um pahars

I would imagine that many would sympathise with yours and other retirees plight and hope there is a happy ending here. I also like to think good of my Club and would like to think that they will address this anomaly. Have faith.

We've always had a decent reputation (and a decent success rate) since the early 80's and it makes sense to try and ensure this legacy continues. We obviously can't compete with the big clubs with regards wonga, so need to be loooking for every opportunity to punch above our weight. My only concern would be with regards the "stories" you hear of even the young lads being offered large envelopes just to sign for some of the "bigger club's academies", but that doesn't mean we shouldn't look to create a niche reputation of being the best Academy south of line from London to Birmingham.

I reckon there might be a bit of influx there next season!!! Think our lot of Block 34 Kingslander's are considering moving. I'm just not sure about being surrounded by a load of screaming kids!!!! I put up with it for that celebration game a few weeks back, but a whole season and I might go a bit loopy!!!

You mentioned this before, then disappeared!!! We were told it was 100's!!! Where did you get your 28 from???

U 11's for free is an excellent initiative and the Club should be applauded for it. As you say it gets kids involved at a young age and hoepfully brings throught the next batch of fans. If we end up moving to The Chapel (not overly happy Exit2!!!!!), then i might just get one and take my nephew to the odd game.

A valid reason, but one that I have issues with. Firstly, there's an element of risk involved. Using my seat (£465 vs £27), someone would have to go 18 times over the course of a season to bring in more revenue than a season ticket. Throw in a poor run, nothing games at the end of the season (hopefully not), unattractive opposition, holidays, competing events, evening games, poor weather, illness etc, then racking up 18 games might be a bit of a challenge (I kknow I missed about 5 last season and that was with an upfront season ticket) Secondly, I just think that season tickets underpin attendances and the increased experience as a result. Additionally, a big take up starts to reduce the tickets available increasing the sense of exclusivity and wanting to be a part of "it". It also gets people hooked in for the long run and more likely to buy a season ticket when we need them most. If this was a plausible reason, then why do so many clubs seek to maximise season ticket sales??? Most clubs go for a decent figure and only cap it with a few thousand to spare to ensure that some are available to the causal fan to keep them interested.

So why does every other club do it? I'm sure that for other clubs the need to get money in early is paramount, but if we are wanting to be self sufficient, then shouldn't we be looking to act prudently. Secondly, I'm sure the reason why others open their window early, promote season tickets and offer incentives is to increase the overall number sold. No idea where the balance between these two reasons lie, but IMHO an early and longer window will have an impact on the volume sold I'm not saying the minority is always wrong, but you have to wonder why we restrict it to a late 5 week window, when others are going for a window of 5 months.

I was posting something similar when Saint Clark shut down the other thread!!!! I personally think the Norwich prices were par and ours are at the top end, but everyone's opinions on ticket prices are tainted by their own personal situations. Personally, I'll pay the £465 but a few of "our lot" have already called/texted saying it might be a tad too much (particularly those with young 'uns) and will either move to The Chapel or drop it and pay as you go.

My beef isn't how long you have to save up, but instead why are we limiting the time we have to shift 16,000+ season tickets??? Surely a big marketing push, trading off the back of the promotion euphoria, getting people hooked early on and a longer purchasing window would have meant more sales! Can anyone give a reason why you would want to restrict the amount of time you have to sell a product (don't really buy the exclusivity argument as there would still be thousands left even after the most successful sales window)????

Going the other way, I'd say Kevin Davies. A player, who the current manager (who we all had complete faith in) didn't fancy, who then went on to perform for 8+ seasons in the top flight.

I think Norwich had the balance about right, but I think trying to come to a price that you feel is "about right" is almost impossible to achieve and will very often be biased by the financial situation of those who are trying to justify £380 or £465. I can afford £465, but have already had a few phone calls/texts by some in my group who think the price is steep (and coupled with increases for kids might mean we are moving to The Chapel or they are not renewing). Problem is that judging by the opportunity to purchase being only 5 weeks (see below), then I have to say I'm not as confident as you are with regards the research that the Club seem to have undertaken here. I think our prices are at the top end of whaty I was expecting, and whilst I personally think they should be a bit cheaper, the price is not my main issue. My main beef is how we have sety ourselves up to shift them. But once you've agreed your prices (however optimum you think they are), then what are you gaining by restricting the time in which they can be purchased??? Other clubs such as Norwich spread their season ticket sales over five months, we have chosen to spread them over five weeks.

FWIW, here's StuRomseySaint's "Price Comparison Index" (I take no blame for any inaccuracies): For the relegated teams and those in the top half last season or of similar size to us. 'R' is for Renewal Price 'N' for New STH Leeds - R) *? N) £612 Ipswich - R) £480 N) £507 Saints - R) £465 N) £540 West Ham - R) £515 N) £515 P*mpey - R) *? N) £499 Cardiff - R) £399 N) £419 Watford - R) £395 N) £395 Reading - R) £395 N) £395 Leicester - R) £379 N) £379 Forest - R) £378 N) £405 Birmingham - R) £369 N) £369 Burnley - R) £368 N) £368 Blackpool - R) £339 N) £339 Derby - R) £270 N) £350 *? - Could not find early bird prices. All prices based on the cheapest adult standard ticket ( not family enclosure or restricted view )

They weren't dirt cheap. The cheapest "normal" seats started off at £389 in February and ended up at £435 in April. What was different was how they used bands of renewal prices with time limits on them, 12 month interest free credit schemes, good marketing and communication and they kick-started the selling of tickets in February. Of course there has to be a balance between maximising revenue and maximising ticket sales and I'm not suggesting they should be piled high and sold cheap, just that we should have been more imaginitive and engaging with regards shifting them at a sensible price. Have to say that I don't buy this at all. I'm sure we'll have a nose around at what others are charging (with a pang of pride or jealousy), but very much doubt that what others are charging will have any discernible impact on what we are prepared to pay. For the core support I have no doubt that the majority would renew even if there was only a week to do it in, but as the 10,000 spare seats for most games showed last year, there is still a very large audience out there who need to be enticed back. Giving them three weeks (with some steep season ticket prices) doesn't seem to be the most aggressive sales policy.

If you're in full time employment and aged between 60 and 65 then isn't there an argument that you should pay the same whack as the rest of us who are working??? If, however, you are in that age bracket, are retired and are renewing, then isn't there some way the Club could cut you lot some slack???? Obvious to the Club if you are renewing, but is there also some way to prove you are not in employment (Pension book???). As you say would it be possible for them to honour the existing concessions???

Hello dinlo man!!!!!!! You've forgotten......... Brentford!!!! (and maybe Reading)

If, after signing Forte, someone had tweeted in relation to the signing and used the term "N*gg*r", then I would have been 100% behind NC if he considered banning him. If anything, I think it makes Norwich look even more impressive that they will not toleraste racist abuse.

I make £465 over a 40% increase which to be honest was more than I was expecting. Was last year's £328 a bargain, or is this new price a bit steep???? Looking back at the last time we played in the Championship I paid £380, so even allowing for three years inflation the current prices are a bit more. 2 weeks for renewals and only 3 weeks for new purchases just seems too short if we're trying to boost crowds and income??? Must be the shortest window in the League.

I think normal business models don't apply for the hard core who would sign up come what may, but as the reduction in attendances has shown since we fell out of the Premiership, we do have a sizeable number of supporters who need to be enticed back to SMS. I'm sure success and winning games will win some back, but we should also be doing all we can to attract those who aren't as hooked on Saints (or who have other competing options).

You have to wonder what all those other stupid clubs are doing selling their season tickets over a much longer period!!!!! How come we're the only ones who do it right by having such a short window????

But do you not think we might have been able to shift some more had we opened it up earlier and then traded off of the euphoria of promotion?? I'll happily take my hat off to Cortese and co. if they come up with some fabulous strategy over the next couple of months, but will feel somewhat disappointed if we just get an average price and a month or so to renew.

Here's some of my reasons: 1) I think season tickets underpin attendances and I prefer watching Saints in a ground that's busy with a decent atmosphere. 2) I think attendances and support could have a positive impact on what happens on the pitch (however marginal) and would prefer my team to have every advantage possible going in to home matches. 3) Decent attendances will go some way to making us self sufficient or perhaps increasing our financial muscle, which in turn might create a virtuous cycle whereby more money equates to better players, which might lead to to better performances, which means higher attendances etc etc etc 4) From a sense of personal and collective pride, I think there's something nice to be said about your club pulling in a decent crowd. 5) I also think it it's somewhat self fulfilling with decent gates creating a sense of achievement which others then want to partake in (I'm sure stories of potential sell outs make some people think they want a "bit of this"). I'm sure there are more, but does that help as a start???

Would be disappointed with 15k (didn't we have 14k this year??). Would prefer closer to your top end (although think we should be emulating Norwich!!).

Would you vote for me Dune (I'm a Socialist BTW)???

Have to say that I thought it was a really great shirt (might have something to do with no logo). That said, I'm torn between continuing with a sash and the stripes we are so famous for.

When other clubs open up their season ticket sales "early" they do so for two reasons. Firstly to provide some income over the barren summer months & improve cashflow, and secondly to provide the longest possible time to make those sales (usually by offering incentives, marketing pushes, garnering a sense of belonging etc). Whilst it could be argued that bringing in cash is not as imperative for us (given the way we are being "supported" by the Liebherr Legacy), I always thought we were still being run as a prudent business and looking to get towards being in a position where we were self sufficient. It therefore seems strange that we wouldn't want to bring cash through the door as quickly as possible. On the second one, whilst it is impossible to quantify I just can't help but think that the late announcement will have some impact on the take up. Given the euphoria and positivity following promotion we should have been trading off the back of that (and we should have had our core season ticket renewals already sorted before promotion was achieved). I take on board Trousers points about there being a point where walk ups might provide more income than season ticket sales, but I think it is a very fine balance and I think most clubs would rather have a guaranteed income than having to rely on pay on the days to bring in the bacon. Additionally, I have to say I'm not overly comfortable with that strategy, both from an emotional and an economic perspective. As others have said, season tickets are more than just a guaranteed seat at a preferential basis, for some it is a sense of belonging and an emotional attachment to their Club. One only has to look at a Club like Norwich to see how being pro-active and engaging brings in some pretty decent season ticket stats.