It really isn't rocket science, but Boro are past masters at getting it wrong:
Truth is, when the team is doing well, many of the issues drop off the radar and fans are just waiting for the next game (as last season). Most seasons however, we don't qualify for the play-off's and this leads on to questioning ticket prices.
We are amongst the most expensive in the country for ST's and the surcharge strategy for new ST's is brain-dead idiotic and the walk-up prices absolutely scandalous, I'm actually ashamed of them. Our overall strategic model is clearly a failure, as we charge supporters more than nearly all other clubs in our division, yet most seasons end with us outside of the top 6.
I've stated previously, the fee for Kavanagh could have been used to offset ST increases, or a fraction of the Rogers fee, or some of the Crooks fee. Nobody can claim that 600k is going to put a season defining dent in our so called 'war chest'.
Communication is abject from MFC, from the utterly tone-deaf renewal email (more of a threatening letter) to the meetings with fan 'representatives'. Those meetings are really riling people, as the perception is that they are more secretive than a North Korean war cabinet get together.
The retail operation is barely fit for purpose, yet on the Q&A to the Retail Manager, we were all basically informed that we were mistaken and didn't understand some of the complexities etc. Well guess what, some of the posters have worked in retail and at a high level for respected companies and just happen to have a modicum of knowledge and experience, enough to identify we sell old-fashioned tat at premium prices (when in stock!). The replies to many queries were pedantic and condescending and in some cases, plain wrong - mirroring recent comms from the club.
Travelling to away games, the club charge absolute top dollar for coach tickets, yet the standard of coach is very basic for this day and age - no phone charging etc, which is pretty standard. We always hear of clubs putting on free coaches, particularly on very long journeys. Plymouth away? a Pukka pie was provided. We have never offered the odd free coach initiative, making us an outlier when compared to our competitors.
Outside away stadiums and in the concourses, 'smaller' clubs are miles ahead of us, in terms of speed of service, choice, street food stalls etc. The Fan Zone has been an undoubted success - brilliant, so expand it, put a giant sail over it for wet weather, get some heaters in, big screens...this is basic retail acumen, to improve and build on a successful model. Knowing MFC, it'll be the same in 2044.
The club cannot reasonably be expected to respond to every gripe, observation, criticism etc, but some of these things are easy wins, basic business sense, decent customer service.
It is so very disappointing that my club have a very clear 'circle the wagons' auto response to any and all questioning, it is as if every question or observation or suggestion is automatically wrong.
I am in no doubt that the (pathetic) reduction from £19 to £15 for a CHILD'S ticket, was not offered due to Gibson being altruistic all of a sudden, nor seeing the light...it was because we had Norwich at home coming up live on Sky, with an organised walk-out planned.
Now we couldn't have that could we...
Long ramble so apologies, but it is so incredibly frustrating from our club, when there are some clear and obvious solutions to recent discord.
As a previous boss once said to me, "there are quite a few things on your head - hair, eyebrows, nose, mouth, teeth, lips...
start using your ears.
Truth is, when the team is doing well, many of the issues drop off the radar and fans are just waiting for the next game (as last season). Most seasons however, we don't qualify for the play-off's and this leads on to questioning ticket prices.
We are amongst the most expensive in the country for ST's and the surcharge strategy for new ST's is brain-dead idiotic and the walk-up prices absolutely scandalous, I'm actually ashamed of them. Our overall strategic model is clearly a failure, as we charge supporters more than nearly all other clubs in our division, yet most seasons end with us outside of the top 6.
I've stated previously, the fee for Kavanagh could have been used to offset ST increases, or a fraction of the Rogers fee, or some of the Crooks fee. Nobody can claim that 600k is going to put a season defining dent in our so called 'war chest'.
Communication is abject from MFC, from the utterly tone-deaf renewal email (more of a threatening letter) to the meetings with fan 'representatives'. Those meetings are really riling people, as the perception is that they are more secretive than a North Korean war cabinet get together.
The retail operation is barely fit for purpose, yet on the Q&A to the Retail Manager, we were all basically informed that we were mistaken and didn't understand some of the complexities etc. Well guess what, some of the posters have worked in retail and at a high level for respected companies and just happen to have a modicum of knowledge and experience, enough to identify we sell old-fashioned tat at premium prices (when in stock!). The replies to many queries were pedantic and condescending and in some cases, plain wrong - mirroring recent comms from the club.
Travelling to away games, the club charge absolute top dollar for coach tickets, yet the standard of coach is very basic for this day and age - no phone charging etc, which is pretty standard. We always hear of clubs putting on free coaches, particularly on very long journeys. Plymouth away? a Pukka pie was provided. We have never offered the odd free coach initiative, making us an outlier when compared to our competitors.
Outside away stadiums and in the concourses, 'smaller' clubs are miles ahead of us, in terms of speed of service, choice, street food stalls etc. The Fan Zone has been an undoubted success - brilliant, so expand it, put a giant sail over it for wet weather, get some heaters in, big screens...this is basic retail acumen, to improve and build on a successful model. Knowing MFC, it'll be the same in 2044.
The club cannot reasonably be expected to respond to every gripe, observation, criticism etc, but some of these things are easy wins, basic business sense, decent customer service.
It is so very disappointing that my club have a very clear 'circle the wagons' auto response to any and all questioning, it is as if every question or observation or suggestion is automatically wrong.
I am in no doubt that the (pathetic) reduction from £19 to £15 for a CHILD'S ticket, was not offered due to Gibson being altruistic all of a sudden, nor seeing the light...it was because we had Norwich at home coming up live on Sky, with an organised walk-out planned.
Now we couldn't have that could we...
Long ramble so apologies, but it is so incredibly frustrating from our club, when there are some clear and obvious solutions to recent discord.
As a previous boss once said to me, "there are quite a few things on your head - hair, eyebrows, nose, mouth, teeth, lips...
start using your ears.
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