Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 6:20 am  

Rather than speculate and cause unrest amongst fans like some, I thought it might be a good idea to approach Gary himself to get his take. I'm sure there are those who will read whatever they want into this, but below is a copy of Gary's reply. There would appear to be no cash flow issue and the club are just trying to work smarter. Maybe this should be applauded rather than criticised. Clearly there are those with Axe's to grind and those that just want to stir things up. Happy reading......

"Simply put we are in an unusual situation that we KNOW that we will be in the Championship next season whatever happens - this is unprecedented. As a result, why should the club wait to sell season tickets until October. We know where we are going to be already and as the club's running costs are much higher in Spring and Summer than Autumn and Winter then it makes sense to get the money in now rather than wait until November when the club's running costs drop to virtually nothing. Obviously, I can't do this offer next year as it is a unique situation so this is the only time the club will be able to do it."

"The offer will end on 31st May and I'm putting the offer out to "pump prime" the season ticket sales, generate a bit of positive excitement and show a bit of loyalty from the club to our loyal fans. As I said, there's no reason why we should leave it until November/December as this will also allow us to spread the administration related to the production of season tickets as well. It makes it easier for the club rather than us rushing around trying to service everyone within a tight timescale."

"Just one further comment. Strategically I'm looking to convert the fan base to a membership oriented format (monthly payments) such as in the NRL rather than a chunk of money landing when we sell season tickets. This will spread the costs for the fans and produce predictable revenue streams for the club. Obviously this will take some time."

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 6:58 am  

Thanks for getting a reply. Decent response.

It's a great deal but I still think the club getting season ticket money for NEXT season is dangerous. I will consider this though.

How did you contact him?

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 7:33 am  

RBear wrote:

Thanks for getting a reply. Decent response.

It's a great deal but I still think the club getting season ticket money for NEXT season is dangerous. I will consider this though.

How did you contact him?

He`s his dad!!

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 8:21 am  

RBear wrote:

Thanks for getting a reply. Decent response.

It's a great deal but I still think the club getting season ticket money for NEXT season is dangerous. I will consider this though.

How did you contact him?

Through the clubs e-mail address.

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 4:44 pm  

In reply to Dominance.
Who is grinding any axe? We are voicing concern as to the reasoning and timing of this promotion. It would be remiss of those of us that have misgivings not to voice our concerns.
Name me another championship/SL club that has launched their season ticket prices for 2013. Why is that? They know which division they will be in next year.
Surely we have budgeted for the club's overheads based on season ticket sales and projected gate receipts and additional revenue streams through 2012.
If we are going to market the scheme then why hasn't a mail chimp e-mail gone out to all season ticket holders launching the deal, not just on this forum.
How are we trying to reach a wider audience and entice new fans/season ticket holders into the club. That will ensure increased income. Will/has this offer be launched to the wider community? It should be! Market this properly and attract more fans.
The admin of season tickets is not rocket science if a decision is made on pasess or season ticket books early enough. We're not dealing with thousands of passes here.
As Boxweir states. Why are we not trying to develop other revenue streams for 2012. The merchandising available in the shop leaves alot to be desired. Baseball caps, scarves, hats, signed pic/posters, polo shirts, t-shirts, mugs can all be sourced and supplied cheaply and sold at profit. What stock is currently in the shop? If the stock is not there on match days the fans cannot buy it.

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 6:14 pm  

ilkleycougar wrote:

In reply to Dominance.
Who is grinding any axe? We are voicing concern as to the reasoning and timing of this promotion. It would be remiss of those of us that have misgivings not to voice our concerns.
Name me another championship/SL club that has launched their season ticket prices for 2013. Why is that? They know which division they will be in next year.
Surely we have budgeted for the club's overheads based on season ticket sales and projected gate receipts and additional revenue streams through 2012.
If we are going to market the scheme then why hasn't a mail chimp e-mail gone out to all season ticket holders launching the deal, not just on this forum.
How are we trying to reach a wider audience and entice new fans/season ticket holders into the club. That will ensure increased income. Will/has this offer be launched to the wider community? It should be! Market this properly and attract more fans.
The admin of season tickets is not rocket science if a decision is made on pasess or season ticket books early enough. We're not dealing with thousands of passes here.
As Boxweir states. Why are we not trying to develop other revenue streams for 2012. The merchandising available in the shop leaves alot to be desired. Baseball caps, scarves, hats, signed pic/posters, polo shirts, t-shirts, mugs can all be sourced and supplied cheaply and sold at profit. What stock is currently in the shop? If the stock is not there on match days the fans cannot buy it.

If it means that much to you, maybe this is not the forum to air your concerns. Maybe a conversation with a club representative may assist you with your points. Speculating and querying club decisions on here to me has a negative edge and will not change anything. The club makes a money saving offer to fans and they query it, some even say there is a cash flow problem. Sometimes I wonder what the club has to do to make some of it's fans happy.

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 6:27 pm  

ilkleycougar wrote:

If we are going to market the scheme then why hasn't a mail chimp e-mail gone out to all season ticket holders launching the deal, not just on this forum.

I got an e-mail?

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 7:20 pm  

Ilkley Cougar is entitled to his/hers oppinion just like everyone else on here domminence!! End of the day the majority of people on here only express concerns because they actually care about the club and want it to do well! Got to agree with Ilkley Cougar that the club dosnt do enough on the merchindise and marketing side.

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 7:42 pm  

captain_cougar wrote:

Ilkley Cougar is entitled to his/hers oppinion just like everyone else on here domminence!! End of the day the majority of people on here only express concerns because they actually care about the club and want it to do well! Got to agree with Ilkley Cougar that the club dosnt do enough on the merchindise and marketing side.

Absolutely and I couldn't agree more. It is my opinion (which as you state I am entitled to) that this is not the place to start scaremongering or surmising about cash flow based on a marketing strategy. I also care about the club, but rather than contribute to the rumor mill I thought it would be a good idea to get a club comment. Read into that club comment what you want. My question to the last poster was merely about what impact airing your concerns on here will have. If you have a genuine problem with the club or want an answer go to the club and ask the question. I think the issue about marketing has been raised on here before which is valid.

Re: From Gary ..2013 Season Ticket Offers : Thu May 10, 2012 7:46 pm  

captain_cougar wrote:

Ilkley Cougar is entitled to his/hers oppinion just like everyone else on here domminence!! End of the day the majority of people on here only express concerns because they actually care about the club and want it to do well! Got to agree with Ilkley Cougar that the club dosnt do enough on the merchindise and marketing side.

Just one further point, I'm not sure many of the Cougar hierarchy actually go on this site so your unlikely to get an answer to the concerns raised.