Thetownend.com

Mr Devlin - If you read this can you let us have your thoughts. I originally posted this on the Adver site in late May and the feedback was quite positive so I e-mailed you at the club but have never received a response.

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I have today sent off my season ticket renewal form but for the first time in years I had to think about which stand to sit in. The reason being that following the reduction in prices in the Nationwide and Arkells the price differential between those stands and the Town End is now about right.

In the end I opted for the Town End as normal due to the superior atmosphere and the fact it will still save me a few quid. On the downside I will still have to put up with the much inferior view (continue guessing what is taking place in the Stratton Bank penalty area) although it could be argued last season that this was a good thing.

In an ideal world I would like to switch around between the 3 stands for a bit of variety but it would have cost more to pay on the day each week and clearly it is better for the club to have the money up front in the Summer.

I wonder if many people are in a similar situation where they have got a Town End Season Ticket but would rather not sit there for all 23 games. I have therefore been thinking about the idea of an upgrade ticket similar to those used on trains to upgrade to first class. This would enable Town End Season Ticket Holders to upgrade on a match by match basis to either of the other stands for £3 (difference between price in Town End and Nationwide/Arkells).

Supporters would simply hand over their Town End Season Ticket Voucher for a particular match in exchange for an upgrade ticket. The advantage for the supporter is flexibilty and choice at small additional cost. By the time the season is underway the cost of buying a season ticket can feel written off so it wouldn't really feel like paying twice, just paying for a better seat for the cost of not much more than a pint. The advantage for the club is clearly increased unbudgeted revenue (albeit a relatively small increase but one with no risk). In addition I think most Season Ticket Holders know people who come to selected games but don't turn up week in week out. When these people do come they might want to sit with their friends who are Season Ticket Holders but can't do so because either there are no seats available nearby or they don't like the view or atmosphere or standing etc in the Town End. This is where the upgrade ticket would be ideal as the Season Ticket Holders could then get upgrade tickets in the Nationwide/Arkells and sit with their friends / family etc. The added bonus of this is that the part time suporters might come more regularly (paying full price) if they can sit with people they know (particularly if we have a Wise inspired promotion push).

I am not sure whether this has been tried anywhere and whether there would be much demand for it but would welcome any views and will put the idea to the club if there is much interest.

sounds like a great idea, write to mark or question him on matchday

I like that idea

If they did that Id buy a season ticket, we float from one stand to other and would get a lot of interest!

Great idea that man.  8)

:thumbs:

i like that idea too. and fair play for having a season ticket despite living in Sheffield

belting idea and like rich said, fair play

remember when you posted this back in may, thought it was a good idea then and still do.

bar the added administrative work that the ticket office would have to do, i don't see any downsides whatsoever.

come on devvo!

It does sound like a good idea but would obviously have to be pre-booked to avoid potential mix-ups.

I had some very similar thoughts not too long ago.. I got round it last season by buying a matchday ticket when i fancied sitting elsewhere at a particular game and then getting them to refund me the money when I produced my un-used season ticket stub the following match as i had temporarily 'lost' it.

Wouldn't imagine you could get away with it too often..

I think I was thinking along the lines of producing a 'premium' season ticket which cost a bit more upfront but gave the holder the ability to change their seat for any match they fancied - I guess it would allow the club to budget a little more for it but Sheffield Red's idea is equally good, if not, better

Thanks for the idea. I will discuss it with the Box Office staff to see how workable it is and respond back via this thread.

Excellent! I too would be interested

Superb idea. The club get at least the cost of the Town End ST up front plus any upgrade extras. Everyone's a winner.

awesome. thats the exact reason i didnt renew my season ticket this year...

It would have to be done prior to match day though as if season ticket holders change seats then their seats can be sold on to other supporters? Obviously I understand that attendances arent high enough to warrant worrying about exact seat numbers etc. but just thinking onwards.....

Great Idea though.

there should be a surcharge for being a pain in the arse and wanting to move all the time.

Awkward gits :D

Maybe just have a book of vouchers (or god forbid in the modern world, a credit card stle thing) - x number for each stand, and you redeem them before each match, no set seat.

I wish we had electronic turnstyles with swipe cards ie like the plastics do. So much simpler.

I've only ever used them in Germany (didn't realise any English clubs had them!), and it is really quick and efficient

Not to mention it opens up a whole new world of options for the club - widespread database, ability to track usage, can be used like the Tesco Clubcard etc.

Chelsea have them too. In fact Chelsea season ticket holders are allowed to give their seat to somebody else if they can't make the game as long as they assume full responsibility for said persons actions.

I'm sure we all stick to the dumbass non-transferable rule at STFC don't we ;)

I guess cost prohibits deployment of swipecard turnstyles for us.

Its a great idea as they get points for matches attended, even the friendlies which eventually go towards priority tickets etc.

A friend of mine who happens to be a genuine fan goes to more games further a field/abroad etc. that he wouldn't normally go to just to earn more points. I think the supporters may get rewarded etc. with vouchers etc.

Saves the club money in the long run not printing paper tickets etc.

It sounds like an expensive waste of money to me.

Agreed.

When i went to watch Reading Vs Q.P.R i didnt realise they had the electronic ticket thingy, got to say i was impressed though.

man city also have electronic turnstyles. so much easier and quicker

top idea,floating around the stadium like an angel!