Tickets for troops

[Justin C]

Not sure if many people have heard of this website but it gives the military tickets to sporting events, west end shows and theme parks just to name a few as well as making money for charity.

 

I noticed that there were no Saints tickets their website. There are many top flight tickets on offer as well as many league one games so I thought I would email Saints to suggest we do the same. We would make a few extra pounds if we got a few more in the ground and maybe gain an extra supporter. Here is the email I sent. I sent it to Mr Lucker.

 

I am dropping you a quick line with my military head on. Southampton has always understood the unusual situation that I have experienced being in the military and at times I have not been able to meet the deadline for ticket purchases due to being away. You have always helped me out as much as possible and even helped me get a disabled seat when I broke my leg while on exercise 3 days before the JPT final.

 

The reason I am emailing you is that there is a charity called tickets for troops which gives free tickets to military personnel. Football clubs donate a few tickets for games for free to tickets for troops and the recipients contribute a small amount to charity to for the tickets. Many Premier League clubs have signed up to this initiative as well as many football league clubs. I have actually been to a couple of England games due to this scheme.

 

This is not a selfish email from me as I want free Saints tickets because I am a season ticket holder but I feel this is a worthwhile charity and Southampton would make a few extra pounds in revenue in the ground. I don’t for one moment suggest you offer tickets for high profile games but it would be a winner for both if Southampton offered tickets to a few low profile games.

 

Here is there website if you are interested –

 

http://www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk/contact/index.php

 

Kind regards

[Professor]

Why should service people get free tickets over anyone else? We all (most of us) work for a living and the services is a job choice like any other.

 

If its about people doing a dangerous job, how about free tickets for trawlermen, merchant seamen, commercial and lorry drivers, miners, oil and gas riggers, construction workers..... All jobs in which people get killed.

 

If its about troops being killed in Afganistan - they shouldn't be there in the first place. Its not the fault of the soldiers that they are there, but these sort of schemes encourage the public to be patriotic about fighting wars that the UK should not be a part of. Anything that encourages the politicians to put our young people in danger without a good reason need to be thought about very carefully.

[SaintRobbie]

Why should service people get free tickets over anyone else? We all (most of us) work for a living and the services is a job choice like any other.

 

If its about people doing a dangerous job, how about free tickets for trawlermen, merchant seamen, commercial and lorry drivers, miners, oil and gas riggers, construction workers..... All jobs in which people get killed.

 

If its about troops being killed in Afganistan - they shouldn't be there in the first place. Its not the fault of the soldiers that they are there, but these sort of schemes encourage the public to be patriotic about fighting wars that the UK should not be a part of. Anything that encourages the politicians to put our young people in danger without a good reason need to be thought about very carefully.

 

A standard Professor type post in line with his judgement calls over Lowe's greatness in previous years.... IMHO of course, but each to their own and well done to the lads who benefit from such a charity by contributing their lives and limbs to allow 'The Professor' to profess in a way that many in Afghanistan and elsewhere cannot through free speech. This charity is for those who allow you to spirt political crap like this on a football website.

 

Its a great way of saying thank you to the lads ad lasses for their sacrifice. I therefore assume you'll be making a contribution Prof seeing as you are the only person on here thus far who has exercised that free speech.

 

Golden Post nomination for Justin C please mods.

[Thedelldays]

Saints do give tickets for troops and discount at times

[Windmill Arm 2]

Why should service people get free tickets over anyone else? We all (most of us) work for a living and the services is a job choice like any other.

 

If its about people doing a dangerous job, how about free tickets for trawlermen, merchant seamen, commercial and lorry drivers, miners, oil and gas riggers, construction workers..... All jobs in which people get killed.

 

If its about troops being killed in Afganistan - they shouldn't be there in the first place. Its not the fault of the soldiers that they are there, but these sort of schemes encourage the public to be patriotic about fighting wars that the UK should not be a part of. Anything that encourages the politicians to put our young people in danger without a good reason need to be thought about very carefully.

 

Because thanks to the sacrifices made by our armed forces, people like you are allowed the freedom to go to work, and speak English.

[Thedelldays]

Prof

 

Why should students get discount?

[fareham saint phil]

Why should service people get free tickets over anyone else? We all (most of us) work for a living and the services is a job choice like any other.

 

If its about people doing a dangerous job, how about free tickets for trawlermen, merchant seamen, commercial and lorry drivers, miners, oil and gas riggers, construction workers..... All jobs in which people get killed.

 

If its about troops being killed in Afganistan - they shouldn't be there in the first place. Its not the fault of the soldiers that they are there, but these sort of schemes encourage the public to be patriotic about fighting wars that the UK should not be a part of. Anything that encourages the politicians to put our young people in danger without a good reason need to be thought about very carefully.

 

Yes it is their choice to join up, but fair play to them for getting off their arse and doing something other than sponge off the rest of us, all the other jobs you mention people also have a choice to do those as well one of the differences being is that they will get paid a hell of a lot mpre than soldiers do.

 

They dont choose where to go, they go were they are ordered to go and do a hell of a job and are rightly the best armed forces in the world. They get paid ****, they live in **** accommodation in this country and get sent to do a **** job, but they are best at it. Why shouldnt they be treated when at home they deserve it. whether you think they should be there or not, they are try treating them with abit of respect

[hypochondriac]

Because thanks to the sacrifices made by our armed forces, people like you are allowed the freedom to go to work, and speak English.

 

Hmm. Not the current ones in Afghanistan though.

[alpine_saint]

Why should service people get free tickets over anyone else? We all (most of us) work for a living and the services is a job choice like any other.

 

If its about people doing a dangerous job, how about free tickets for trawlermen, merchant seamen, commercial and lorry drivers, miners, oil and gas riggers, construction workers..... All jobs in which people get killed.

 

If its about troops being killed in Afganistan - they shouldn't be there in the first place. Its not the fault of the soldiers that they are there, but these sort of schemes encourage the public to be patriotic about fighting wars that the UK should not be a part of. Anything that encourages the politicians to put our young people in danger without a good reason need to be thought about very carefully.

 

Give it a rest with the Guardian crap, FFS.

Edited 15 August, 2010 by alpine_saint

[docker-p]

Oh do shut it, FFS.

 

Hmmm, another quality well balanced post. Why do you bother?

[docker-p]

Because thanks to the sacrifices made by our armed forces, people like you are allowed the freedom to go to work, and speak English.

 

Will the French aren't getting shot at, and I don't see their Freedoms or language under threat.

[Thedelldays]

Will the French aren't getting shot at, and I don't see their Freedoms or language under threat.

 

we are not french..saints are not a french club...

 

if the club want to give concessions to..

 

the elderly

students

under 5s

members of the forces

players..

 

then so be it.....

 

as long as you can get a ticket then what is the problem..?

[Fan The Flames]

Why should service people get free tickets over anyone else? We all (most of us) work for a living and the services is a job choice like any other.

 

If its about people doing a dangerous job, how about free tickets for trawlermen, merchant seamen, commercial and lorry drivers, miners, oil and gas riggers, construction workers..... All jobs in which people get killed.

 

If its about troops being killed in Afganistan - they shouldn't be there in the first place. Its not the fault of the soldiers that they are there, but these sort of schemes encourage the public to be patriotic about fighting wars that the UK should not be a part of. Anything that encourages the politicians to put our young people in danger without a good reason need to be thought about very carefully.

 

Totally agree. Too many decent young men are being killed for nothing. In a thousand years time when the World has discovered a better way of sorting things out, our time will be lumped together with the last few thousand years and looked upon as the dark ages where dumb politicians send their young to die for nothing, we haven't learnt anything. Schemes like this just seek to legitimise the failed actions of bullish know-nothing politicians.

[Deppo]

Not sure if many people have heard of this website but it gives the military tickets to sporting events, west end shows and theme parks just to name a few as well as making money for charity.

 

I noticed that there were no Saints tickets their website. There are many top flight tickets on offer as well as many league one games so I thought I would email Saints to suggest we do the same. We would make a few extra pounds if we got a few more in the ground and maybe gain an extra supporter. Here is the email I sent. I sent it to Mr Lucker.

 

I am dropping you a quick line with my military head on. Southampton has always understood the unusual situation that I have experienced being in the military and at times I have not been able to meet the deadline for ticket purchases due to being away. You have always helped me out as much as possible and even helped me get a disabled seat when I broke my leg while on exercise 3 days before the JPT final.

 

The reason I am emailing you is that there is a charity called tickets for troops which gives free tickets to military personnel. Football clubs donate a few tickets for games for free to tickets for troops and the recipients contribute a small amount to charity to for the tickets. Many Premier League clubs have signed up to this initiative as well as many football league clubs. I have actually been to a couple of England games due to this scheme.

 

This is not a selfish email from me as I want free Saints tickets because I am a season ticket holder but I feel this is a worthwhile charity and Southampton would make a few extra pounds in revenue in the ground. I don’t for one moment suggest you offer tickets for high profile games but it would be a winner for both if Southampton offered tickets to a few low profile games.

 

Here is there website if you are interested –

 

http://www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk/contact/index.php

 

Kind regards

 

I think this is a great idea. Well done Justin C I salute you - lol! This really is something that is close to my heart and I am glad that you have sent Luker the email and that you have published it here. As I said, saving money is something that is really close to my heart and I think we could all save a bit of money if we sent emails to David Luker. I am on minimum wage working in a popular fast food restaurant, so I know exactly where you are coming from. We both offer a service to the public and get very little in return so it would be great if we could get free tickets for sporting events/West End musicals/strip clubs/etc. I don't see any harm in asking and I have been inspired by you to send an email to Luker this morning concerning my industry. Thank you, sir. I salute you (lol again!)

[Justin C]

Blimey I need not mean to open a can of worms. I thought it was a good idea and many PL teams are doing it. I did not want to get in to polital arguements. Mods please can you remove my post I wish I had not started it.

[farawaysaint]

If we have 9000 empty seats in the stadium what's the harm? Gain a few supporters maybe and also the club makes a bit of dosh selling food and drinks I think it's a good idea.

[Deppo]

If we have 9000 empty seats in the stadium what's the harm? Gain a few supporters maybe and also the club makes a bit of dosh selling food and drinks I think it's a good idea.

 

I was thinking that perhaps we could give the spare tickets to underprivileged children or people with terminal or debilitating illnesses or disabilities, but now I think I agree with this. It would be much better that they go to the troops as they will spend money at the kiosks at half time, whereas kids/handicapped wouldn't make us any money at all.

[alpine_saint]

Hmmm, another quality well balanced post. Why do you bother?

 

Thats rich coming from you.

[farawaysaint]

I was thinking that perhaps we could give the spare tickets to underprivileged children or people with terminal or debilitating illnesses or disabilities, but now I think I agree with this. It would be much better that they go to the troops as they will spend money at the kiosks at half time, whereas kids/handicapped wouldn't make us any money at all.

 

Perhaps not all 9000 should be given to the troops when you put it like that

[latter day saint]

this thread just shows what a bunch of weirdo's & knobs this site attracts. look at me everyone i have an opinion & i'm going to stuff it down your throat. ffs!

[st alex]

Prof

 

Why should students get discount?

 

In theory students, children & the elderly are generalised as not having as much money as the working population.

 

Students don't actually get discounts at St Mary's.

 

In theory generally armed forces personel should have very few expenses and a higher disposable income that most of the working population.

[Saint_clark]

Hmm. Not the current ones in Afghanistan though.

 

Who are we to say that those out there wouldn't have performed every bit as admirably in the first or second world war as those brave souls who gave their lives?

[JRM]

I think it is a good idea and in line With other clubs who already operate schemes such as this, as well as England, say thanks to the troops and build up some goodwill

[bridge too far]

Perhaps we could also give free tickets to firefighters, the police and ambulance staff?

 

They quite regularly put their lives on the line.

[Thedelldays]

In theory students, children & the elderly are generalised as not having as much money as the working population.

 

Students don't actually get discounts at St Mary's.

 

In theory generally armed forces personel should have very few expenses and a higher disposable income that most of the working population.

 

what theory is this..that forces personnel dont have many expenses.???..I could have sworn my mortgage, gas, electric, car, insurance, sky telly, food, mobile phone...all costs the same as a civvy..????

 

is it really a big deal that because lads are coming back weekly in boxes that a few companies are now affording memeber of the forces the same sort of discounts students get...and the billion pound industry that is football is giving away a handful of free tickets..?

Edited 15 August, 2010 by Thedelldays

[Thedelldays]

Hmm. Not the current ones in Afghanistan though.

 

well..put it this way, the reason people volunteer to sign up..negates the need for conscription

[Sour Mash]

I was thinking that perhaps we could give the spare tickets to underprivileged children or people with terminal or debilitating illnesses or disabilities, but now I think I agree with this. It would be much better that they go to the troops as they will spend money at the kiosks at half time, whereas kids/handicapped wouldn't make us any money at all.

 

In amongst the usual stupid humour of your posts there is a good point there. I'd much rather free tickets were given away to disabled or seriously ill kids.

[Thedelldays]

In amongst the usual stupid humour of your posts there is a good point there. I'd much rather free tickets were given away to disabled or seriously ill kids.

 

I always thought we used to (or now should) give tickets to schools in southampton.....ie, have a list in advance for the less glamorous games so the schools/parents can plan...

 

ie, this week, give say, tanners brook 50 tickets..etc etc

[Wilko]

I see no reason to give freebies to the military. Most of the people I know who are in the forces seem to get very long holidays and most of their living expenses paid for. One of my mates in the Marines finished a tour in Iraq, was given a free holiday on the way back, went travelling in Central America for three weeks, then spent another few weeks on holiday. Many people who are in the 'support the forces' brigade seem to forget that nobody has been conscripted. Every one in the armed forces joined of their own free will.

 

The rights and wrongs of the conflicts they are involved in are another matter, but I reckon most of our servicemen can afford a football ticket.

 

I await the predictable barrage of abuse.

[Thedelldays]

I see no reason to give freebies to the military. Most of the people I know who are in the forces seem to get very long holidays and most of their living expenses paid for. One of my mates in the Marines finished a tour in Iraq, was given a free holiday on the way back, went travelling in Central America for three weeks, then spent another few weeks on holiday. Many people who are in the 'support the forces' brigade seem to forget that nobody has been conscripted. Every one in the armed forces joined of their own free will.

 

The rights and wrongs of the conflicts they are involved in are another matter, but I reckon most of our servicemen can afford a football ticket.

 

I await the predictable barrage of abuse.

fair points...I would say that your mate, probably had his easter and summer break in one go....

[Dave Benson Phillips]

We really do have a bunch of complete and utter morons supporting our team.

[sotonjoe]

Locked

[st alex]

what theory is this..that forces personnel dont have many expenses.???..I could have sworn my mortgage, gas, electric, car, insurance, sky telly, food, mobile phone...all costs the same as a civvy..????

 

is it really a big deal that because lads are coming back weekly in boxes that a few companies are now affording memeber of the forces the same sort of discounts students get...and the billion pound industry that is football is giving away a handful of free tickets..?

 

Sky TV's a luxury, the cost of that would probably cover a season ticket anyway.

 

I think the Bristish Armed Forces are the best in the world, do a great job and are great PROFFESIONALS, I am greatful for what they do, but believe that Armed Forces personnel do the job they do with a degree of humility, and don't need to be hero worshiped.

 

http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/benefits/pay/Pages/Soldier.aspx

 

It looks to me like there are decent enough wages associated with MoD as well as allowances for those actually seeing service. Therefore I don't really think it is fair to ask for hand outs, I'd rather see any free tickets go to a more worthwhile causes like young cancer victims.

[Thedelldays]

Sky TV's a luxury, the cost of that would probably cover a season ticket anyway.

 

I think the Bristish Armed Forces are the best in the world, do a great job and are great PROFFESIONALS, I am greatful for what they do, but believe that Armed Forces personnel do the job they do with a degree of humility, and don't need to be hero worshiped.

 

http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/benefits/pay/Pages/Soldier.aspx

 

It looks to me like there are decent enough wages associated with MoD as well as allowances for those actually seeing service. Therefore I don't really think it is fair to ask for hand outs, I'd rather see any free tickets go to a more worthwhile causes like young cancer victims.

but you will find very few normal forces peeps will ask for handouts....

it is those who "want to do the right thing" type of people that ask on their behalf..

 

I have never once complained about my pay (as it is is bloody good imo) and other bits.....

the only issue I have with work is the time away...I signed up for it, dont like it, I am free to give my years notice and fuk off (note I never said strike)

[chestersaint]

What is the problem with giving servicemen and woman a reminder that they are valued. If you think trawlermen, miners etc should benefit from a similar initiative then promote the bloody thing. As it stands, Justin is talking about servicemen in his post so lets deal with the subject matter. Should our forces benefit from the odd freebie? As an ex Royal Engineer, I have served in war and I have never asked for anything off the civ pop but a little reminder that people back home value what our forces are doing would and does make a hell of a difference. Any points made relating to the validity of this current campaign or any other are really academic in terms of the original post. Service personnel are not very well paid considering they work in theory 24 hours a day 7 days a week and any leave periods can be cancelled at the drop of a hat dependent on operations manning. Yes we all joined up of our own accord but if we didn't then conscription would be brought back. Giving squaddies a freebie here and there is no great shakes and I really cannot understand the level of forces resentment on here.

[Windmill Arm 2]

Totally agree. Too many decent young men are being killed for nothing. In a thousand years time when the World has discovered a better way of sorting things out, our time will be lumped together with the last few thousand years and looked upon as the dark ages where dumb politicians send their young to die for nothing, we haven't learnt anything. Schemes like this just seek to legitimise the failed actions of bullish know-nothing politicians.

 

For nothing??? do you think those that have paid the ultimate price would be happy to hear you pass their efforts off as 'for nothing' ? Have you been to Afghanistan? I was there on Herrick 7, I've been involved in the re-building of a school, i've seen the hard work out there, in the most kinetic of environments. For Nothing?? thats f'king disrespectful IMO.

[ericb]

I don't think it's forces resentment per se' more the fact that we don't have conscription or military service here so it is a choice to join the armed forces. I personally have friends in the armed forces and prior to the Afghan war tried to convince them that they shouldn't go - since i felt it would achieve little of benefit for anyone involved - with that in mind i do think the nature of their work puts them at far greater risk than most, but i also find it grates to see campaigns like help for heroes.

 

Some of those out there, that risked their lives for their friends in extraordinary circumstances, can be argued to be heroes. But most coming back dead or injured have just had their lives put at risk by people that see them (like it or no) as expendable. And no human should ever be thought of in that way in my opinion.

 

As for the freebies, well why not? and why not schools, handicapped people (which already happens for what it's worth), the long term unemployed and many others. If we are to truly have a football club as part of the community a certain pool of these kinds of tickets should exist.

 

The sad truth is that more and more a football club isn't a part of a community and is instead a leisure industry, so many of these things are just marketing efforts.

 

man i'm being a cynical **** today

[Sour Mash]

What is the problem with giving servicemen and woman a reminder that they are valued. If you think trawlermen, miners etc should benefit from a similar initiative then promote the bloody thing. As it stands, Justin is talking about servicemen in his post so lets deal with the subject matter. Should our forces benefit from the odd freebie? As an ex Royal Engineer, I have served in war and I have never asked for anything off the civ pop but a little reminder that people back home value what our forces are doing would and does make a hell of a difference. Any points made relating to the validity of this current campaign or any other are really academic in terms of the original post. Service personnel are not very well paid considering they work in theory 24 hours a day 7 days a week and any leave periods can be cancelled at the drop of a hat dependent on operations manning. Yes we all joined up of our own accord but if we didn't then conscription would be brought back. Giving squaddies a freebie here and there is no great shakes and I really cannot understand the level of forces resentment on here.

 

OK, no they shouldn't get free tickets based simply on the particular job they have chosen to do.

[buctootim]

I think the club should give discounted tickets to:

 

OAPS

Students

Families with kids under 18

Armed Forces

Nurses

Police

Fire service

Disabled people

Players families

People on low income.

 

 

That should leave a childless 43 year old accountant from Brockenhurst as the only full price ticket buyer.

[Saintandy666]

The army wage is better than you think, remember that when they are away at training camps and abroad they have living costs paid.

[Thedelldays]

The army wage is better than you think, remember that when they are away at training camps and abroad they have living costs paid.

 

you what..?

[Saintandy666]

you what..?

 

What I mean is like when they are on their tour of places, they aren't having to buy things which everyone else has to everyday(food for example), so the wages are a lot more reasonable than people think.

[Thedelldays]

What I mean is like when they are on their tour of places, they aren't having to buy things which everyone else has to everyday(food for example), so the wages are a lot more reasonable than people think.

 

what if they are not on tour..?

[Saintandy666]

what if they are not on tour..?

 

Then it's obviously normal, but I know that many people in the army live in army accommodation(which is a pile of ****e though), which also cuts costs... basically my point is all this moaning about the army wage is ott, they get a lot provided for them through benefits that come with the job.

[Thedelldays]

Then it's obviously normal, but I know that many people in the army live in army accommodation(which is a pile of ****e though), which also cuts costs... basically my point is all this moaning about the army wage is ott, they get a lot provided for them through benefits that come with the job.

 

the amount of people that live in barracks is far lower than it used to be...those that do are either young lads (on a low wage) or oldder types that use the facilites and travel home at weekends (where they pay a mortgage/rent)

 

all this nonsense that forces peeps have more money to play with is poppy****

[Saintandy666]

the amount of people that live in barracks is far lower than it used to be...those that do are either young lads (on a low wage) or oldder types that use the facilites and travel home at weekends (where they pay a mortgage/rent)

 

all this nonsense that forces peeps have more money to play with is poppy****

 

I'm not saying they have 'more money to play with', I'm just saying all these stories that soldiers are all forced to live in abject poverty because of their wage is also ****e!

 

Edit: I'm also not saying they shouldn't get paid a little bit more, but it just annoys me how much people seem to think they need. But this is beyond saints related, so I should probably stop arguing about this on this forum.

Edited 15 August, 2010 by Saintandy666

[Block 5]

I renewed my SWF subscription the other day.

What was I thinking?

[Sour Mash]

I renewed my SWF subscription the other day.

What was I thinking?

 

So you could enlighten us all with your wisdom, such as this great contribution?

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Then it's obviously normal, but I know that many people in the army live in army accommodation(which is a pile of ****e though), which also cuts costs... basically my point is all this moaning about the army wage is ott, they get a lot provided for them through benefits that come with the job.

 

Living in a room with 3 other people, no private facilities, having block inspections, not being allowed any visitors, let alone anyone stay the night, sleeping on an Army issue bed, with an army issue chair if you are lucky. Getting jailed if you don't keep your area in mint condition. Having show parades... yes... awesome that is.

 

F*ck off saying that is a benefit. If a single soldier wants to have the same quality of life as a civvy then he pays exactly the same as anyone else for a flat and all the bills/taxes that come with it and doesn't have access to the cookhouse either so there is no benefit whatsoever.

 

Glad we got your completely false thoughts corrected.

Edited 15 August, 2010 by Dave Benson Phillips

[Saintandy666]

Living in a room with 3 other people, no private facilities, having block inspections, not being allowed any visitors, let alone anyone stay the night, sleeping on an Army issue bed, with an army issue chair if you are lucky. Getting jailed if you don't keep your area in mint condition. Having show parades... yes... awesome that is.

 

F*ck off saying that is a benefit. If a single soldier wants to have the same quality of life as a civvy then he pays exactly the same as anyone else for a flat and all the bills/taxes that come with it and doesn't have access to the cookhouse either so there is no benefit whatsoever.

 

Glad we got your completely false thoughts corrected.

 

Missed my point. Oh well. I was simply trying to get across that they don't necessarily need to be given tickets. Most soldiers get paid more than a nurse... should they get a free ticket too?

Edited 15 August, 2010 by Saintandy666