stevegrant

To be fair, the flights out had already been booked based on Biel's announcement a couple of weeks ago, so it was just a case of finding the best option for travelling back. Unfortunately, flights out of Switzerland are horrendously expensive, especially at weekends, so Munich was the next best option. I was looking at flying back from Dusseldorf as Fortuna Dusseldorf are at home on the Sunday, but the train connection was about £150 and would have involved getting up at about 4am to make the 1.30pm kickoff German third division fixtures are out today, so I'm hoping that Unterhaching (small suburb of Munich) are at home on the opening day of the season.

No idea how many we'd sell, but I think in previous years we've had as many as 10k. That would clearly be very optimistic for a scheme that hasn't existed for a few years, but shows the potential.

Can't see them being based in Interlaken again, simply because the two games are both miles away from there. I'm flying into Zurich on the morning of the Biel game, and then back from Munich on the Tuesday after.

It may well be "cheap" compared to the likes of Arsenal, Man United, Chelsea and Spurs, but does it provide value for money? I'd say it doesn't even come close, especially when a season ticket generally gives you a decent discount on the matchday price.

Depends exactly how much of a hassle and cost it actually is, I guess. Initially the only admin is data entry and a single payment procession. Then they would have an extra sales period for individual match tickets, but that's just setting a series of dates and deadlines, surely no big deal? The only situation I can think of where it becomes a pain is for a cup final where the allocation is smaller than the combined total of ST holders and members - what's the likelihood of that situation arising in the short to medium-term? Slim, I'd bet. The previous two Pompey away games have gone to general sale as the ballot was undersubscribed.

While £14 is clearly ridiculous, and Torquay have had a big say in it, I'll nominate Burton Albion for "wild optimist of the competition" as they insisted tickets for their game at Burnley were set at £15

It's an odd situation not having a membership scheme when there are clearly many fans who can't get a season ticket for whatever reason who would probably be willing to pay up to £25 just for the "privilege" of having a Saints-branded card with their name and customer number on it and getting second dibs on away tickets. It's basically free money for the club.

£14? Think I'll pass on that one...

I don't think any one of us would have done anything different. If your company CEO told you that the manager of the company's main department was about to be fired and asked if you'd be interested in replacing him, as it was a step up from your current role, would you really say "no thanks"? I certainly wouldn't.

Fair to say he seems to like near-impossible jobs

Sorted

£57. Not cheap, but not completely horrific either.

At least we're not Leicestershire, bowled out for 48 this morning

Hilariously, the Welsh and Scottish FA have reacted to this news in somewhat contrary fashion, claiming that no such agreement exists Don't see why it matters to the Scots anyway, none of their players would get in the squad anyway.

The German second division starts on the Sunday as well, Fortuna Dusseldorf are at home... tempted to do that game and then fly back from there as the flights are much cheaper than anything out of Switzerland.

Nothing yet. The Swiss league released its fixtures on Friday, the first game of the season is on the 16th/17th July (with one game strangely moved back to Wednesday 20th). Young Boys v Basel is the headline game on the Saturday night, could be tempted to try to get to that if we're anywhere near Berne.

Yep

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/content.php?195-Tough-Start-for-Saints-on-return-to-Championship Leeds at home first.

Correct. Fixtures have arrived, embargoed until 9am, obviously. None of you are correct with your guesses so far

As I'm sure you're well aware by now, next season's fixtures will be released at 9am tomorrow morning. You'll be able to see them first on the SaintsWeb home page at 9am on the dot. Full fixture list: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/content.php?195-Tough-Start-for-Saints-on-return-to-Championship

They could have avoided a preliminary round by keeping Fulham (who probably won't get through three qualifying rounds) in the second round, rather than give them a bye as well. We don't normally get an extra European place for the fair play league.

Mike, I would recommend getting the best deal you can with the money you have now. People have had more than enough time to donate, and clearly if you want it ready for the Memorial Cup, you're going to have to move pretty sharpish anyway, I'd have thought. It's only because Cortese said "I'll make up the shortfall" that you've set such a big target anyway, but this isn't about him, it's something from the fans.

Broken Dreams by Tom Bower, and Foul! by Andrew Jennings. Both about the shadier goings-on in football, the latter concentrating on FIFA.

I've not actually seen my ticket(s) yet, my old man has them

I doubt it, given the Biel game is on the 13th and then the Memorial Cup at St Mary's on the 23rd. Unlikely they'd then go back out to Switzerland after that...