Gold Season Card Holders

[theredrooster]

I understand about fairness but I think everyone who has renewed already should keep their tickets, the people who nailed their colours to the mast early doors and renewed before the tickets were on hold, the gold cards for continued loyalty and the people who used the small window of opportunity that opened after the gold card deadline, they can’t be penalised either, they did nothing wrong.

I hear what you're saying, but what about those season ticket holders who waited for communication from the club having last been told the deadline for renewal had been extended until further notice, only to then find they were locked out. Worse than that, after the door had been closed seemingly to all, a small proportion of fans were able to sneak in through a hole in the fence after the door had closed. These people have done nothing wrong either yet it looks like they could lose out, it's not been a fair system with equal chances for all.

 

[the_holgate_roof]

I hear what you're saying, but what about those season ticket holders who waited for communication from the club having last been told the deadline for renewal had been extended until further notice, only to then find they were locked out. Worse than that, after the door had been closed seemingly to all, a small proportion of fans were able to sneak in through a hole in the fence after the door had closed. These people have done nothing wrong either yet it looks like they could lose out, it's not been a fair system with equal chances for all.

do you think if you weren’t a gold card holder and had spotted that small window of opportunity , you would have used it or waited for the official message from the club?

 

[theredrooster]

do you think if you weren’t a gold card holder and had spotted that small window of opportunity , you would have used it or waited for the official message from the club?

Before doing anything I probably would have contacted the club first to ask whether the reopening of ticket sales was deliberate with formal communication to follow or if it was an error.

If I wasn't able to get a clear answer immediately then in all likelihood I would have done what others have done and renewed. However, I wouldn't feel my seat was guaranteed just because the payment processed and would be waiting for official communication from the club as it could easily be deemed an error and sales refunded as many other internet sales errors by other companies have over the years.

Even if I had snuck in during this window of opportunity I would still feel guilty and that the club had got it badly wrong. In the process shafting some loyal fans, even if I personally had benefitted from the situation. It's got to be done fairly.

 

[the_holgate_roof]

Before doing anything I probably would have contacted the club first to ask whether the reopening of ticket sales was deliberate with formal communication to follow or if it was an error.

If I wasn't able to get a clear answer immediately then in all likelihood I would have done what others have done and renewed. However, I wouldn't feel my seat was guaranteed just because the payment processed and would be waiting for official communication from the club as it could easily be deemed an error and sales refunded as many other internet sales errors by other companies have over the years.

Even if I had snuck in during this window of opportunity I would still feel guilty and that the club had got it badly wrong. In the process shafting some loyal fans, even if I personally had benefitted from the situation. It's got to be done fairly.

The window of opportunity was a Sunday, after the Gold Card renewal deadline expired on the Saturday, there wouldn’t have been anyone available from the club on a Sunday.

 

[theredrooster]

The window of opportunity was a Sunday, after the Gold Card renewal deadline expired on the Saturday, there wouldn’t have been anyone available from the club on a Sunday.

Fair point, I wasn't aware of that I thought it was Monday when the loophole opened. If that was the case I would have renewed then sought clarification from the club on the Monday.

 

[erimus86]

The club turned it into dog eat dog by not coming up with a consistent, fair and well communicated strategy for sales. Sad but true.

 

[DCI_Gene_Hunt]

Gold Cards - no one will lose any gold card privileges if they do not feel safe and secure renewing this season. The same applies to loyalty points etc. So, at the end of next season - it will be re-set time and everyone that was a Gold Card holder last season will have the opportunity to renew again without any loss of privilege etc. There is no pressure on people to renew or lose their gold card status.
I have just been in phone conversation with MFC Supporters officer to find out the official line.
Those wanting to buy kids tickets will be refunded later for their renewal if the numbers of sales goes beyond the new reduced capacity.
Maybe I should make this a sticky thread until everyone has had an opportunity to read it.

@Robert Nichols

Rob - could/would you be able/willing to say who actually gave you this information? Was their any official response from the MFC Supporters officer?

Also has anyone at the club indicated any sort of timescale to resolve all this? (incredibly difficult I know but League season starts 4 weeks today)

Its 3 weeks until the Caraboo Cup matches - any plans suggested for what happens if we are drawn at home? - doh!!! Of course no one will be allowed in, edited to highlight my advancing senility

 

[the_holgate_roof]

@Robert Nichols

Rob - could/would you be able/willing to say who actually gave you this information? Was their any official response from the MFC Supporters officer?

Also has anyone at the club indicated any sort of timescale to resolve all this? (incredibly difficult I know but League season starts 4 weeks today)

Its 3 weeks until the Caraboo Cup matches - any plans suggested for what happens if we are drawn at home?

Surely if we are drawn at home it will be behind closed doors, as will any home league fixtures in September, not even thinking about letting fans in til October at the earliest.

 

[rob_fmttm]

As it stands the games will be behind closed doors at the start of the season. We are seeing some tests today like the Snooker final.
The info was from emailing Yvonne Ferguson and then spoke on the phone - supporters liaison officer.
"I have just been in phone conversation with MFC Supporters officer to find out the official line."
We have that meeting in midweek next week when the idea is to present threads from fan opinion. At that point I expect we might find out a few operational pluses and minuses. Hopefully it is productive. And I really hope we all hear from the club afterwards.

 

[DCI_Gene_Hunt]

As it stands the games will be behind closed doors at the start of the season. We are seeing some tests today like the Snooker final.
The info was from emailing Yvonne Ferguson and then spoke on the phone - supporters liaison officer.
"I have just been in phone conversation with MFC Supporters officer to find out the official line."
We have that meeting in midweek next week when the idea is to present threads from fan opinion. At that point I expect we might find out a few operational pluses and minuses. Hopefully it is productive. And I really hope we all hear from the club afterwards.

Thanks Rob - re Caribou Cup - doh! Of course its behind closed doors...........................minds puddled...........

 

[DCI_Gene_Hunt]

Surely if we are drawn at home it will be behind closed doors, as will any home league fixtures in September, not even thinking about letting fans in til October at the earliest.

Yes, the mind is full of too much stuff, I obviously had a "moment" and completely forgot..........its an age thing!

 

[rob_fmttm]

It is such a short gap between seasons though - and so much going on. All very confusing.

 

[Pog]

Already renewed (not a gold card holder) month back. I might be the minority here but if I didn't get to every game that is open to fans this season at the riverside, I wouldn't be happy.

If games are closed due to covid and no fans like the last few games of the season just gone then that's ok, but I wouldn't be happy if the club decided to do say a lottery and everyone who hadn't renewed then got a shot.

I've not missed a home game for years, i would only miss if unwell.

That’s the selfish, boomer me-me attitude I was referring to last week

 

[ticker_tape]

You cant blame EB and GCH for getting in first, they didnt waste time and wait for poor outcomes to pass. Eventually all SCH and newbie SC purchaser can be welcome and then walk up part timers and away fans.

 

[Pog]

Even if I had snuck in during this window of opportunity I would still feel guilty and that the club had got it badly wrong. In the process shafting some loyal fans, even if I personally had benefitted from the situation. It's got to be done fairly.

Not even remotely guilty, MFC haven’t known their backside from their elbow throughout this entire process. It’s on them to fix this.

Rather than pushing to cancel other fans tickets, I suggest it would be far more productive and far less divisive if people lobby for all remaining SC holders to be able to renew.

 

[DCI_Gene_Hunt]

Not even remotely guilty, MFC haven’t known their backside from their elbow throughout this entire process. It’s on them to fix this.

Rather than pushing to cancel other fans tickets, I suggest it would be far more productive and far less divisive if people lobby for all remaining SC holders to be able to renew.

And then we can have an argument about what ever system is set up to decide who is allowed into watch the matches because we'll have more season ticket holders than capacity permits.

MFC will have to allocate who sits where on a match by match basis to satisfy social distancing/house bubbles.

MFC will have to refund everyone who buys a ticket but then isn't allowed to attend the game.

People who have bought season tickets now could rightly argue that they were sold under false pretences.

How things have been managed have been a total disaster by the club and the appalling lack of communication from the club has exasperated it but the only way forward now is for the club to sell what ever remaining season tickets they are permitted to do so on a first come first served basis.

Yes that will frustrate a lot of people. It may well turn some people away from the club, perhaps for ever but you cant get 16,000 season ticket holders into a ground that will only be able to hold ~9000

 

[ticker_tape]

Not even remotely guilty, MFC haven’t known their backside from their elbow throughout this entire process. It’s on them to fix this.

Rather than pushing to cancel other fans tickets, I suggest it would be far more productive and far less divisive if people lobby for all remaining SC holders to be able to renew.

But then the EBSCH and GCH who paid up ages ago are being punished for renewing without knowing the outcome to the season. Up in the mornings the game,its too late too share with fence sitters now its only weeks away.

 

[Pog]

And then we can have an argument about what ever system is set up to decide who is allowed into watch the matches because we'll have more season ticket holders than capacity permits.

MFC will have to allocate who sits where on a match by match basis to satisfy social distancing/house bubbles.

MFC will have to refund everyone who buys a ticket but then isn't allowed to attend the game.

People who have bought season tickets now could rightly argue that they were sold under false pretences.

How things have been managed have been a total disaster by the club and the appalling lack of communication from the club has exasperated it but the only way forward now is for the club to sell what ever remaining season tickets they are permitted to do so on a first come first served basis.

Yes that will frustrate a lot of people. It may well turn some people away from the club, perhaps for ever but you cant get 16,000 season ticket holders into a ground that will only be able to hold ~9000

There are plenty of clubs bigger than ours having to deal with this.

As I’ve said from the beginning it’s all pretty simple:

• Speak to current season card holders, they’ll find there’s plenty that would rather not go this season but renewed to protect their status. That’ll free up capacity.
• Put a ballot system in place where fans can apply for each fixture and a refunded pro-rata if they’re unsuccessful
• All 19/20 SC holders retain their GC or Chairman’s Drink status regardless of whether they renewed this season or not

 

[Pog]

But then the EBSCH and GCH who paid up ages ago are being punished for renewing without knowing the outcome to the season. Up in the mornings the game,its too late too share with fence sitters now its only weeks away.

How exactly are they being punished?

Are you really calling those who were concerned they’d catch a potential lethal virus when going to watch their team fence sitters?

 

[DCI_Gene_Hunt]

There are plenty of clubs bigger than ours having to deal with this.

As I’ve said from the beginning it’s all pretty simple:

• Speak to current season card holders, they’ll find there’s plenty that would rather not go this season but renewed to protect their status. That’ll free up capacity.
• Put a ballot system in place where fans can apply for each fixture and a refunded pro-rata if they’re unsuccessful
• All 19/20 SC holders retain their GC or Chairman’s Drink status regardless of whether they renewed this season or not

Nothing is ever simple with MFC

How do you know that of the 7900 who have renewed there are "plenty" who would choose not to go, how many is plenty? Have you spoken to "plenty" of the 7900?

Why bother with a ballot? Sell the maximum tickets available and maximise income. The club needs it. What ever the club do some people will be disenfranchised, alienated, the club cannot appease everyone.

How many tickets do you suggest the club sell as season tickets and then hold back for ballots then? What if the club end up not selling the balloted tickets and lose income?? Someone said we'd never had less than 9000 at the Riverside for a league game. Well we've never played in a Covid affected season before and although we've had poor teams last seasons is up there with poor teams of the Riverside era. Looking at the current squad there's not much optimism for it to be a great deal better next season so <9000 might be a first.

You haven't commented on how the club are supposed to manage allocating seats to comply with social distancing/bubbles if matches are balloted and it has to be done on a match by match basis.

• All 19/20 SC holders retain their GC or Chairman’s Drink status regardless of whether they renewed this season or not - I agree.