Are we now just accepting the ST price increases then?

[sherlock]

If he doesn't care why is he still here?

Didn't say he doesn't care about the club, but he hasn't given a toss about the fans for years.

 

[Prefix_T]

But surely if we spent less on players then we would not compete at the top of the table and support would drop off.
Of course we all want cheaper tickets but realistically we are going to have to work towards that next season.

Yes sure, I’ve perhaps not worded it too well but my point was there are better ways to generate the very small (relatively) additional income quoted. And that was how the Bayern Munich guy phrased it which I liked.

I think we’ll have less money to spend on players because fans are feeling alienated (understandably, given the very poor way this has been communicated, at least initially but the damage is done) and we’ll sell less STs resulting in a revenue loss, not a gain.

I’m not party to the detailed numbers obviously, but we could sell more tickets for less individually, and generate more income over all. And get more in the ground, and improve the atmosphere, and benefit team performance. And we could sort out the abysmal failings of concourse retailing and not put so many people off from buying because service is faster in a village pub! And we could significantly improve the merchandise retailing operation. And, and, and…

We should generate as much money as we can and we should spend more on players not less, but not just turn to the fans to increase revenue. So I think we agree. But if we gerenate less money, which I think we will, we can’t and we won’t.

 

[fmttmadmin]

Do you not think that's actually worse?
They've got a waiting list for season ticket holders yet still don't rip their fans off. The demand is actually there and they could probably raise their prices by £100 and still sell their STs but they don't

What do you mean? - it costs £41 to sit behind a goal at either end at Leeds. That is £9 more than at Boro. And they have parachute payments.

 

[B_G]

What do you mean? - it costs £41 to sit behind a goal at either end at Leeds. That is £9 more than at Boro. And they have parachute payments.

Their cheapest season tickets for 24/25 are £435

 

[fmttmadmin]

Their cheapest season tickets for 24/25 are £435

Do we know how many there are though at this rate? It is a great price but are there 500 or 5000?
Should we compare that price to our Family Enclosure tickets - £510 but kids get in free with this - I think that is 600 free tickets. I know this is a specific area but it is actually a lot of tickets.

 

[davidmills]

Sell Hoppe keep prices same
Win win

 

[Unravel_Morrison]

Do we know how many there are though at this rate? It is a great price but are there 500 or 5000?
Should we compare that price to our Family Enclosure tickets - £510 but kids get in free with this - I think that is 600 free tickets. I know this is a specific area but it is actually a lot of tickets.

It's not free; it's included in the price.

I don't really care about Leeds but you can't really compare us with a side whose lowest league attendance this season is higher than our best attended match.

 

[h_m_boro]

I'm waiting to see what the walk up prices will be, and eagerly await how much more expensive it will be for me not to be able to afford it.

Best part of £80-100 to buy tickets for me and the kids......although, hey, £15 for my 10 yr old is now classed as a bargain........

 

[Linny]

No we are not - but everyone renewing is surely doing so in the hope that we will be next season.

That's what the club are banking on. Fans hope.

In reality we are paying the highest costs in the division but being out performed by many others year after year. Since relegation in 2009 we have had one promotion season and 3 play off seasons (one final) in 14 years.

10 years of 14 outside of the play offs but paying the highest prices, something doesn't add up.

 

[Redwurzel]

If you get hold of a copy of the latest FMTTM Mag - there's a very interesting article about a chap and his Dad have been attending games since the Ayresome Angels days at Ayresome Park. In it, he describes why he and his Dad have felt a gradual disconnect between football and the average fan. He quotes lots of examples. He also points to the huge cost of a season card for him and his Dad and has decided not to renew for the first time in well over 50 years. Furthermore, he says he will listen to BBC Tees and has decided that is IT for him and his Dad. Well worth a read.

Hi Roofie

I respect long term fans like this, but I think memories are becoming a bit selective with some fans.

Ayresome Park typically had crowds of 10k (70s and 80s) and the atmosphere for the average game was not as good as the average game at the Riverside. I was there. As the 1970s progressed the atmosphere actually became more violent and by the mid 80s very poor and violent many people were put off going. I am sure Rob Nichols will generally back me up on this. AP was not unique, but had a reputation as one of the most dangerous grounds to visit for away fans.

Fans may feel disconnected with players earning £20k/week and coming from a completely different culture say West Africa opposed to Chesterfield, but the African player seems to me just as committed when playing as the Chesterfield one. The wages and background are issues common to high level football in England. MFC does many more times community work now that he did 50 years ago. The Club is much more involved in the local community that it ever was

If the fan who wrote has been coming since 1967 he must be 65 or very close to it and his dad in his eighties. A renewing 65 year old can buy a season ticket for £390 in the Lower West Stand (£16.96/match) probably with a free pint every game. Not cheap, but less than 2 weeks State Pension (£203.85/week).

 

[18MFC76]

What do you mean? - it costs £41 to sit behind a goal at either end at Leeds. That is £9 more than at Boro. And they have parachute payments.

True but if you are taking a couple of kids under 11 it only costs you either £9 or £10 each for the kids depending on game category.

 

[Prefix_T]

If he doesn't care why is he still here?
I believe he is still driven by a mission to take us back into the top flight.
He isn't in it for his own glory or for his own financial gain. He personally is losing out massively. You may say he can afford it but it is still millions of pounds a year.


I think he believes with so much bad stuff happening around here that the club both as a major employer and also as a deliverer of dreams is more important than ever to the morale of Teesside.
I know I will be attacked for this - but that is what I reckon he really believes.

In my experience they are well on top of the figures and care very much indeed. It will hurt them a great deal if there is a big decline in ticket sales - and that will hurt all of us in terms of match experience and possibly in terms of ability to compete. I really don't take to the argument that we should buy less players - I do not believe most people would want to pay for a team sinking down the divisions. And as Lennie Lawrence said you cannot stand still in football you spring forward or fall back.
What is the answer? I really don't know - football at the Championship level is in an appalling mess financially - the Premier League has a lot to answer for and a lot of money it refuses to share.

If he doesn't care why is he still here?
I believe he is still driven by a mission to take us back into the top flight.
He isn't in it for his own glory or for his own financial gain. He personally is losing out massively. You may say he can afford it but it is still millions of pounds a year.


I think he believes with so much bad stuff happening around here that the club both as a major employer and also as a deliverer of dreams is more important than ever to the morale of Teesside.
I know I will be attacked for this - but that is what I reckon he really believes.

In my experience they are well on top of the figures and care very much indeed. It will hurt them a great deal if there is a big decline in ticket sales - and that will hurt all of us in terms of match experience and possibly in terms of ability to compete. I really don't take to the argument that we should buy less players - I do not believe most people would want to pay for a team sinking down the divisions. And as Lennie Lawrence said you cannot stand still in football you spring forward or fall back.
What is the answer? I really don't know - football at the Championship level is in an appalling mess financially - the Premier League has a lot to answer for and a lot of money it refuses to share.

Missing the point re buying less players (see full reply). Not suggesting that at all. Should generate more income and buy more / better players, we all want that. The money from this, if it was realised and it won’t be for me, is a drop in the ocean and the terrible way it’s been communicated will result in a loss not a gain.

 

[Redwurzel]

That's what the club are banking on. Fans hope.

In reality we are paying the highest costs in the division but being out performed by many others year after year. Since relegation in 2009 we have had one promotion season and 3 play off seasons (one final) in 14 years.

10 years of 14 outside of the play offs but paying the highest prices, something doesn't add up.

Linny

The not adding up is partly the way some club owners have subsidised their teams more than others to help them finish above.

Bournemouth, Villa, Derby and now Forest have actually being caught. Unfortunately after the event.

Some seasons we have finished above clubs with parachute payments and we have not had them that season. For example last season we finished above Norwich, Watford and WBA. In the media it is said parachute payments are worth £50m a season now that is massive in the Championship.

We did really miss our chance in 2017-19 when we had parachute payments and yes we under performed in terms of points per revenue then. We have had 2 seasons out of 13 seasons where we finished bottom half and yes that is underperformance too.

 

[atypical_boro]

If he doesn't care why is he still here?
I believe he is still driven by a mission to take us back into the top flight.
He isn't in it for his own glory or for his own financial gain. He personally is losing out massively. You may say he can afford it but it is still millions of pounds a year.

That was true in the past, but he isn't losing out now by continuing with his mission, compared to the alternatives. Yes he wants to take us back to the top flight, and partly because he wants the Teesside public to benefit from it (and partly because he wants to be revered for it again), but partly because it will raise the value of his asset substantially as well.

He'd be losing out more by selling the club now (or in reality writing off the debt/giving the club away for nowt).

I bet he wishes he'd sold the club a few years ago to be honest, but if he got a realistic offer now I think he'd be daft not to take it in truth. Rather than continue throwing good money after bad.

 

[Redwurzel]

True but if you are taking a couple of kids under 11 it only costs you either £9 or £10 each for the kids depending on game category.

If its £41 at Leeds for adult and £10 for child that is £51 for adult and child @ Leeds. How is that cheaper than at Boro?

 

[atypical_boro]

Their cheapest season tickets for 24/25 are £435

Not forgetting they very well might be in the PL.

 

[B_G]

Not forgetting they very well might be in the PL.

Yeah they've stated same prices for either division. Obviously price per match does increase if they are promoted because it covers 4 less games

 

[atypical_boro]

Yeah they've stated same prices for either division. Obviously price per match does increase if they are promoted because it covers 4 less games

Indeed but if you were a casual fan living in North Yorkshire who fancied getting into football for a club in the vicinity what would you rather pay, £435 for 19 matches in the PL or £510 for 23 matches in the Championship?

I've defended the club/Gibson so much over the years but they've really 5hit the bed this year. Especially after what's been a largely mediocre season.

 

[18MFC76]

If its £41 at Leeds for adult and £10 for child that is £51 for adult and child @ Leeds. How is that cheaper than at Boro?

I said a couple of kids read the post.

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

I don’t much like the idea that supporters not renewing or not attending on a casual basis would potentially stop us from competing at the top end of the table. It puts the spotlight in the wrong place. You can’t expect people to carry on paying whatever the club charges out of loyalty or because it’s the only way we can go up. It’s not right.