Thetownend.com

About time they release some details isn't it? They were on sale by March 1st last year.
 

Rope people in before we go down and all that  :D

I've been to 5 games this season with mine. I'm not renewing and I don't think my dad is either next season*



* unless the price is something stupid like £20

Don't start Reg's record player being wound up for FFS ;)

You're a London Red and you got married recently.  Was always going to happen.  ;)

There's a 'bumping along the bottom' feeling at the moment, but there will be some good news around the corner at some point.  I expect season ticket sales will hold up, even if it's just the 'hard core' buying them.

not in any rush to renew this year, got too many outgoings at the moment. will probably do so at some point.

I reckon prices will go up a bit.

Think that could be fatal for a lot of people, ticket prices need to stay the same at worst!

I can't see even our fans walking out after 28 minutes though..

77 most do anyway ;)

Agree.  We lost season ticket holders this year when the price stayed the same and we'd made the play off final.

We're unlikely to gain any new ones or entice people back based on this season so far.  BO is the 5th person I know of that isn't going to renew next season. Numbers could really fall.

I probably won't renew.  I can get matchday tickets for £10 adult and £5 child as a Nationwide employee.  Will save me about £200 if we go to all the games.

Happens to us all, just wait until you drink 10 pints of stella one night and then 9 months later the shit really hits the wallet ;)

Doubt I will renew...

Lost the buzz after another dismal showing at Wembley and Cooper coming out with another load of shit..(the performance got me, not the result) and it hasn't really come back. Then, I had got an early bird...not this year, so pick and choose next.

Fucking quitters. Early bird for me.

I've only been to 3 games so far this season and will probably only get to 6 by the end which is less than half my previous low since I started watching in the seventies.  I still care but find reasons for not going more and more easily.

I'll renew partly out of loyalty but also because without a season ticket and not living in Swindon I'd probably stop altogether.

Support levels have always been cyclical, particularly for smaller clubs, but the current malaise does seem pretty deep-rooted. In previous seasons I've always left my season ticket with the guys I go with for someone else to use when I don't make it.  This year no-one wants a free ticket which is worrying.  I can't believe that we'll maintain our current season ticket levels next year.   

Unlikely Sutton, can't stand Stella!!

I'm sure there is no appetite to release renewals early, last few season there has been a little bit of excitement around with a promotion push but with us struggling where we are then there won't be many if any new S/T's and as others have said they could lose a few so Power & co may be better to wait see if they can do something to generate that feel good factor stop people not renewing

No way to talk of your new wife.

haha!

Prices released

Good to see that younger fans prices are being cut but I think for the older fans there is this growing sense of apathy towards the club. I fear that the ST numbers are going to be well down next season this is the first time for many seasons that I don't think I will renew , this is not because I can't afford it but I just don't enjoy going anymore so I will pick and choose games next season.

We'll have to wait and see what actually does transpire on season ticket sales but, canny operator though he is, Power does not seem to place as much emphasis on marketing and PR as Fitton and Wray, or even Jed, before him.

For all that I'll give him credit for, Power hasn't got much of a clue about marketing. He's alienated the press, fails to engage with the Trust, has run down the club's comms department. An hour's cosy chat per month with Shaun doesn't really cut it. Nobody should be surprised if renewals are heavily down. Which will lead to another budget cut next year. Disappointing.

I think I said it before but my dad and I aren't renewing and will pick and choose our games next season.

A shame after the excitement of last season but the entertainment level and 'buzz' is definitely way down this season.

If the "entertainment" value on the pitch had much to do with season ticket sales then we'd be down to Reg by now.  There have been plenty worse seasons than this one in the past 20 years and plenty worse people running the club as well.

I'll renew as to be honest the prices are about right for us. £375 works out at what, £16 a game that's still not too bad really.

Some are saying we should adopt the Bradford approach but we tried that under Fitton and didn't even get to 6000 so think that would be a risk the club couldn't afford.

And there in lies the conundrum.  Winning seems to do little to shift extra season tickets and losing doesn't seem to reduce them too much either.  So, maybe it's all about the marketing, which is what I would go with, but that Fitton effort seemed to tick the box on that front and I really thought we'd crack it.  We didn't, and in reality, the few extra it brought in have generally stuck to buying season tickets without much change in overall attendance.  Maybe the trick is to sell your best payers to get through the summer and then rely on matchday sales for the season.

If that Fitton deal had really delivered then I think Power would have carried it on as he's not daft and seems to want the easiest ride possible in terms of the administration side of the club.  As it is, nothing seems to make much difference, so indifference is what we get in return!

Put it much better than I did.

This is true and if I lived locally it would be a no brainer. Sadly travelling from London, whilst hardly a million miles away takes time and effort and also means I can't really get to midweek games without taking a half day from work.

It's a shame as I do enjoy Saturdays at the football but I think I'll probably pick and choose around 10 home games next season.

I shall renew but have to say I can understand why people will not. This season has been a real disappointment, under Mr Power's long term plans we should have been pushing on but basically we are a rather poor team in an even poorer division. That results in the non-committed fans not being bothered, which results in lower attendances, lower income, lower money available to bring in better players and thus the spiral continues. To get the fans back in numbers will require some serious thinking by Mr Power and is also very dependant upon where we finish in the division.

Got to say that the last two away games meant I could amble across to the pub, listen to the game on the radio whilst watching either the football or rugby and can see why that appeals more than actually going to a game.

Seen far worse seasons than this but a bit pissed off with this one in truth.

very much this for me. after 50 odd  years I simply don't enjoy the football.
next season i'll do a few Forest Green games and a few Town away days. maybe the piss stains at home if we can stay up.

Interestingly, or not, our season ticket sales are still well above the levels we saw on our rise to the Premier League.  Our attendances are about the same if you look at a 30 year average.  Something structural needs to happen for our attendances to flap in either direction really, regardless of what a few people perceive to the "temperature" on the internet.  Power isn't daft - if he saw evidence of a fundamental shift he'd react.

Suppose I'll renew, the kids will still want to go. I'd probably renew anyway in truth, but I've never felt more out of touch with the club and its lack of direction.

Can you pay the finance option off early - not that there is that much reason to do so other than not liking £50 coming out my account every month - I won't have the money until after 1st April...
----
A price freeze on last year for me, well I suppose an increase as the eldest no longer qualifies for the £30 ticket but that's OK

How's a fundamental shift supposed to happen without his involvement then? Isn't he the best-placed person to engineer one?

In his defence, his apparent commitment to strengthening the fundamentals for the long-term may pay off, and this season's just a bump in the road, but his lack of appreciation for the value of the press, fans groups or the club's own marketing operation remain a blind spot.

I meant he won't change his approach unless the arse end fell out of sales which seems unlikely given recent history.  A few people will moan on the internet but or season ticket sales are clearly ticking along as any other season.

Stop fucking moaning you cunts

Renew

 :pint:

This should've been the marketing slogan....

This.

Power's methods, direction club is going in, engagement with fans, loans rather than purchases etc etc - just not reason enough for me to not renew.

Calm down Bob Geldof  :D
I'll do it next week. The spark is still there for me. That, and I really hate Saturday afternoon shopping.

Just renewed mine, same seat since the DRS opened so hell am I giving it up now.

Will be renewing at the end of the month with my Dad.

What this I read about certain businesses employees being able to buy ticket for a tenner?  Anyone know which businesses?

Don't think they'll accept that - cash, cards or installments only. No options to pay by relative :)

Think it applies to Nationwide as part of their sponsorship deal. Not sure about any others.

(https://media.giphy.com/media/Hq4DYXhDkEvHW/giphy.gif)

This is the reality, however much people like to moan.

We really are a match made in heaven

What this I read about certain businesses employees being able to buy ticket for a tenner?  Anyone know which businesses?
Honda do this deal too - To encourage new supporters :-)

Is this a homer simpson sofa arse crack scenario?

My groove!

More the fact that I know who'll be sat around me.....

Im going to flick bits of pie at you next home game

Careful now, the clubs catering has been known to double as a lethal weapon in the past. On the subject of next home game I just realised we've got Donny on Tuesday, forgot all about that.... Gotta love mid table obscurity!

Have we? Forgot that

Beg pardon?

You guys all had e-mails about renewing your tickets - I never got one - and I have just got home from a funeral and found a letter from the club on the doormat!!  On the way home the clutch appears to have gone on the car so renewing my season ticket is not at the top of my list of priorities!!

I'm trying to renew, but don't get the option to finance...only pay by card...anyone else had this?

Ok, I figured it out...if you add the Junior Reds membership (or I assume the other types of membership), you can't finance that...so you don't get the choice at all. You have to finance the season tickets, and then go buy and order a Junior Reds membership separately....

Had the big envelope through the door....it's staring at me...

ST at the 'Udders £179 for the first 10,000 sold.

jesus, that's the price of 7 games at the CG

yeah, they're trying the Bradford model and are finding it from half the £2M extra* TV money championship clubs get next year.

hope it works for them.

*actually I only saw that in one article and can't find any supporting evidence..

Just renewed mine. It probably would be cheaper to pay on the day for me now, I've missed more games this season than in the last 10 years combined, but I like my seat and the fact I get preferential treatment for big away games/Cup ties.

(And it makes me feel like a better fan).

Looking around the stadium each home game and seeing 6,000 empty red seats makes me wonder what benefit is it to me to renew? Not like we ever sell out and having missed 4 home games through work probably wipes out any financial benefit. £345 for a renewal in The Town End after all the budget cuts Power has made bothers me. Yes I understand the need to run a club stable but something doesn't add up. Our ticket prices still higher than clubs who get smaller attendances yet seem to have a bigger spending budget. The Huddersfield £179 deal shows how much we are being fleeced. The wording on the season ticket flyer from Power saying he's frozen prices and trying to make out he's some sort of hero and doing us all a favour really has pissed me off, it's not like he has any justification to increase them! Can't help but feel that come the summer more players sold, more loanees and an even more dilapidating stadium. Rant over.

I'll end up renewing no doubt because we always do and Power knows it.

1) They have average gates of 12,500 vs our 7500-8000
2) They're in the division above so their TV deal is worth quite a bit more than ours
3) Even allowing for the above, they're taking a punt on a much cheaper ST massively boosting their gates to make up for the price cut a la Bradford

So
a) You're not comparing like with like
b) On the "punt front", Fitton tried that and it didn't produce a massive boost in numbers here. And even if it did, one way that increased gates can offset reduced prices is by the extra spend on catering. But we don't have that because Jed "He can't be asset-stripping because we have no assets" McWideboy flogged off the catering for the next decade.

Just renew and stop moaning

Sorry Lee.

Will have to get past round one to get a big cup tie  :headhurts:

http://www.fsf.org.uk/latest-news/view/huddersfield-town-use-broadcast-income-to-reduce-ticket-prices

I've renewed and signed the kids up for junior red membership. I don't actually think it's been that bad an effort this year. Injuries ruined our season at the start and would have done so for most clubs. The only way to get a better team is to support it.

This

This is spot on for me....missed the same amount of games too.

I went today, enjoyed it but the buzz just hasn't comeback since Wembley flop (performance).

Pick n choose for me...

Glad it ain't just me.  Although I got pissed off today at the ref, so maybe Wembley is finally wearing off.

Well just fucking renew and stop moaning you fucking cunt

A grown man wrote this  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

I think he has a point. I love seeing our club run sustainably, but I did think that our attendances, prices and player sales would add up to a rather bigger budget than seems to be the case. Are we still paying Power back, or is the money being ploughed into long-term projects like the training-ground? If so, when can we expect to see a significant budget increase?

I've gone back to buying a season ticket for next season rather than pay as you go though I still can't get to evening games.

History tells us that even in a good play off year, wages would have to be about £2m to break even, without any exceptional revenue or player sales.

I thought wages were quite a bit sub £2m? heresay rather than fact mind.

in any case if we are only  breaking even one assumes that other clubs must be being bankrolled . frustrating but until we get a multi billionaire owner...

I thought I heard £2.1m but could be wrong.

Ha OK, well who knows. Mine was from a vague Terry Cooper quote memory

I did find the Mail saying £1.5M, but that doesn't make it fact(!) and things may have changed anyway

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3098095/Swindon-manager-Mark-Cooper-having-sleepless-nights-League-One-play-defeat-expects-club-learn-lesson.html

edit: Confirmed by Power as £1.8m in July 2014, and whilst we have Ajose, we have shifted a few higher PDC earners since then, so I wouldn't be surprised if £1.5 was the start of season budget. Whether we stuck to it with the loans/loan fees who knows:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28146583

That's ok

Anyone got a son/daughter changing age category this year?  The online ticketing system seems not to recognise my son's DOB making him change from U11->U18, its offering U11.

I've banged an email off, just wondered if anyone had resolved a similar issue..Forgot we had a game tomorrow - should have gone into the office.

Out of interest how many other clubs release ST renewal details in Feb, I've seen Huddersfield and Watford but not heard of any others

Once a club starts doing it it's difficult not to be tied in to these dates on a continued cycle.

anyone know what the state of play is with the Nationwide deal? my other half starts a job there as of April and was thinking that if the sponsor deal where employees get two tickets to each home game for a tenner each, its going to save me a few quid.

Don't recall it being 2 tickets for £10 - maybe wrong though it was discounted tickets but not to £5 a ticket, I'd be surprised

thats not what i said, my post states a tenner EACH.  ::) ::)

I think they get an offer on certain games, not every game.
Pretty sure Honda have the same deal too.

Just called club to clarify, two tickets per employee charged at £10 per ticket, available to all home league fixtures, the dela runs for duration of current sponsorship deal.

Well, that's a cracking deal for Nationwide employees and it's disappointing our attendances are still pretty average. 6,500 there Tuesday night.

Renewed. I'm ace.

Renewed mine today too.

Did mine this morning!

The early bird prices were supposed to finish last Friday.  I wasn't sure whether to bother then forgot, but checked my account last night and they were still showing at the early bird prices, so I renewed.  Anyone know what the take up has been?

the normal 'pleased with response so far' was trotted out on the radio.

to be fair I think most would expect them to be down a bit, but no point putting a figure on it yet I suppose

Four of us together in DRS, one not renewing - lady who sits behind us with four tickets (three juniors as well as herself) has not renewed!  I think remainder around us have renewed.

All my usual lot have renewed

I haven't renewed yet but that's purely due to the coincidence that the family ticket I'm renewing for is the same price in both phases, and money was a lot tighter last month than this so took the option to delay. Start reading the runes when we know whether the total sold is down on this season I guess?

Me and our kid have renewed in the Town End, let's hope it will be worthwhile.

 :clap:

The club have just released a survey for those who have not renewed and their reasons behind that decision.

I would be interested to hear how many ST have been sold thus far, does anyone have any ideas or heard anything on the grapevine?

 :eek:
Bloody hell. That's worth noting as more than a footnote in this thread. First time in recent years that the club has shown an interest in the punters' views. A sign that renewals are well down, I'd say. Hope the replies are constructive, and acted upon.

Indeed, that's very encouraging (that the club are showing an interest). Hope it's not because renewals are down, but I fear you may be right

No its just Power trying to understand how the cash flow projections are going to look over the next few months, those leases on Mercs have to be budgeted for somehow, plus he has a holiday for him and Sangita to pay for?  :D

That the club wants feedback is a positive move- I know we sold 4500 last year so a decline is worrying.

Needs to get people engaged again. Fans feel detached for a number of reasons:

1) Poor relationship with the media- which is the link between the club and fan base
2) Lack of transparency

What transparency do we not have now that we had before? Genuine question.

I've come to accept it - not exactly embrace  it, but it is what it is.

He doesn't sugar coat anything or promise the earth and that's probably what some people want - irrespective of whether it turns out to be bullshit in the future.

This year's recruitment is critical for a lot of fans and maybe they are waiting to see who comes in before committing to a ST

Agree Rory

That was on the back of a play off season, this season has been a disappointment seen decent players sold and I suspect some of the fair weather that like to go when the club is winning will not return.

What are our prices like compared to other L1 teams (Bradford aside) anyone know ?
 

I just did my survey and commented about it in the power phone in thread (having not seen this).

For me, living in London, its just simple economics. I can't make midweek games and the return train to Swindon ain't cheap so I am picking and choosing my games next season.

At one stage during our slump, my dad, who has had a ST for years now wasn't going to renew, but had a change of heart and did renew in the end.

Just shows I'm a better fan than you, because I've bought two ;)

In fairness I've looked at the same thing as I don't generally make midweek games & my renewal equates to 15 games (at £25, which most of the games I would chose to go to probably will be).

I drive to games so the cost is a bit more hidden than the train, but rather than have to book tickets & end up sitting with people I don't know every game I've decided to renew

Bristol City's ST for their new stand is £350. Not bad.

Going on the below (15/16 prices) our cheapest season ticket is the joint most expensive league and our most expensive ST is the 10th most expensive. Geographically it is a northern league so prices are expected to be cheaper than down south.
Given we have the smallest budget in the division and the football on show I wouldn't say it's value for money. Although I'd say all division 3 football is vastly over priced.

I think a fair price for a ST renewal in the side stands would be £300 and £250 in the Town end.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34507719

Yeah but you have to watch Bristol City?

Edit - isn't the price actually essentially irrelevant, its not a true market as if people are going to say I am going to buy an Oxford ST rather than a Swindon one as the Oxford one is cheaper... well I assume the majority wouldn't anyway?  :hmmm:

The season before last I probably did about 15/16 games and so it did make sense for me to have a ST. Last season with me getting married/honeymoon etc I missed so many games, I think I made 8 in total which was sheer stupidity on my part.

I was kind of tempted, but given the geography of the league this season, I am going to make more effort in going to away games and pick and choose the home matches. If Millwall lose in the play-off final and Wimbledon get promoted, next season's London away matches will be brilliant for me.

Do the club get anything in the way of gate receipts for away games (or is that just the FA Cup?)

Otherwise the geographical set up of the league this year is going to clobber the club with many fans saying that they will do away games mainly (and this isn't aimed at anyone as I haven't set foot in the theatre of nightmares since around 1999 and have only done away games since that date) which makes me a shit supporter.

I replied to the survey as I haven't renewed yet. Agree it's a positive step that the club are interested in finding out the reasons.

The survey asked why I haven't renewed, and what would it take for me to do so.

My reason was the lack of investment in the playing staff - I feel that my investment in the club last year was not matched by the club on the pitch. To renew I'd need to see some ambition shown in making some decent signings (not expecting expensive ones would be happy with the right freebies !) And I feel the expiry date for early bird renewal was far too early, so would like to see it extended as a carrot to lure back those like me who could be easily persuaded to come back !

But its good for comparing like for like pricing, or in this case shitty league 1 football with less shitty football at Shitty (the away teams).

This 100%.

For league matches the home side gets all the gate receipts. Cup matches is when the gate receipts are shared.

So you want us to literally spend money before you buy a season ticket, and won't if we don't? Really?

Didn't match my investment...

 :suicide:

Chicken and egg isn't it?..been like this for years.

I replied.

Lost the buzz a bit. But plan to see them in Dublin if that's still going ahead.

Best football philosophy doesn't make the most exciting match day experience.

Lack of engagement with fans....all cloak and dagger.

Miss a few with work.

All added up means I'm not renewing but will still attend alot of home games and a few away.

He didn't say that. Said he'd be happy with decent freebies. It's the intention that's important - even if it doesn't work out.

What are the survey questions out of interest?

I think one related to whether you had any idea 'where the money had gone'

So what level of investment would match your investment? I assume even with a ST, replica shirt, bed spread and a burger each week your investment in the club would be at most £1,500 in the year?

Come on, who's going to buy a bed spread each week? Have you not heard of washing machines?

I do think with season ticket sales aren't we just returning to the long term norm which used to be about 3k a season.

Season tickets peaked with the Race to 6K in the Fitton era c. 2008 and cheap tickets at around £250. Since then they have gradually dropped off for a combination of reasons, prices, performances/team progress (or lack of) and lifestyle changes.

The problem is once people give up their ST's is they will naturally pick and choose games but gates drop overall. 

We will have to see if gates hold up around the 7k mark after a few games. Local derbies might push us to 9-10k for a couple of games.

Sent from my HTC One M9

To be honest I don't think they have to justify themselves in this thread. Its just interesting to see why people haven't renewed. 

Yep - we struggled bar 93/94 to push beyond 4k and it never used to be a big worry.  Season ticket sales ideally being just enough to pay for the summer months where we get zero matchday income.

Fitton (like Bradford) thought that filling the ground via season tickets would provide a few benefits - if you pay upfront you should be more inclined to spend on other items on matchday and people are more inclined to turn up to make that spend as they already have a ticket (so poor form or other issues are less of a problem).  If you get the right number it makes some sense IF you get the income from things such as refreshments!

With the kiosk now being dead money to the club, I'd well imagine that a reduction in season tickets isn't a massive problem - provided matchday sales balance it off.  Guess the fact that our poor form last season led to slightly lower matchday sales as well means they are bit more focussed on season ticket sales.

But, if next season is more positive those ex-ST holders will still go but be paying £25 for the privilege - so more income for the club.

It's just a possible short term funding problem.

this is no problem at all. the business model kicks in and we sell our best performers. That'll be a steward and the tea lady. Job done.

I'm doing a few away games and the local derbies at home.

If we sold 9,000 ST would Power change his buying policy?

I think not.

If you mean the policy of trying to get young players, make them better & sell for a profit the no.

But I do think it may change the amount and the quality of players we signed, he has always maintained that we wouldn't spend money we didn't have but would spend within our means

Flipping it on its head, if we changed the buying policy would we sell 9,000 ST's? An equally resounding no.

Indeed, in the modern age, outside of one special season, we've only ever broken 5,500 once when Fitton slashed the price - we didn't even double the previous number.  Longer term, it's better for the club at the moment to have a low season ticket holder base and maintain a decent overall match day attendance.  Once they get other revenues back in their hands, then it can switch back.  I think they are only worried now because they'll be thinking this could mean lower matchday attendances as well.

Well, they will be if the new season doesn't herald something better that the last.

But that's nothing to do with prices - it's what happens to every club that struggles.

Always been like this as long as i can remember. If Power sticks to the same policy which he will but he is as lucky as he was the season before last the attendances will be fine.

Look at the last game against Shrewsbury,poor season people not happy apparantly not going to any more games but a healthy attendance.

It's all about momentum, and the club has poor momentum at this moment in time.  Unless the club wants to create that momentum, which costs money (e.g. bringing in Paolo or slashing ST prices like Bradford) which is not going to happen under the current model, then the only way to build the numbers back up is to start to build momentum.

Power has made it clear that he is not interested in the club engaging with the fans, and will only splash the cash on players if they are pretty much guaranteed to generate a decent profit.  This is fine, but unfortunately does not build momentum quickly so he shouldn't be surprised that there is a drop in take up on ST.  The only clear way he has to build that momentum in "his" model is to have a team playing well or providing results on the pitch.  This is risky because if you have a season like we did this year it has a knock on effect for the following year.

He can't have his cake and eat it.  Effectively he is putting the problem on LW's shoulders and asking him to build that momentum.  If you build it (an exciting team or a team that wins) they will come..

A risky strategy, but if it works he will not only be hailed a genius, but will see a decent profit for himself.  It is just a case of making it work.  Good luck Luke..

Momentum is a British left-wing political organisation. It was founded in 2015 by Jon Lansman, four weeks after Jeremy Corbyn's successful campaign for the Labour Party leadership

 
Can't wait    :D

Shit, I didn't realise I was campaigning for tree hugger Corbyn.  I need to find an alternative word to momentum, stat.  :D

It nearly worked the season before last i don't care what anyone says. I also maintain that yes Power does it on the cheap etc and has shit loads of flaws but it does piss me off just how easy last seasons injuries seem to get overlooked. I have no doubt our season would of been alot different with thoses players we didn't have. It wasn't one or two it was over half a team at times

We had 10 first team players out at one point.

Momentum, feel-good factor, club showing ambition, affordability, value for money, manager's political or religious ideology, the bloke who sits in front of me is a knob, etc - all reasons/excuses for buying a season ticket for the first time or not renewing...

It seems to me like fan mindset has become too complicated. Fine, if the price of a season ticket is too expensive (ie unaffordable or can't get to enough games), then end of story. However, if it is affordable, what is the use in applying criteria to the decision, other than STFC is the team I support and therefore I buy an STFC season ticket?

Football is too unpredictable to let chance (and even morals) criteria dictate your attendance and to let them affect the ultimate purpose of going to watch your team play football (enjoying success and accepting failure or mediocrity).

Power may be a crook syphoning swags of cash out of the club to spend on mountains of Toblerones, or he may be placing the club in a sound financial position that could actually make it more competitive when other clubs have to drastically rein in their spending. I thought Brophy was a waste of space for much of the season, but he is now one of the players I'm most looking forward to seeing next season. I hated Di Canio's fascism but his work ethic was admirable and the on-field success fantastic to witness. I was peeved when Shearer got sold and replaced with Terry Gibson. Jed's crew. I'm sure we can all come up with scores of examples that demonstrate negativity towards the club. But are they really justifiable reasons to not buy a season ticket for another completely unpredictable season?

I didn't renew for the simple reason is I've lost the buzz for home games.

In my opinion the football is pretty dull to watch and has been on and off for the last 18 months and the atmosphere is non existent. I do think the ethos of the club and Power's lack of PR skills has alot to do with this but that's been all said and done a thousand times.

I prefer away games, the atmosphere of them and having an all day  :pint: sesh, which to me is just as the important as the game itself.

I cannot afford to do both so I will pick and choose my home and away games next season.

But, you see, all the evidence is against you.  Attendances are generally what they were before the 18 months you talk of to a large extent and the football in the past has been much duller combined with actually being rubbish as well.

Plenty of people lapse every year, but new people come in behind them.

On an entirely personal level, I only had a season ticket once in my lifetime, the season Fitton slashed them.  I hated it, being in the same seat every game but with hassle to change it.  For me, paying on the day has always been my preferred option even if it means paying a little more overall.  The season ticket numbers are just returning to their historical average, someone should probably just let the club know this fact.

If we had a good season, crowds would increase as it tends to do with most teams pushing for promotion, and if we got promoted to the championship that would see an increase in ST sales also

We still have more season tickets than we did in the seasons leading to our one season in the top division (well, up to this past season).

I meant my personal reason for not renewing is because the football has been dull for the last 18 months. The 13\14 season was much better to watch as was the previous 2 seasons before. I cannot talk for anyone else or attendances in general, just my own thoughts.

Cash is tight, so I thought why continue to pay for home games if I it's a struggle to enjoy, so I'll spread the cash between home & away games. Away games are still a buzz for me, few beers, decent company & the football (good or bad) is just a bonus.

Not the best comparison though, our one year in the Premier League coincided with my first year at University and I remember prior to that it was decidedly unfashionable to like football as a late teenager, then the world changed, the PL came along and suddenly the world was awash with Man Utd supporters (I can never understand why so many of my generation are Man Utd supporters yet I didn't know any growing up!  :hmmm:)

Now we have the peoples game and all that bollocks and football couldn't be more popular!

What were our season ticket sales and crowds like in the 1980's...... Reginald your are needed.

Crowds in the 80's are a question that cant be answered with accuracy. You can look at the figures, but they were randomly made up. Most if not all clubs knocked a few hundred off, we were blatant and knocked 1000's off most games.

Historically, and now Im talking my time, namely 50's/60's/70/s 80/s you could get season tickets, but they tended to be the preserve of a more mature fan, who wanted to sit in the somewhat limited seating before the Arkells was built.

Football was cheap, in the 50's/60's entry not much more than the price of a pint. So your average punter just turned up as and when...a habit to which I've usually subscribed, apart from a few seasons.

Once the Arkells was built then you got those more mature fans who wanted the same seat, and to be surrounded by like minded types....

In the 50's early 60's players weren't paid for the summer, so cash flow not a problem.

The 70's/80's saw the drift off of many of the traditional older fans because of trouble...for many it was, "why did we fight and win a war, to create this shit?" Therefore season ticket sales bombed, and crowds generally had a steep decline.

It was Italia 90, that saved English football's bacon, a semi decent WC campaign and a bit of Pavarotti, convinced the Daily Mail reading classes that football was OK again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqzz7B7V2IE

The 1990 WC was key as was the formation of the Premier League but the biggest effect on attendances at our level was the introduction of the playoffs which predates both.

It's a fair point overall attendances in the FL rose over every season for 5 seasons to the formation of the Prem in 92/93, from 86/87 the first PO season. However this onlt returned overall FL attendances to the level of around 80 when they started to plummet.

Great post.

I'm a fairly young supporter but I've still seen everything from threats of the club folding completely to something which looks like genuine progress.. and my desire to go back at the end of the season has been more or less the same every time. Perhaps it is a romanticism that fades over time, or with modern football, or when you have kids etc (although that one I like the least). I don't know. But I look forward to every new season as much as I did the last, give or take.

Played cricket against the STFC ticket office manager (Jason) last night and I asked him about season ticket sales... he said:

"Four thousand odd. Only a couple of hundred down on last season's sales"


Now, I've known Jason for a long time and I don't think he'd lie, but I just can't believe that's true. I must have spoken to 500 people (exaggeration!) who aren't renewing in the last 2-3 months!

Which just goes to show the inherent biases in people's perceptions as against the actual facts. Same as all those people who "don't know anyone" who's voting to stay in/leave the EU. They do, they're just only registering the ones that agree with their preconceptions. It's called confirmation bias. It's why things like GL5Red's affirmation that crowds are going to plummet because "everyone" he spoke to on the train from Stroud hated Power is unreliable evidence as to the actual mood of a much larger fanbase (although if his dire predictions are correct, the fanbase will soon erode to such an extent that we will soon all be able to fit in one train carriage!)

Be nice if the club could be transparent and actually let people know exactly how sales are going - have a sales drive for season tickets? The club needs to be more proactive. I for one feel priced out for yet another season.

How long has the season been finished?! FFS.

What will it prove?!

You always have to remember for everyone who maybe isn't going to renew there could be 1 or 2 that are deciding to take the plunge and take a season ticket for the first time, as match days get more expensive and people get more financially savvy the ST makes more sense.

That said I don't know how the club are ever going to recover from the loss of the Stroud Massive?

I have to say, if I lived in closer prixomity to the County Ground, I would have a Season Ticket (again).

I used to go in between night shifts, but with a 150 mile-round-trip I just wouldn't get back in time for work, plus there are weekends where I have my boy for sleepovers and weekends where I'm on day shifts too. If I wanted to go to every home game, I'd have to sacrifice a huge chunk of my annual leave which I wouldn't want to do.

Like I've said in previous posts, the running of the club doesn't really bother me too much, I just go to watch the football.

Still, I expect I'll go to at least 4-5 games next season.

Genuine question. Have you asked anyone at the club directly how many season tickets have been sold

If I like the look of the recruitment policy this summer I'll get a ST for the first time in many years.

If I don't I'll just go on a match by match basis.

How many matches roughly do you need to attend before it gets more expensive that a ST?

About 15 I reckon

Indeed.  Having not yet renewed myself (largely due to there being no benefit of booking a Family ticket early), from the readings I'd thought I'd have the pick of the centre section of the DRS. 

Encouragingly, not so - have a look at online ticket sales and whilst fewer than last year, it's certainly a lot less dramatic than I expected.

 Traditionally STFC have always had a good following in the Stroud/Stonehouse area, because of the train link.  It's something to be encouraged. Cheltnumb have tried in recent years to muscle in as far as Ciren, I know they used to put on free buses....further, it could now be argued that FGR are a more ambitious club, who could pick up our disaffected support, especially if they can stomach veggie burgers and bangers...