Middlesbrough Supporters Forum - Tonight

fmttmadmin said:
So, you would label fans that support their club home and away "elitist" and "superfans." Don't you think that might be condescending and insulting?
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No. I label the ones that think they deserve to always be at the front of the queue to be the elitist and self-appointed superfans. The ones that support the club home and away but are grown up and aware enough to realise that they don' deserve special treatment are fine.
 
Nano said:
No. I label the ones that think they deserve to always be at the front of the queue to be the elitist and self-appointed superfans. The ones that support the club home and away but are grown up and aware enough to realise that they don' deserve special treatment are fine.
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They don't get special treatment because they buy their tickets.
 
I have a pal that books coaches for away fans. The fact he knows that he can half fill a coach for the season means he can block book it and get it at a far cheaper rate for everyone. The same will obviously apply on a bigger scale for Boro's travel club.

Going further than that we all gain. If the ticket office can estimate the demand through the season for away games then they know how many tickets to ask for. Regulars help them arrive at this figure. Again we all win from this. Fans that travel regularly, not every game but multiple games a season helps the club predict ticket numbers and be confident about pitching this number higher rather than lower.

If you insult regular away fans you are almost certainly insulting regular home fans. As a business if you alienate them then you are not going to be to replace their numbers.

Nano - what you say is a direct insult aimed at people like me. Yet the number of away season tickets is dwindling. Most away games go to General Sale. People that would like to follow their club to multiple games need to be able to book their transport, possibly their accomodation as far as advance as they can. I think we should open up the loyalty/priority but stripping it away completely I would say would mean less travelling and more expensive travel, with possibly less tickets for all.
 
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fmttmadmin said:
I have a pal that books coaches for away fans. The fact he knows that he can half fill a coach for the season means he can block book it and get it at a far cheaper rate for everyone. The same will obviously apply on a bigger scale for Boro's travel club.

Going further than that we all gain. If the ticket office can estimate the demand through the season for away games then they know how many tickets to ask for. Regulars help them arrive at this figure. Again we all win from this. Fans that travel regularly, not every game but multiple games a season helps the club predict ticket numbers and be confident about pitching this number higher rather than lower.

If you insult regular away fans you are almost certainly insulting regular home fans. As a business if you alienate them then you are not going to be to replace their numbers.

Nano - what you say is a direct insult aimed at people like me. Yet the number of away season tickets is dwindling. Most away games go to General Sale. People that would like to follow their club to multiple games need to be able to book their transport, possibly their accomodation as far as advance as they can. I think we should open up the loyalty/priority but stripping it away completely I would say would mean less travelling and more expensive travel, with possibly less tickets for all.
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No it isn't an insult and don't be so sensitive about it. I think it is far more insulting to the other 18k season ticket holders that might want to go to a specific away game but have zero chance because a small group of fans has decided that they should go to 100% of games. Nothing you have said there as a reason would prevent you from going to any of those games or putting any of those coaches on etc because the only time your priority points are needed are the occasions where demand is too high, not too low.

It's not happened yet but what happens if we end up in a situation where every away match is a sellout? It does happen at other clubs so it isn't an impossible scenario. Do you really think it is fair that the same group of people would go to every single game and others get to go to none? Remember that it is not a punishment or a sacrifice that you go to away games. It is a very privileged position to be in to be able to do so. It is a hobby that you are choosing to pursue and you aren't doing anyone a favour. The priority scheme is elitist and prevents people from even having the chance to attend specific games.

You are a socialist so you should be able to understand. Ask yourself really who benefits from the priority scheme. Is it everyone or is it a very small number of people? Is there a reason that we need a system to benefit a small minority more than the large majority? The club doesn't lose out in any way if the 2k Sunderland tickets are taken by people at their first ever away match. The only people that lose out are the individuals that want to go but can't and I don't see any reason why one season ticket holder should have preferential treatment over another. You are happy that the people with fewer points than you don't get to go ever but you get to go every season. It would be more fair if you went one week that you join the back of the queue the next week and not the front. It's just so obviously a system set up to be deliberately unfair.

I've never heard an argument other than "why should someone get to go to Sunderland away if they haven't been to Swansea away?" like it's some special achievement to be able to do your hobby more than someone else. I'd love to hear any valid reasons other than entitlement for a priority scheme. I fully understand why plenty of people support a priority scheme, because they benefit from it. The same way the wealthy support low taxes.
 
I know this has been done to death but can you please just implore them to get a good level of kits in stock for the start of the season so I can actually buy my kids one this season.

Living away from Teesside it's near impossible to get them one as it stands.
 
Nano said:
No it isn't an insult and don't be so sensitive about it. I think it is far more insulting to the other 18k season ticket holders that might want to go to a specific away game but have zero chance because a small group of fans has decided that they should go to 100% of games. Nothing you have said there as a reason would prevent you from going to any of those games or putting any of those coaches on etc because the only time your priority points are needed are the occasions where demand is too high, not too low.

It's not happened yet but what happens if we end up in a situation where every away match is a sellout? It does happen at other clubs so it isn't an impossible scenario. Do you really think it is fair that the same group of people would go to every single game and others get to go to none? Remember that it is not a punishment or a sacrifice that you go to away games. It is a very privileged position to be in to be able to do so. It is a hobby that you are choosing to pursue and you aren't doing anyone a favour. The priority scheme is elitist and prevents people from even having the chance to attend specific games.

You are a socialist so you should be able to understand. Ask yourself really who benefits from the priority scheme. Is it everyone or is it a very small number of people? Is there a reason that we need a system to benefit a small minority more than the large majority? The club doesn't lose out in any way if the 2k Sunderland tickets are taken by people at their first ever away match. The only people that lose out are the individuals that want to go but can't and I don't see any reason why one season ticket holder should have preferential treatment over another. You are happy that the people with fewer points than you don't get to go ever but you get to go every season. It would be more fair if you went one week that you join the back of the queue the next week and not the front. It's just so obviously a system set up to be deliberately unfair.

I've never heard an argument other than "why should someone get to go to Sunderland away if they haven't been to Swansea away?" like it's some special achievement to be able to do your hobby more than someone else. I'd love to hear any valid reasons other than entitlement for a priority scheme. I fully understand why plenty of people support a priority scheme, because they benefit from it. The same way the wealthy support low taxes.
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How would you sell tickets for the popular games then? Would it just be a free for all online? Queues at the Riverside? How would you allocate for cup finals if we got there, same again?
 
BoroPhil said:
How would you sell tickets for the popular games then? Would it just be a free for all online? Queues at the Riverside? How would you allocate for cup finals if we got there, same again?
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A ballot. It's 2025 so the technology is trivial and it's the fairest way and also a much better system than first come first served like a queue.

Cup finals would exceed the number of season ticket holders so no problem.
 
AytonMews said:
A more accurate question would be “why should someone who made the effort to travel to Swansea away lose out on a Sunderland away ticket to someone who watched in on telly”
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Hahaha. Because it's not an effort. It's a hobby. It's a choice you make to do something you want to do. Same way I shouldn't get a reserved seat in the pub on a Saturday just because I was there on a Tuesday.
 
What about non ST holder who has been to every round of the cup but then misses out on a cup final ticket to a bloke who hasn’t been to a match in years but fancies a weekend down in the smoke.

Fair?
 
Nano said:
No it isn't an insult and don't be so sensitive about it. I think it is far more insulting to the other 18k season ticket holders that might want to go to a specific away game but have zero chance because a small group of fans has decided that they should go to 100% of games. Nothing you have said there as a reason would prevent you from going to any of those games or putting any of those coaches on etc because the only time your priority points are needed are the occasions where demand is too high, not too low.

It's not happened yet but what happens if we end up in a situation where every away match is a sellout? It does happen at other clubs so it isn't an impossible scenario. Do you really think it is fair that the same group of people would go to every single game and others get to go to none? Remember that it is not a punishment or a sacrifice that you go to away games. It is a very privileged position to be in to be able to do so. It is a hobby that you are choosing to pursue and you aren't doing anyone a favour. The priority scheme is elitist and prevents people from even having the chance to attend specific games.

You are a socialist so you should be able to understand. Ask yourself really who benefits from the priority scheme. Is it everyone or is it a very small number of people? Is there a reason that we need a system to benefit a small minority more than the large majority? The club doesn't lose out in any way if the 2k Sunderland tickets are taken by people at their first ever away match. The only people that lose out are the individuals that want to go but can't and I don't see any reason why one season ticket holder should have preferential treatment over another. You are happy that the people with fewer points than you don't get to go ever but you get to go every season. It would be more fair if you went one week that you join the back of the queue the next week and not the front. It's just so obviously a system set up to be deliberately unfair.

I've never heard an argument other than "why should someone get to go to Sunderland away if they haven't been to Swansea away?" like it's some special achievement to be able to do your hobby more than someone else. I'd love to hear any valid reasons other than entitlement for a priority scheme. I fully understand why plenty of people support a priority scheme, because they benefit from it. The same way the wealthy support low taxes.
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I thought I was a fan of ‘loyalty’ points et al for fans.

You have really made me think though and, I’m now coming to the same conclusion as you.

Mind you - if I lose my seat in the pub there will be hell on
 
AytonMews said:
What about non ST holder who has been to every round of the cup but then misses out on a cup final ticket to a bloke who hasn’t been to a match in years but fancies a weekend down in the smoke.

Fair?
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Easy.

Season ticket holders all priority one. Priority points for all non-season ticket holders (maybe even a membership scheme that means something). General sale.

Even then, yes it's fair. I'm a non-season ticket holder that attends several home and away matches per year and I don't think I deserve a ticket anymore than any other non-season ticket holder. If I want a guaranteed ticket, or a better chance at one, I can buy a season ticket.
 
Nano said:
Easy.

Season ticket holders all priority one. Priority points for all non-season ticket holders (maybe even a membership scheme that means something). General sale.

Even then, yes it's fair. I'm a non-season ticket holder that attends several home and away matches per year and I don't think I deserve a ticket anymore than any other non-season ticket holder. If I want a guaranteed ticket, or a better chance at one, I can buy a season ticket.
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Basically we have system where STs get priority points, some get slighlty more points because they have been ST for very long periods, but we are talking an extra 6% or 12%.

The Current system is flexible enough to accommodate keen recent fans by allocating points per game.

If someone say goes to say 12 away games a season and all the home cup games they can they can still build up a reasonable number of points, without having to purchase a ST.

A 2 year old ST holder I think will get 140 points plus points for away games attended last season and home cup games - lets say they went to 12 away games (24points) and 2 home cup games last season (6pts) they will start on 170points for the first away game which will get them a ticket without been a "superfan".

Ref Ballots - how would you deal with family groupings?

If you feel non ST are getting a very raw deal it is possible to tweak the points system say award 5 points for an away ticket and 5 points for a home cup ticket, but leave the ST allocation the same.

Ref other clubs - some clubs new fans can't even buy a season ticket they have to go on a waiting list and even pay for the privilege.
 
I wouldn’t be against a set % of tickets being set aside for general sale for every match.

80% on a points system, 20% general sale.

But as Rob says, most matches go to general sale anyway.
 
fmttmadmin said:
Yet the number of away season tickets is dwindling
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Alongside the closed shop of gold card holders, here's something else that should be got rid of, or opened up to anyone who wants to buy one.

And I know you're going to come back and say there's very few people who have them, but that's irrelevant - another #superfan perk
 
Malaguena said:
Alongside the closed shop of gold card holders, here's something else that should be got rid of, or opened up to anyone who wants to buy one.

And I know you're going to come back and say there's very few people who have them, but that's irrelevant - another #superfan perk
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@fmttmadmin how can i purchase an away season ticket? dont see it listed online? i've already renewed but myself and my 15 year old son are keen to purchase one? i didnt even know these were a thing?
 
Apologies

Intro from Craig McManus

Any summer plans for stadium improvements?

any Fans Zone plans?

  • any plans for Clean up externally
  • any plans for Seats restoring
Safe Standing Trial Report + The Next Step?

Any Concourse plans?

  • More concourse TVs – someone asked from SW Upper – they say limited number of screens cause congestion
  • Why do food kiosks close after half time
  • 12th man update North Stand
Catering

Praise for Bar service improvement North Stand/East Stand

  • Can we set up another meeting before next season?
  • Joe feedback
  • Only one sugar free drink option – Diet Coke (full of caffeine)
Priority Points/Gold Cards Conversation

General points – any plans for changes – opening up Gold cards to younger fans

Why do kids renewing every year get less points.

Please keep physical season cards

Membership Card – refundable against 3rd match purchase?

A request for more Ticket Payment Options

Set up a Meeting with SeatGeek

Retail

Any update from fan engagement?

Call for higher stock levels

Long Sleeve shirts

PA Discussion

  • Brought from Level Playing Field Conference by Joe
Youth Panels – Scarlet/Monty

MEME Cards (Joe)

Rainbow Reds update (Shell)

A.O.B.
 
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