privileges, albeit at the shitty Goldstone, as 1901 members are now getting.

Once the club release season ticket prices people might stop worrying about the 1901 club..I hope.

 

[alofbrighton]

three groups of 1901 club members:

corporate, now see Albion experience as pleasure not punishment for clients
long suffering fans looking for some comfort
johnny come lately (but watched in 1983 and have been busy on Saturdays since then)

Not saying that you're knocking any of these groups but they are all essential...we have a 22,500 stadium to fill and for the club to hopefully remain solvent any type of 'fan' through the door needs to be encouraged. We'll look a bit silly with 10,000 fans every other week otherwise. Personally I just think those of a more vocal, hardcore, loyal nature (call it what you like) need to get organised and be together in the stadium to create an intimidating atmosphere and to stop us all moaning that nobody sings....just like the old North stand.

 

[tedebear]

Isn't the 1901 club only 2000 seats? With now anther 500? (I think) isn't that only approx 10% of the stadium?

 

[driller]

Just to clarify those are one off payments

£500 for a 5 year call on the seat
£1000 for life

I thought it was £99 per month after that for the season ticket to go with the seat

99+vat

 

[driller]

I have heard that the club are hoping to cash in further by offering a buy your seat option like 1901 for normal season ticketholders for £1000. You can then
Pass on your ticket.
Also you can buy upto 4 tickets- so plenty of non attenders at withdean will be around us all.

 

[Washboard Didgets]

I am not a STH and have been supporting the Albion for 13 years now.

I went to many games at Gillingham and have been to a fair number at Withdean. I've always preferred the away games more and consider myself lucky to have gone to both Spurs & Villa in the cup. But I have also been to Rotherham, Leeds, Torquay, Northampton, Nottingham Forest etc etc (over 30 different grounds). I would never consider myself a super fan but equally would hate to miss out on great away experiences. I often see the same faces around us at away games be it Torquay in the snow or Villa, Charlton, Peterborough.

It is critical that our fantastic and highly praised away support isn't diluted by people who won't stand and sing all afternoon.

I am considering getting my first ST next year, but really don't want to end up with a group who don't want to get the atmosphere going. North stand sounds the best option, but I worry that a lot of others will get there before me.

1901 members shouldn't be criticised though, they are potentially providing the commitment to funding the club that will convince/allow the chequebook to be opened in Jan to sign a player or two that will help to secure us a spot in the championship next season.

We just need to hope the club don't go OTT on the benefits and leave the non-1901, non-STH fans out in the cold.