Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:04 pm  

I thought the logic behind closing the East Stand, was to reduce costs? This saving is clearly not being passed onto existing season ticket holders who are being asked to pay roughly an extra £60 or 30% in comparison to their 2015 ST's.

I can see there being a big fall out from this, with many fans refusing to purchase a ticket and instead picking and choosing which games suit them.

I would hope the club had considered all other options available to them in increasing their revenue via commercial interests such as sponsorships, hospitality etc before they decided to p*ss off their small yet loyal fan-base. I cant recall what Koukash' promise was, but I am reading a lot people saying existing ST holders would be discounted in 2016?

All that said and done, I'll be there.

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:08 pm  

The only problem I have with it all is that there doesn't seem to be an incentive to regular season ticket holders. All the top Clubs have discounted rates better than their early bird offers to existing season ticket holders to ensure a solid foundation of support. We don't seem to be able to offer this, and that's disappointing for the supporters who spent important cash on following the team regularly.

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:11 pm  

John Gilbert Reds wrote:

I thought the logic behind closing the East Stand, was to reduce costs? This saving is clearly not being passed onto existing season ticket holders who are being asked to pay roughly an extra £60 or 30% in comparison to their 2015 ST's.

You’d imagine the stand closure was part of the deal the club has struck to keep the rental hike down. They could still be paying more money to the SMC than last year even with this reduction for all we know.

John Gilbert Reds wrote:

I can see there being a big fall out from this, with many fans refusing to purchase a ticket and instead picking and choosing which games suit them.

It’s possible isn’t it. But I tell you what, you don’t half find it harder to scratch the money when you don’t have a season ticket.

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:27 pm  

Chico wrote:

You’d imagine the stand closure was part of the deal the club has struck to keep the rental hike down. They could still be paying more money to the SMC than last year even with this reduction for all we know.

It’s possible isn’t it. But I tell you what, you don’t half find it harder to scratch the money when you don’t have a season ticket.

I accept that, just seems odd to me that we'd agree to close at least one stand each game and still need to increase ST's by 30% to cover the rent. Whilst the SMC are a law upon themselves, lets not overlook the fact that they need Salford Red Devils just as much as we need them.

I know we don't have many East Stand ST holders, but I cant see many of them renewing. As I understand it they're being asked to pay the same in 2016 as they did in 2015 but instead to stand behind the sticks in the South? They'd have been much better closing the South and selling tickets, at the prices they have announced today but for the East.

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:34 pm  

Pretty sure season ticket last year was £153 for early bird offer? Not sure as I got mine for free.

Won't be renewing unless I can for free again. Down to increased cost and also moved out of the area so costs an extra £7 to get there.

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:37 pm  

John Gilbert Reds wrote:

As I understand it they're being asked to pay the same in 2016 as they did in 2015 but instead to stand behind the sticks in the South? They'd have been much better closing the South and selling tickets, at the prices they have announced today but for the East.

I’d probably agree with you there. It’s a tough one.

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:39 pm  

I have no doubt the club haven't just plucked these prices from the ether but they should have made a statement regarding what in effect is a massive increase.

There should be a greater effort made for what you get extra with the ticket, only 5% off shirts this year where as I'm sure it was 10% this year.

I don't know why but I expected that the there would be a discount associated with membership for the Barley Farm.

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:49 pm  

Early bird price in the South Stand last year was £190.

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:50 pm  

TheButcher wrote:

The only problem I have with it all is that there doesn't seem to be an incentive to regular season ticket holders. All the top Clubs have discounted rates better than their early bird offers to existing season ticket holders to ensure a solid foundation of support. We don't seem to be able to offer this, and that's disappointing for the supporters who spent important cash on following the team regularly.

This - after 2 years of lower tickets in an attempt to attract new fans - they've decide to shaft their existing ones instead ..
It's now cheaper to watch Sale RU at the AJ Bell than RL
(Full price 230 Quid South stand for 16 games !)
Sale VIP full price 550 for 16 games ( West Stand Gold )

To Watch Phil Joseph , this is going to be a hard sell .

Re: Season tickets/Membership : Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:51 pm  

Certainly is a tough one and if we want a self-sustaining club, that is able to operate at the full cap we need an increase in turnover. I'm just not convinced that the best way to do this is via increasing ST's as much as they have.

I still think there are a number of areas where the club are missing a trick on; match highlights should be available for every home game at the latest 24 hours afterwards, with a sponsor signed up for these highlights for example "The Barley Farm Highlights" which will include a 10 second still promoting the company before the reel begins. Get a season long sponsor for the MOM award that is read over the tannoy, posted on Twitter and Facebook each home game for example "Your IKEA man of the match award is....". Players are sponsored, but what about the coaching staff? Granted they wont have their names shouted out whenever they cross the white wash, but for a subsidised cost they'll still have their company names in match programmes etc next to Tim Sheens.

Until I am confident all other commercial revenue streams have been exhausted I cant support or agree with a 30% increase. It just feels like a quick win and the easy option. I feel for those fans who will struggle to stump up the extra cash.