Saints season ticket prices announced (From Daily Echo)

Cheap at twice the price.
.
Good news about the installment plan, too. Let's fill St Marys and make it a fortress.

That was a bit of a shock, the snooze centre has gone up by £110.

How does it work then for the likes of me?
Adult ticket £27 + booking fee = £30.
Turn up on the day £29.

How is that going to encourage advance ticket sales?

Bargain, and if you have an under 11 and wish to sit in the family stand, it's still only £380 for 2 tickets!

Well done Saints.

As expected the prices are higher than people would of guessed ! Very poor that tickets are already not on sale. It should of been avoailable a month ago. Just two weeks to renew before the hoilday season. The installment plan really isnt one and the admin fee is just to rip fans off more. Zebra finance used by many clubs still go unused.

Unlikley to see many additional sales due to the pricing. I expect to see similar crowds like last year with maybe more away fans.

Match day increase is a total rip off.

These are Premiership prices, lets hope for a Premiership team.

In Adkins we trust. All I can say about Cortese is that he is pretty honest about what its going to take to get to the Premiership.

Remember we are competing against a number of teams that still have parachute payments.

I also applaud the free under 11’s ) only £2 on match days. Although I wont benefit (mine is still a bit too young, and I sit in Kingsland) this is really encouraging young families. I know someone who has a 6 and 9 year old that may be very tempted by this.

St.Yorkie wrote:
How does it work then for the likes of me? Adult ticket £27 + booking fee = £30. Turn up on the day £29. How is that going to encourage advance ticket sales?

Hi Yorkie, the admin fee is only on phone sales not online sales. So advance purchase online is £27. But I agree if you dont have internet it does not encourage early purchase.

Not so bad when you consider adult ticket prices were £27 in the Premiership, and they were last set 7 years ago. Bit of a hike compared to last year though - a season ticket behind the goals works out at £23.50 per game which is £1.50 more than the individual matchday tickets would have cost last season.

hamblesaint wrote:

St.Yorkie wrote:
How does it work then for the likes of me? Adult ticket £27 + booking fee = £30. Turn up on the day £29. How is that going to encourage advance ticket sales?

Hi Yorkie, the admin fee is only on phone sales not online sales. So advance purchase online is £27. But I agree if you dont have internet it does not encourage early purchase.

It IS for online booking as well!

I personally think the prices are a kick in the teeth for fans who don't already have a season ticket from last year. Not having a season ticket, I noticed the £2 extra charge for purchasing match day tickets last season. What a joke!! Why punish non season ticket holders so much!! We are all fans of the saints and we should all be offered the same price for a season ticket IMO.

If the prices are high now what will they be in the prem?? AND when/if the stadium gets extended are we going to have to fork out more money for tickets?? Of course.

I love Cortese and think he's done great for us, but you should be thanking us, not making us pay stupid prices for season tickets and match day tickets. It's almost as if he doesn't want St. Mary's to be packed out every week. We need more fans in the stadium every week and this will not get them in.

With the changes in the concessions e.t.c. it is going to cost my group of four £443-00 extra in total for our four seats in the Kingsland. Just emphasises what a great deal we had last year.

SOUTHAMPTON are a PREMIERSHIP CLUB playing this Season in the Championship.

NICOLA and NIGEL know that :
THIS IS OUR TIME !!

THE FANS DEMAND SUCCESS.

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON and WE RULE THE SOUTH.

RED ARMY. COYR.

S/W stay-tall - HEADS UP - LET's TAKE THIS LEAGUE. FIGHT AND WIN.

RedArmy1 wrote:
SOUTHAMPTON are a PREMIERSHIP CLUB playing this Season in the Championship. NICOLA and NIGEL know that : THIS IS OUR TIME !! THE FANS DEMAND SUCCESS. WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON and WE RULE THE SOUTH. RED ARMY. COYR. S/W stay-tall - HEADS UP - LET's TAKE THIS LEAGUE. FIGHT AND WIN.

You really should get out more mate. On second thoughts though, based on the outdated garbage you write, perhaps it would be better if you stay in. It will be a relief when half- term is over..........

Yes, I have been seriously affected by the age change for concessions..a rise of 77%, but it really was a bargain last year. We are at a higher level which we all wanted and will have to pay more in the Premiership. Our prices are in line with other teams who will be contesting at the top of the Championship this year, so onwards and upwards.

UTS wrote:
As expected the prices are higher than people would of guessed ! Very poor that tickets are already not on sale. It should of been avoailable a month ago. Just two weeks to renew before the hoilday season. The installment plan really isnt one and the admin fee is just to rip fans off more. Zebra finance used by many clubs still go unused. Unlikley to see many additional sales due to the pricing. I expect to see similar crowds like last year with maybe more away fans. Match day increase is a total rip off.

My view is that we all want Saints to be a sustainable club playing in the Premier League. Unfortunately that comes at a price which is reflected in these price increases.

Lets face it we had it pretty good last year and the concessions for kids were brilliant but we have made the step up and have to pay that price which i am happy to do if it helps our cause.

Lighten up UTS you are starting to sound like that guy Nick "whats-is-face" you know the one I mean - the self proclaimed voice of the fans - he that was banned by owning a season ticket.

Shame they sneaked the concession up from 60 to 65.

Shame they sneaked the concession up from 60 to 65.

St.Yorkie wrote:
How does it work then for the likes of me? Adult ticket £27 + booking fee = £30. Turn up on the day £29. How is that going to encourage advance ticket sales?

It only works if you believe the fairy story that the £2 is make people buy tickets in advance and not just a stealth way of increasing ticket prices. How many people are actually persuaded to make a journey to the stadium to avoid these ticket taxes?
As for the online and telephone tax does it really cost £3 to take a ticket from the printer, stick it in an envelope and put it in the post. Tesco's charge a similar amount for packing up my weekly shopping and delivering it personally to my door.

Its much what i expected but will be a small price to pay when we reach the premership. I will do as my father always use to say, PAY UP AND LOOK BIG.
KEEP GOING RED ARMY, there's thousands just like you, right behind the team and we dont all stand in THE NORTHAM. Look over to ITCHEN NORTH sometimes. C O Y REDS.

Towman1947 wrote:
Shame they sneaked the concession up from 60 to 65.

It's the way the world's going, mate. We're living and working longer, so people are going to be paying full whack until they're older in years. If it's any consolation, I expect that by the time I'm old and wrinkly I'll be working until I'm 80, and probably paying about €20,000 for a season ticket.

bailiwick wrote:

RedArmy1 wrote:
SOUTHAMPTON are a PREMIERSHIP CLUB playing this Season in the Championship. NICOLA and NIGEL know that : THIS IS OUR TIME !! THE FANS DEMAND SUCCESS. WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON and WE RULE THE SOUTH. RED ARMY. COYR. S/W stay-tall - HEADS UP - LET's TAKE THIS LEAGUE. FIGHT AND WIN.

You really should get out more mate. On second thoughts though, based on the outdated garbage you write, perhaps it would be better if you stay in. It will be a relief when half- term is over..........

Baldrick,

I do get out. Touring the Pubs in Southampton this week. A visit to Fareham to find out the latest on " There's Only One South coast Derby " and a couple of intelligence visits to Fratton Park to saw how far it has crumbled down .... the ticket Office and Shop have all been scaled down.

Plymouth - Brentford and Bournemouth Away last season to just name a few.

I'm sorry that you have not taken to the price increases - but I DON'T SET THE PRICES - if I DID - then there would be vouchers in the back of the Season Ticket for AWAY GAMES.

Cheer Up - at least you don't support the scum down at Fratton.

RED ARMY. COYR.

As much as a hike the season tickets are, I for one are willing to pay them, the club will not change them due to a bunch of tight arses not being willing to pay them. put up or shut up its simple as that, if you wanna watch us smash that lot up the road next season home and away you NEED a season ticket, simple as that really theres the incentive for ya.

I for one are more than happy to pay these prices ( I thought they might be higher !)and it's so pleasing to see that Cortese has actually listened to the fans regarding the payment plan and revised it so that the club guarantee their money and the fans get time to pay for it ).Well done and it certainly reinforces my view all along that this club really is in very sound hands.It may also interest you to know that some very average clubs in the same league charge considerably more ( my other half pays another £150 for an equivalent seat)so I really feel that we should all feel very well looked after.

The club have worked out that they will get more income from match day sales than season ticket sales, there are 250000 on the database so the club only need each one to come to one or two games and pay extra booking fees or match day surcharges and it is more profitable than season tickets. The gamble is that the club do well , lots will come to see a winning team. The club could encourage season ticket sales and have 20000, but by making it such a short time to apply, making it that families can only go in the chapel stand or face large price rises, putting up the age from 60 to 65 without warning. The club has done everything it can to discourage Season Ticket sales.

Scruffygirl94 wrote:
I for one are more than happy to pay these prices ( I thought they might be higher !)and it's so pleasing to see that Cortese has actually listened to the fans regarding the payment plan and revised it so that the club guarantee their money and the fans get time to pay for it ).Well done and it certainly reinforces my view all along that this club really is in very sound hands.It may also interest you to know that some very average clubs in the same league charge considerably more ( my other half pays another £150 for an equivalent seat)so I really feel that we should all feel very well looked after.

How a 60-64 year old facing a 77% rise in their season ticket can feel "very well looked after" quite frankly eludes me. They have probabally been putting into the Saints coffers for nigh on 50 years and now get a billshock like that with absolutely no warning. I'm 38 so doesn't effect me but I think our more "senior" supporters are being fleeced.

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:

Scruffygirl94 wrote:
I for one are more than happy to pay these prices ( I thought they might be higher !)and it's so pleasing to see that Cortese has actually listened to the fans regarding the payment plan and revised it so that the club guarantee their money and the fans get time to pay for it ).Well done and it certainly reinforces my view all along that this club really is in very sound hands.It may also interest you to know that some very average clubs in the same league charge considerably more ( my other half pays another £150 for an equivalent seat)so I really feel that we should all feel very well looked after.

How a 60-64 year old facing a 77% rise in their season ticket can feel "very well looked after" quite frankly eludes me. They have probabally been putting into the Saints coffers for nigh on 50 years and now get a billshock like that with absolutely no warning. I'm 38 so doesn't effect me but I think our more "senior" supporters are being fleeced.

I do feel that the Older Saint does need looking after and if the Club are listening to the Supporters - it certainly seems a fair point.

Red Army. COYR

hedge end bob wrote:
Its much what i expected but will be a small price to pay when we reach the premership. I will do as my father always use to say, PAY UP AND LOOK BIG.
KEEP GOING RED ARMY, there's thousands just like you, right behind the team and we dont all stand in THE NORTHAM. Look over to ITCHEN NORTH sometimes. C O Y REDS.

hedge end bob - you have my admiration as a loyal supporter who by " hook or by crook " gets himself to the Away Games.

I have been in the all the Stands and grown initially with the Southampton Football Club in the Chapel.

I was in the Kingsland - that dreadful night when Barney saw red vs Swindon in the JPT last year.

But my home now is THE NORTHAM which according to the Players is the "hardcore" - rather than the heartbeat of St Mary's.

I know there is an "edge" to the ITCHEN - never more-so than ITCHEN NORTH and together in both Stands we are Strong.

Intimidating for Away Supporters - yes of course.

Red Army. WE RULE THE SOUTH.

I was really up for getting a season ticket instead of just going to adhoc games but with receiving only 3 games free is it worth it as over the course of the season I will probably find that I cannot or be bothered to attend (eve) games. But then the gamble is if they get back to back promotion.

Bit more to pay than I had hoped. But my 73 year old dad and I will be renewing without hesitation. In years gone by we have debated but still renewed. No question this year. We're on the bus

grumpy and middle aged wrote:
I was really up for getting a season ticket instead of just going to adhoc games but with receiving only 3 games free is it worth it as over the course of the season I will probably find that I cannot or be bothered to attend (eve) games. But then the gamble is if they get back to back promotion.

I will be renewing my season ticket anyway,whatever the price.
But you must bear in mind that season ticket holders have first pick of cup games.
Think of the fervour there was over the ticket distribution of the JPT Final and of the Man Utd F.A cup game.

I think the prices are reasonable though guess it depends on circumstances. £460 for me and nipper as a returning season ticket holder, that's £20 a game for both of us, none too shabby! Don't forget people we're swapping the likes of Yeovil, Dagenham and Rochdale for West Ham, Leeds, Forest, Birmingham. Cracking!

I think the price of a season ticket is great value as included in it is the guarantee of seeing the 'blue few' from down the road getting a lesson in how football should be played and how a football club should be run. COYR

to those moaning ....... what did you expect ? .........you're the first to say "buy him" and "buy him" to gain promotion again but when you're asked to put you're hands in your pockets , you're "treated shabbily" .........it ain't like gas , water or electricity that we all need ......if you don't like it don't buy one ..... simple as that !

a shame i really wanted a season ticket but it's too much for me. i really really really wanted to see the pompey game for when we beat them and get our revenge. but it's all too much... :( :( :(

slugger wrote:
to those moaning ....... what did you expect ? .........you're the first to say "buy him" and "buy him" to gain promotion again but when you're asked to put you're hands in your pockets , you're "treated shabbily" .........it ain't like gas , water or electricity that we all need ......if you don't like it don't buy one ..... simple as that !

Ease up tiger.

mack chinnon wrote:

slugger wrote: to those moaning ....... what did you expect ? .........you're the first to say "buy him" and "buy him" to gain promotion again but when you're asked to put you're hands in your pockets , you're "treated shabbily" .........it ain't like gas , water or electricity that we all need ......if you don't like it don't buy one ..... simple as that !

Ease up tiger.

sorry

My wife and I will definitely be renewing - it was never in doubt as it has never been in doubt for many, many years. Bit sad about concessions age going from 60 to 65, as I'm 60 next month. But I won't object - remember that last year's accounts show we lost £8mn. And that was on a turnover of just £14mn (I think). So, prices rises are unavoidable.

You make a very good point slugger, what ya doing on here??!!

I'm getting a season ticket for the first time in 40 years of watching Saints, attendances will be higher & there will be sell out games, so I'll be guaranteed a seat for every game. I'm fortunate that I only have to pay for one ticket!

I'm on the bus and won't be getting off 'till the day i die,would of paid more to watch us kick **** again this year,but don't tell the don.
"on the bus with Nigel and Nic,on the bus with Nigel and Nick.
On the bus On the bus On the bus!

It's all about value for money (from a business perspective). Some will walk away...but in my opinion...more will come. Have a whinge everybody (no one like price hikes after all)...then go sign up and cheer on our Club. We'll talk about the "value for money" thing this time next year. COYR!

marz194 wrote:
a shame i really wanted a season ticket but it's too much for me. i really really really wanted to see the pompey game for when we beat them and get our revenge. but it's all too much... :( :( :(

marz ... you know the score ..

Get yourself down to St Mary's to a few pubs before the game

Bridge-Chapel-Joshua Tree-Bridge

Just go the games you can afford and get in the queue for the tickets you want - it's really quite sociable...

Get yourself to a few Away Games and "Live the Dream "

Red Army. Together and Forward as One.

For the Pubs

Read :

Bridge-Chapel-Joshua Tree-Station.

RED ARRRRRRRRRRRRMY.
WE RULE THE SOUTH

Come on chaps,if we want to afford the better class of player and the club to be sustainable in the long term,then ticket price increases are inevitable.Can't believe some of the skates think we're getting worried about their renewed optimism ref:takeover-makes me laugh really.One of them even suggested making a bid for Lallana(I'm not making this up),quality entertainment!!!
This is the bloke that got told to get lost by Bournemouth,all of a sudden he's the next Abramovic-they really are deluded.
Apparently we're in financial trouble with debts mounting up!!!
We all know that the balance sheet showed a 26 million creditor ie Mr.Lie Herr,yes he bought the club ,have a look at man city's books,better still have a look at your own.
According to one of our fishy friends we can only spend a percentage of turnover on players wages-didn't have the heart to tell him that it only applied to clubs playing in Europe!!(luckily for them with gates of 15000).
Sorry got that off my chest,you can carry on now,lol!!!!

Mr.who?sorry!!!!doh

THEKILLER wrote:
The club have worked out that they will get more income from match day sales than season ticket sales, there are 250000 on the database so the club only need each one to come to one or two games and pay extra booking fees or match day surcharges and it is more profitable than season tickets. The gamble is that the club do well , lots will come to see a winning team. The club could encourage season ticket sales and have 20000, but by making it such a short time to apply, making it that families can only go in the chapel stand or face large price rises, putting up the age from 60 to 65 without warning. The club has done everything it can to discourage Season Ticket sales.

You do realise the pension age has gone up right? This reflects that. Simple.

Also to the other person saying stuff about how all season tickets should be the same price, renewal or not is clearly talking crud. How is that fair? Maybe in future seasons but definitely not this one. As the old saying goes "where were you when we were ****"

Everyone stop whingeing, it's been done and we have an installment plan (which isn't very good tbf) to help deal with it. End of post opinion DEAL WITH IT

As a fan who lives some 60 miles from SMS and who enjoys going 5/6 times a season I now have the unfortunate choice between queueing on the day & paying £2 extra for the privelige or ordering on-line and paying a £3 'booking' fee. Some choice! Nice to see the club are looking after fans like me. Sadly I feel there are numerous fans like myself who will now think twice about paying these unfortunate fees on top of a hefty ticket price. Why are clubs so short sighted in their approach to fans? In times like these fans should be given incentives to attend instead we are being hit with petty unjustified extra costs. Do we want SMS filled up every other Saturday or would the club rather have 10,000 empty seats?

Curious from afar: do they have or could they have a supporters bus season ticket? Maybe with a few functions and prizes for the travelling brigade of Saints wonderful Red and White Army.

In Nov I paid 27 pound for Brighton ticket.. my lovely cousie shouted me to Posh.. fantastic it was. I think my hotdog was 3 quid and about 5 per pint? To pay similar to Top flight NZ rugby match for Div 2 seems good.

Anyway I hope everyone manages and all look forward a fantastic season.

UP The Saints Again.

SomersetSaintly wrote:
As a fan who lives some 60 miles from SMS and who enjoys going 5/6 times a season I now have the unfortunate choice between queueing on the day & paying £2 extra for the privelige or ordering on-line and paying a £3 'booking' fee. Some choice! Nice to see the club are looking after fans like me. Sadly I feel there are numerous fans like myself who will now think twice about paying these unfortunate fees on top of a hefty ticket price. Why are clubs so short sighted in their approach to fans? In times like these fans should be given incentives to attend instead we are being hit with petty unjustified extra costs. Do we want SMS filled up every other Saturday or would the club rather have 10,000 empty seats?

It's £2/3? I don't get the problem here! Not just you but it seems everyone's just complaining for complaining's sake........ or would you all rather we stayed in League 1 forever? It's swings and roundabout. There has always been that charge to order online or buy on the day and I don't understand why suddenly this is a problem?

SW takes the p*ss a bit. fund-here - yeah, 90% of you would like something for nothing wouldn't you? Let us not forget that it wasn't so long ago that we didn't know if we'd have a club to support. Grow up

The Pension age is going up by one year and that doesnt kick in till 2016, and even then you have to be born after 1960. If your car insurance went up by 77% you would tell them to do one. We are told repeatidly about the so called age of austerity and how "we are all in it together" but getting people who have already retired to stump up that extra money is a pisstake and thats the bottom line. If you are already retired and have a pension book then you should be exempted by these rises. That would be a minority of retired female pensionsers who I doubt are still working. This is hardly going to bankrupt the club. If it was 77% across the board and not just for the people who can least afford it i'm sure you would have something to say then.

better be worth it, that's a lot of cash for entertainment. as long as i can believe the price rise represents the rise in commitment to our club, by the staff, i will renew.

The people worst hit are the ones involved in the concession change. My season ticket has gone up by £200 and as I have two tickets, that's a hike of £400. I think it would be fairer to change the concession age for new season ticket holders rather than current ones, but I suppose this would be administratively messy.
However, even though I had a bit of a shock when I looked on the OS last night, I will renew. That's what football fans do and the club know that.

Sweary_Wiffles wrote:

SomersetSaintly wrote:
As a fan who lives some 60 miles from SMS and who enjoys going 5/6 times a season I now have the unfortunate choice between queueing on the day & paying £2 extra for the privelige or ordering on-line and paying a £3 'booking' fee. Some choice! Nice to see the club are looking after fans like me. Sadly I feel there are numerous fans like myself who will now think twice about paying these unfortunate fees on top of a hefty ticket price. Why are clubs so short sighted in their approach to fans? In times like these fans should be given incentives to attend instead we are being hit with petty unjustified extra costs. Do we want SMS filled up every other Saturday or would the club rather have 10,000 empty seats?

It's £2/3? I don't get the problem here! Not just you but it seems everyone's just complaining for complaining's sake........ or would you all rather we stayed in League 1 forever? It's swings and roundabout. There has always been that charge to order online or buy on the day and I don't understand why suddenly this is a problem?

SW takes the p*ss a bit. fund-here - yeah, 90% of you would like something for nothing wouldn't you? Let us not forget that it wasn't so long ago that we didn't know if we'd have a club to support. Grow up

I'm not expecting something for nothing but I don't expect to have to pay £3 to have a ticket put in the post. It's just another way of ripping fans off. Why not let fans collect on the day for nothing?! I now have to pay a minimum of £30 to watch a Championship game of football. I just hope the team performs well this season or I fear attendances will drop considersably. Some fans may well be happy to pay whatever the club asks for but most fans are wiser and expect to be treated fairly. Don't get me wrong, I'll still be coming as often as I can but I think clubs don't help themselves sometimes. On the plus side - not charging under 11's is brilliant!

Some of the above posts are ridiculous, I'll be renewing my season ticket whatever the price. I disagree with the reduction of the concessions age, but it sounds like some of you want to stay in league one for the cheaper prices.

Last year we were wondering whether it would be possible to buy a season ticket again due to the torrid state of our club.

I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!!
Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

Gary Clark wrote:
I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

According to this morning's Echo, our season ticket prices are about average for the championship...(page 51 for reference)

Been a season ticket holder for some time now and i think the prices are pretty fair! We want good football again and I dont doubt we'll see it so cough up and enjoy every game as we march on to the prem COYS!!!

slugger wrote:
to those moaning ....... what did you expect ? .........you're the first to say "buy him" and "buy him" to gain promotion again but when you're asked to put you're hands in your pockets , you're "treated shabbily" .........it ain't like gas , water or electricity that we all need ......if you don't like it don't buy one ..... simple as that !

knob

SouthamptonLegend wrote:

slugger wrote: to those moaning ....... what did you expect ? .........you're the first to say "buy him" and "buy him" to gain promotion again but when you're asked to put you're hands in your pockets , you're "treated shabbily" .........it ain't like gas , water or electricity that we all need ......if you don't like it don't buy one ..... simple as that !

knob

explain ?

Does any one get the feeling they are stuck in a massive hamster wheel?

slugger wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote:

slugger wrote: to those moaning ....... what did you expect ? .........you're the first to say "buy him" and "buy him" to gain promotion again but when you're asked to put you're hands in your pockets , you're "treated shabbily" .........it ain't like gas , water or electricity that we all need ......if you don't like it don't buy one ..... simple as that !

knob

explain ?

shocking !

Baddesley Bill wrote:

Gary Clark wrote:
I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

According to this morning's Echo, our season ticket prices are about average for the championship...(page 51 for reference)

Gary, extortionate rise ???????, well the last two years you and i have had it cheap, no one is holding a gun to your head, if your not happy, simply do not renew.

St. Curious Chimp wrote:

Baddesley Bill wrote:

Gary Clark wrote:
I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

According to this morning's Echo, our season ticket prices are about average for the championship...(page 51 for reference)

Gary, extortionate rise ???????, well the last two years you and i have had it cheap, no one is holding a gun to your head, if your not happy, simply do not renew.

well said! people moaning about it confuse me, im not rich but im loyal so will be renewing...its a choice

I will be renewing my season ticket and taking up the offer of payment plan which myself and my girlfriend will help each other get her a season ticket. These prices arent bad and i thought mine would go up by at least £1oo. End of the day we have gone up a division and our club is not in debt. We have to compete in the championship and bring in new players and income but at least were not in debt. We dont pay over the odds in wages so were helping keeping our proud club afloat. Imagine prices when we get to the premiership let alone the championship. So cmon saints fans we all new prices would go up and to watch saints play in the upper league.

St. Curious Chimp wrote:

slugger wrote:

SouthamptonLegend wrote:

slugger wrote: to those moaning ....... what did you expect ? .........you're the first to say "buy him" and "buy him" to gain promotion again but when you're asked to put you're hands in your pockets , you're "treated shabbily" .........it ain't like gas , water or electricity that we all need ......if you don't like it don't buy one ..... simple as that !

knob

explain ?

shocking !

Exactly right slugger. If we want the club to buy players and compete in this division then we as "shareholders" must be prepared to put our hand in our pockets to fund this extra expenditure.
If we want the club to gain another promotion then WE have to help pay for it.
If the ticket prices stayed the same then the club would not grow but stagnate

rednwhite1 wrote:
I will be renewing my season ticket and taking up the offer of payment plan which myself and my girlfriend will help each other get her a season ticket. These prices arent bad and i thought mine would go up by at least £1oo. End of the day we have gone up a division and our club is not in debt. We have to compete in the championship and bring in new players and income but at least were not in debt. We dont pay over the odds in wages so were helping keeping our proud club afloat. Imagine prices when we get to the premiership let alone the championship. So cmon saints fans we all new prices would go up and to watch saints play in the upper league.

I agree, if we want the best we have to contribute, and since the prices are the average for the division that is a fair policy.

I just don't understand any of the moaning

a/ last year's season ticket prices were great value and in reality underpriced. This seasons prices while a hike at a time when most people are struggling are on par with most others in our division. The suggestion that they are premiership prices is nonsense, unless you watch Wigan or Bolton(and why would you want to?)
b/ why should non season ticket holders pay the same price as season ticket holders? The answer is simple we put our money up front, if Saints are cr*p we have already paid and we don't get to pick and choose our games.
c/Why is the raise in age for concessions an issue, most people work to they are 65, and at that age they probably have more disposable income.
d/ Booking fee. Can anyone tell me where they can book tickets for any event on line or by phone and not pay a booking fee. Usually more the £3 and then plus postage. When I have ordered tickets over the phone I have been charged £3.00 per booking not per ticket.
e/ if we want to compete and be successful then more income is needed.
f/ 23 home games works out at around £20 a game in the wings. That to me still represents value.

Well last season i paid 433 for a adult and a under 12 season ticket and this season as my nipper is only 10 my renewal price is 380 plus nothing for his so for me this has certainly made my day.Im on the bus.
I certainly thought mine would have been alot.

Sounds to me like there are a lot of well off people about!
No signs of austerity or cut backs amongst Saints fans!

Gary Clark wrote:
I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!!
Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

£465, that's £20.22 per game. Why don't you visit the 20 league grounds in the premier league next season and see how many let you in with that kind of money!

You're right about one thing though, NC has no idea how to save a club from extinction, run it professionally and put it on a stable financial footing! Please tell me it's too extortionate for you to renew!!

Why do all the moaners think they are owed something from the club? The price is fair for the league we are in. I bet you are the same people moanig about where all the money is for players. The club owes you nothing! You owe the owners for saving our club from going out of business! Pay up or shut the f@@k up!!

I found out today that Burnley have done the same thing to the concession age. BUT!! anyone who is already retired gets to keep the concession rate. Exactly what i proposed in my post above. at least they are not taking their retired fans to the cleaners. Why can't Cortese do the same as a goodwill gesture?

George4th wrote:
Sounds to me like there are a lot of well off people about! No signs of austerity or cut backs amongst Saints fans!

I believe I speak for the majority of season ticket holders.
We see it as a bill,like any other that has to be paid.
And I will start to save up for 2012/13 after July 1st.So I will have the money ready.

Gary Clark wrote:
I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

Forget what league we are in and try and look at it through business eyes. For example: The fans wanted to keep Adam Lallana, he signed a new contract, rumoured to be worth £14k a week. At £20 a ticket that requires 700 people to pay his weeks wage. But that just covers every other weeks' home game so it's actually 1400 people to cover his wages for away games. Then you've got the summer holidays to cover. With the oncosts of employing people you probably need 2000 per home game to pay just that one player.

Stop asking other people to subsidise your entertainment. If you and I want to watch top players we must expect to pay their wages via our ticket money, the shirts we buy and all the rest of it.

I think the renewell cost is quite reasonable
It is a bit pricey to buy a new one but that begs te question, where were you last season? Or would you not pay the money to watch League 1 football?
I'm glad current STH's are being rewarded, an extra couple of quid a game to watch Championship football is ok by me

i think the ayes have it !

slugger wrote:
i think the ayes have it !

Aye

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

Gary Clark wrote:
I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

Forget what league we are in and try and look at it through business eyes. For example: The fans wanted to keep Adam Lallana, he signed a new contract, rumoured to be worth £14k a week. At £20 a ticket that requires 700 people to pay his weeks wage. But that just covers every other weeks' home game so it's actually 1400 people to cover his wages for away games. Then you've got the summer holidays to cover. With the oncosts of employing people you probably need 2000 per home game to pay just that one player.

Stop asking other people to subsidise your entertainment. If you and I want to watch top players we must expect to pay their wages via our ticket money, the shirts we buy and all the rest of it.

What a load of old tosh. So are you trying to tell me the club can't afford AL if they don't up a pensioners season ticket by 145%? They managed to afford him for 6 months on your alledged 14k a week and they would no doubt have managed if we hadn't got promoted. I suppose shirtsales and sponsorships of the player go straight in the backpocket as well as only gate receipts pay player wages? The club has been getting close to Premiership gates in League one. They can hardly plead poverty. And before you chelp up with "its the most expensive created squad in league one" well so it **** well should be and with £10 of Oxo money coming in that point is Moot.

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

Gary Clark wrote: I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

Forget what league we are in and try and look at it through business eyes. For example: The fans wanted to keep Adam Lallana, he signed a new contract, rumoured to be worth £14k a week. At £20 a ticket that requires 700 people to pay his weeks wage. But that just covers every other weeks' home game so it's actually 1400 people to cover his wages for away games. Then you've got the summer holidays to cover. With the oncosts of employing people you probably need 2000 per home game to pay just that one player. Stop asking other people to subsidise your entertainment. If you and I want to watch top players we must expect to pay their wages via our ticket money, the shirts we buy and all the rest of it.

What a load of old tosh. So are you trying to tell me the club can't afford AL if they don't up a pensioners season ticket by 145%? They managed to afford him for 6 months on your alledged 14k a week and they would no doubt have managed if we hadn't got promoted. I suppose shirtsales and sponsorships of the player go straight in the backpocket as well as only gate receipts pay player wages? The club has been getting close to Premiership gates in League one. They can hardly plead poverty. And before you chelp up with "its the most expensive created squad in league one" well so it **** well should be and with £10 of Oxo money coming in that point is Moot.

seed's post was correct (imo)......who mentioned back-pockets ? oh , and in my job , most pensioners (65+)i've met have more disposable income than i do ......get real , it's a business first and foremost , i guarantee attendances will be up on last season , if any money goes into any back-pockets i'm sure nicola will act accordingly .... i trust the man !

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

Gary Clark wrote: I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

Forget what league we are in and try and look at it through business eyes. For example: The fans wanted to keep Adam Lallana, he signed a new contract, rumoured to be worth £14k a week. At £20 a ticket that requires 700 people to pay his weeks wage. But that just covers every other weeks' home game so it's actually 1400 people to cover his wages for away games. Then you've got the summer holidays to cover. With the oncosts of employing people you probably need 2000 per home game to pay just that one player. Stop asking other people to subsidise your entertainment. If you and I want to watch top players we must expect to pay their wages via our ticket money, the shirts we buy and all the rest of it.

What a load of old tosh. So are you trying to tell me the club can't afford AL if they don't up a pensioners season ticket by 145%? They managed to afford him for 6 months on your alledged 14k a week and they would no doubt have managed if we hadn't got promoted. I suppose shirtsales and sponsorships of the player go straight in the backpocket as well as only gate receipts pay player wages? The club has been getting close to Premiership gates in League one. They can hardly plead poverty. And before you chelp up with "its the most expensive created squad in league one" well so it **** well should be and with £10 of Oxo money coming in that point is Moot.

Do the maths for yourself. The published accounts for July 2010 show the Liebherrs subsidised the club to the tune of £7m in that year. Turnover was only £12m so that's a pretty big percentage in my book. Time you, me and the pensioners paid our share.

If they cut prices for A they have to raise prices for B. The days when all pensioners were poor are long gone, they have one of the highest disposable incomes of all age groups which is why so many products and services are targeted at them.

Letting kids in for free makes more sense as they will hopefully become lifelong fans.

dibsy1984 wrote:
I think the renewell cost is quite reasonable It is a bit pricey to buy a new one but that begs te question, where were you last season? Or would you not pay the money to watch League 1 football? I'm glad current STH's are being rewarded, an extra couple of quid a game to watch Championship football is ok by me

Exactly,where were you whingers last season and the season before.
I renewed my season ticket in the dark days ,along with many thousands of others, for 2009/10 after Saints were relegated to League 1.
So it is right and proper that we get a reduction for renewing our season tickets every year.

We must run in different circles, I'd like to meet all these well to do pensioners you keep refering to. Most pensioners I know are on a fixed income and are forced to have a part time job just to keep the heating on. But thats Gosport for you. Maybe your happy bunch are lording it over at Poole Quays. from £190 to £465 for a retired 64 year old to keep his season ticket in the chapel is a 145% rip-off and if you cannot see that then so be it theres no further point arguing.

Right for you moaning lot i've just had another look at the accounts. (This is to 30th June 2010 so is nearly a year old of course.)

Income £14,281,484
Operating costs (before player trading) £22,233,000
The difference between those two figures was covered by the Liebherrs, there are no bank debts or overdrafts or mortgages just a debt to the family who subsidised the running of SFC to the tune of several million pounds.

The balance sheet shows the club owes Markus Liebherrs estate £8,400,000 being the sum he injected to cover the losses incurred.

Should anyone be interested the turnover of £14,281,484 is made up as follows:
Broadcasting 821,310
Matchday 10,072,212
Commercial 3,043,074
Other 344,888

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:
We must run in different circles, I'd like to meet all these well to do pensioners you keep refering to. Most pensioners I know are on a fixed income and are forced to have a part time job just to keep the heating on. But thats Gosport for you. Maybe your happy bunch are lording it over at Poole Quays. from £190 to £465 for a retired 64 year old to keep his season ticket in the chapel is a 145% rip-off and if you cannot see that then so be it theres no further point arguing.

We live in the wealthiest part of a country that is the 6th wealthiest nation on Earth. (Although I do admit Gosport is a total shithole)

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:
We must run in different circles, I'd like to meet all these well to do pensioners you keep refering to. Most pensioners I know are on a fixed income and are forced to have a part time job just to keep the heating on. But thats Gosport for you. Maybe your happy bunch are lording it over at Poole Quays. from £190 to £465 for a retired 64 year old to keep his season ticket in the chapel is a 145% rip-off and if you cannot see that then so be it theres no further point arguing.

I agree that you have had a sharp rise in price (for a year). But I think you'll find that most on here are generalising about the average price hike...not specifically arguing against your situation. The fact is...we can all make our point....and then have to like it or lump it!

Im sure they will be crying into their Südtiroler Grauer when we gain promotion and they reap the fabled premiership riches of £90million a mere ten times that investment ;) No one is arguing that the club has to be run as a self sustaining business. The last thing anyone wants is Man Utd's overdraft. If we go up next season you can expect 40% rises across the board again in the style of QPR and rightly so. Thats not coming as a huge shock you can plan for it now.

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:
We must run in different circles, I'd like to meet all these well to do pensioners you keep refering to. Most pensioners I know are on a fixed income and are forced to have a part time job just to keep the heating on. But thats Gosport for you. Maybe your happy bunch are lording it over at Poole Quays. from £190 to £465 for a retired 64 year old to keep his season ticket in the chapel is a 145% rip-off and if you cannot see that then so be it theres no further point arguing.

A 145% increase is a lot but not necessarily indicative of a rip off, maybe the end to a very generous concession (8 quid a ticket). Concessions should be in place though for certain people including pensioners ie. anyone 65 and over. If someone is 64 and retired (early) they’ll only get ‘ripped off’ for a year! Personally I’m sure I will have to work until at least 65 for financial reasons!!

How is 64 retired early? the Female retirement age was 60 until April last year. You could quite easily be 64 and have been retired 4 years.

Show me another group of fans in the country (in fact why not the world!! )facing a 145% rise in ticket prices then Saints 60-64 brigade.

I'm off down the pub to go watch England now so my final word on the subject is:-

Burnley are doing the right thing by their fans, why can't Southampton? :o

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:
Im sure they will be crying into their Südtiroler Grauer when we gain promotion and they reap the fabled premiership riches of £90million a mere ten times that investment ;) No one is arguing that the club has to be run as a self sustaining business. The last thing anyone wants is Man Utd's overdraft. If we go up next season you can expect 40% rises across the board again in the style of QPR and rightly so. Thats not coming as a huge shock you can plan for it now.

When you get to the Prem income will rocket, probably at least £60m in our case but so will the quality of the players and consequently their transfer fees and wages! It's a vicious circle. As I posted the other day I watched the Alan Sugar documentary where Dave Whelan admitted to subsidising Wigan to the tune of £100,000,000 since he took over. The Prem doesn't make you rich it costs you money - ask Roman Abromovich and Mike Ashley, and Chelsea and Newcastle are bigger clubs than us.

Also there is no guarantee that the clubs management will get it right. They might buy a player who turns out to be a dud or lose a couple of crucial ones to serious injury. You can invest more and more money and not achieve the promised land.

legod7 wrote:

George4th wrote:
Sounds to me like there are a lot of well off people about! No signs of austerity or cut backs amongst Saints fans!

I believe I speak for the majority of season ticket holders.
We see it as a bill,like any other that has to be paid.
And I will start to save up for 2012/13 after July 1st.So I will have the money ready.

That puts you in a privileged position, in that you can afford it. If you couldn't, you wouldn't go!

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:
How is 64 retired early? the Female retirement age was 60 until April last year. You could quite easily be 64 and have been retired 4 years.

Show me another group of fans in the country (in fact why not the world!! )facing a 145% rise in ticket prices then Saints 60-64 brigade.

I'm off down the pub to go watch England now so my final word on the subject is:-

Burnley are doing the right thing by their fans, why can't Southampton? :o

Well if it wasn’t your final word I would say that SFC weren't charging the 60-64 age group this much in April last year!!! As retirement age changes then so do retirement age concessions (and I'm not even a brain surgeon) and show me another group of fans in the country (or world) that until recently paid so little. 65 is the retirement age now and 65 is when Saints fans get this concession! We can nitpick til the cows come home, I know a lot of pensioners struggle but a lot have pensions up the wazoo and loads of disposable income. You want means testing at the turnstiles?? Oh yes if only our club could be more like bloody Burnley!

George4th wrote:

legod7 wrote:

George4th wrote: Sounds to me like there are a lot of well off people about! No signs of austerity or cut backs amongst Saints fans!

I believe I speak for the majority of season ticket holders. We see it as a bill,like any other that has to be paid. And I will start to save up for 2012/13 after July 1st.So I will have the money ready.

That puts you in a privileged position, in that you can afford it. If you couldn't, you wouldn't go!

I don't smoke and I don't drink,so perhaps I can save easier than some people.
Perhaps that is what "puts me in a privileged position"

SomersetSaintly wrote:

Sweary_Wiffles wrote:

SomersetSaintly wrote:
As a fan who lives some 60 miles from SMS and who enjoys going 5/6 times a season I now have the unfortunate choice between queueing on the day & paying £2 extra for the privelige or ordering on-line and paying a £3 'booking' fee. Some choice! Nice to see the club are looking after fans like me. Sadly I feel there are numerous fans like myself who will now think twice about paying these unfortunate fees on top of a hefty ticket price. Why are clubs so short sighted in their approach to fans? In times like these fans should be given incentives to attend instead we are being hit with petty unjustified extra costs. Do we want SMS filled up every other Saturday or would the club rather have 10,000 empty seats?

It's £2/3? I don't get the problem here! Not just you but it seems everyone's just complaining for complaining's sake........ or would you all rather we stayed in League 1 forever? It's swings and roundabout. There has always been that charge to order online or buy on the day and I don't understand why suddenly this is a problem?

SW takes the p*ss a bit. fund-here - yeah, 90% of you would like something for nothing wouldn't you? Let us not forget that it wasn't so long ago that we didn't know if we'd have a club to support. Grow up

I'm not expecting something for nothing but I don't expect to have to pay £3 to have a ticket put in the post. It's just another way of ripping fans off. Why not let fans collect on the day for nothing?! I now have to pay a minimum of £30 to watch a Championship game of football. I just hope the team performs well this season or I fear attendances will drop considersably. Some fans may well be happy to pay whatever the club asks for but most fans are wiser and expect to be treated fairly. Don't get me wrong, I'll still be coming as often as I can but I think clubs don't help themselves sometimes. On the plus side - not charging under 11's is brilliant!

So I'm now unwise? Well done for you broad put down of how ever many tens of thousands of people. I applaud you

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:
The Pension age is going up by one year and that doesnt kick in till 2016, and even then you have to be born after 1960. If your car insurance went up by 77% you would tell them to do one. We are told repeatidly about the so called age of austerity and how "we are all in it together" but getting people who have already retired to stump up that extra money is a pisstake and thats the bottom line. If you are already retired and have a pension book then you should be exempted by these rises. That would be a minority of retired female pensionsers who I doubt are still working. This is hardly going to bankrupt the club. If it was 77% across the board and not just for the people who can least afford it i'm sure you would have something to say then.

It's not. My mother was born before 1960 and it's totally screwed her over. There are a few months where she'd be fine but she wasn't born then. I think you mean 1950

To be honest, I do not have the energy or inclination to read all of the above posts since I posted last night. I've got a simple(ish) solution for all of you that are devastated at the price increase with going up a league. Make yourselves all disabled

Booking fees are a rip off. It's just another way to increase costs while not increasing the match price too much.

I don't pay booking fees and neither should anyone else. If booking fees were declared unlawful, would they close the phone lines and web site or just cover the costs via the ticket sales?

It's not rocket science fgs. People are just stupid and pay up because they can't go without and the more stupid people there are, the more everyone else has to put up or shut up. Duh.

Oh, and I hate football almost as much as I hate booking fees. :)

Sweary_Wiffles wrote:
To be honest, I do not have the energy or inclination to read all of the above posts since I posted last night. I've got a simple(ish) solution for all of you that are devastated at the price increase with going up a league. Make yourselves all disabled

Naughty Wiffles!

Anybody know if u can buy tickets on the day 4 U21 game tomorrow?

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

Sweary_Wiffles wrote:
To be honest, I do not have the energy or inclination to read all of the above posts since I posted last night. I've got a simple(ish) solution for all of you that are devastated at the price increase with going up a league. Make yourselves all disabled

Naughty Wiffles!

Sorry lol

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
Right for you moaning lot i've just had another look at the accounts. (This is to 30th June 2010 so is nearly a year old of course.) Income £14,281,484 Operating costs (before player trading) £22,233,000 The difference between those two figures was covered by the Liebherrs, there are no bank debts or overdrafts or mortgages just a debt to the family who subsidised the running of SFC to the tune of several million pounds. The balance sheet shows the club owes Markus Liebherrs estate £8,400,000 being the sum he injected to cover the losses incurred.

Seedhouse- How refreshing to find someone who quotes hard facts on this site instead of the usual fluff and waffle.As a former small shareholder who misses reading the Annual Reports of the club so as to get to the truth behind everything,may I ask,without having to go through Companies House where you've managed to get a copy of the 2010 Accounts?

all quiet on the weston front ! .......i do try to see it from all angles but at the end of the day "you get what you pay for"...(in my oppinion)...if we are to progress these prices are inevitable........fo
r me , £30 a game is a price i'm more than happy to pay as long as i see the club going in the right direction !

a few thoughts after a hot saturday....the difficulty with concessions is that people within that group will vary from the wealthy to the hard up. A 25 year old with two young children probably has less disposable income than a 65 year old pensioner. There is no fair way of helping the hard up whether they are 20 or 70....but why does a pensioner automatically get a concession while a younger person who is no better off financially have to pay full price? why does a rich 65 year old pay the same price as a poor 65 year old.The only answer I have is that life just aint fair.....(reaches for another drink)

saints-fanathotmail.
co.uk wrote:
a few thoughts after a hot saturday....the difficulty with concessions is that people within that group will vary from the wealthy to the hard up. A 25 year old with two young children probably has less disposable income than a 65 year old pensioner. There is no fair way of helping the hard up whether they are 20 or 70....but why does a pensioner automatically get a concession while a younger person who is no better off financially have to pay full price? why does a rich 65 year old pay the same price as a poor 65 year old.The only answer I have is that life just aint fair.....(reaches for another drink)

Exactly what I was about to say (before you found the answer) That's life.....

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

Exiled Saint - front line eastern outpost of Gosport wrote:
We must run in different circles, I'd like to meet all these well to do pensioners you keep refering to. Most pensioners I know are on a fixed income and are forced to have a part time job just to keep the heating on. But thats Gosport for you. Maybe your happy bunch are lording it over at Poole Quays. from £190 to £465 for a retired 64 year old to keep his season ticket in the chapel is a 145% rip-off and if you cannot see that then so be it theres no further point arguing.

We live in the wealthiest part of a country that is the 6th wealthiest nation on Earth. (Although I do admit Gosport is a total shithole)

Gosport has the Oakland Brewing Company...

Fratton's the Sh1thole

I wanna go home
I wanna go ho me
Fratton's a Sh1thole
I wanna go home

WE H8 POMPEY.

RED ARMY. WE RULE THE SOUTH.

Thirty quid a game? Cheap eh? To a shirt wearing, rampant footie fan, maybe it is... but there are not enough of you to fill the stadium on a regular basis is there?

Over a million people in Southampton and what is the average gate at St Mary's?

You are but a tiny minority I am afraid but all, it seems with big time ideas beyond actual reality!

As with all sports, leisure and entertainment in Britain, it is too expensive to watch live football.

As the hard times bite even harder I predict that the half empty stadiums we see now will soon be only quarter full.

Get real. Football in general cannot even support itself and yet I hear you all blabbing on about multi million pound deals for players and wage bills way beyond sensible, let alone reasonable for kicking around a bag of wind.

Famously, your local rivals couldn't even pay the Pie and Paper bills and what happens when all the millionaire backers tire and move on?

I am not a football hater, in fact I enjoy the game and like to watch a good match as much as the next guy.

I live within site of St Mary's and like to see the Saints do well but they ain't worth thirty quid of my hard earned for a couple of hours football that by its very nature may or may not be that entertaining.

Get the prices down and fill the stadium up because as it stands now, only the fervent will turn up, whilst the rest of us, who have other interests outside football and the local team, choose to spend our cash elsewhere that offers better value for money.

You know I am talking sense but I know I can expect nothing but abuse now from the more deluded among your tiny but vocal numbers.

TheJeepster wrote:
Thirty quid a game? Cheap eh? To a shirt wearing, rampant footie fan, maybe it is... but there are not enough of you to fill the stadium on a regular basis is there?

Over a million people in Southampton and what is the average gate at St Mary's?

You are but a tiny minority I am afraid but all, it seems with big time ideas beyond actual reality!

As with all sports, leisure and entertainment in Britain, it is too expensive to watch live football.

As the hard times bite even harder I predict that the half empty stadiums we see now will soon be only quarter full.

Get real. Football in general cannot even support itself and yet I hear you all blabbing on about multi million pound deals for players and wage bills way beyond sensible, let alone reasonable for kicking around a bag of wind.

Famously, your local rivals couldn't even pay the Pie and Paper bills and what happens when all the millionaire backers tire and move on?

I am not a football hater, in fact I enjoy the game and like to watch a good match as much as the next guy.

I live within site of St Mary's and like to see the Saints do well but they ain't worth thirty quid of my hard earned for a couple of hours football that by its very nature may or may not be that entertaining.

Get the prices down and fill the stadium up because as it stands now, only the fervent will turn up, whilst the rest of us, who have other interests outside football and the local team, choose to spend our cash elsewhere that offers better value for money.

You know I am talking sense but I know I can expect nothing but abuse now from the more deluded among your tiny but vocal numbers.

You know what - The Jeepster

It's good to have the debate on the forum site and even better to have a full St Mary's...

Red and White. COYR

That's the point isn't it.

You don't fill the stadium!

As much as I can see and appreciate that those who are fervent about the game will pay almost anything they are asked to support their team, football does not actually generate enough interest to pay it's own way.

You can't argue with that and you know that without multi millionaire backers and telly money the game would implode in a mass of debt.

The reason football does not generate enough interest and thus bigger gates is because most people, who are in a massive majority in this case, wouldn't go to watch a game because it simply does not provide good value for money.

If you reckon its ok for players to be taking so much out of the game, without showing the loyalty that the fans do for the club, whilst at the same time, for many fans, a single game will cost them more than 10% of their weekly income, or half a days work, well then I guess with that type of economic non-sense, it is no surprise we are where we are as a nation, ripping each other off in a cloud cuckoo land of imaginary riches that don't and never did exist, hence the credit crunch, which has pulled the rug from under it.

How close were Saints from disappearing into history and have you lot not learnt a thing from that?

Give the game back to the people, all of the people.

Slap the payers back down cos' they really are not worth as much as they think they are, run the clubs within tight budgets and charge a fair gate entrance.

Fill the football stadiums of England.

Better to have 30 000 paying 15 quid then 15 000 paying twice as much isn't it?

Or is it that those who run the clubs realise that no matter how cheap it is, they are not going to fill the grounds because the interest in football is not actually as much as it used to be and they have no confidence that the fans will turn up, even if gate prices come down?

The game needs to get a grip on itself and needs to do it quickly.

There are only so many Multi Millionaires out there and eventually, with things going as they are, clubs are going to fail and go out of business.

Bring back the days of cheap beer and cheap footie...is what you have now that much better or have you just got used to being ripped off?

Jeepster is this thread survives much longer you might get a spanking off some Saints fans but I do agree with a lot of what you say. Football is full of greed and players wages are driving up gate prices. I wonder how much longer it can sustain itself though i still love the game. Disagree with the million people bit though, population of Southampton is around 250,000.

I am not attacking the fans at all.

Lets just say some are more fans than others and whilst the fanatical fans will always turn out, the others won't and since there are not enough fanatical fans to fill the stadiums wouldn't it be better to try and attract the others who like to see the local team doing well but don' think thirty quid ( a pound every three minutes ) is worth paying to watch 90 minutes of football.

As for football sustaining itself, it doesn't, if it did there would be none of the massive debts that most clubs now have.

I also think that in their heart of hearts most true fans of the game know it has a big problem, I just like to stir the pot sometimes because it needs thinking about and things have to change otherwise we are going to lose a lot of clubs and that cannot be good for community spirit in general or the fans themselves.

Correction on the million People.

WobblyCat is right. The City of Southampton is populated by 234 000.

The Southampton Metropolitan area is populated by over 1.5 million but even so the fanatical fans are in the minority, by a long way.

There is too much politics in football as it is but honestly, we have to get away from this idea that sport, leisure and entertainment is cheap in Britain, it is not.

If it were, all our venues for footie, cricket, concerts, our pubs, clubs and cinemas etc. and so on would be full all of the time.

They are not and as time goes on, we will lose even more of them.

As I said before, give the game back to the people. The players are there to entertain all of us, on the football pitch, not on the front pages of the scandal sheets.

pugwash wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote: Right for you moaning lot i've just had another look at the accounts. (This is to 30th June 2010 so is nearly a year old of course.) Income £14,281,484 Operating costs (before player trading) £22,233,000 The difference between those two figures was covered by the Liebherrs, there are no bank debts or overdrafts or mortgages just a debt to the family who subsidised the running of SFC to the tune of several million pounds. The balance sheet shows the club owes Markus Liebherrs estate £8,400,000 being the sum he injected to cover the losses incurred.

Seedhouse- How refreshing to find someone who quotes hard facts on this site instead of the usual fluff and waffle.As a former small shareholder who misses reading the Annual Reports of the club so as to get to the truth behind everything,may I ask,without having to go through Companies House where you've managed to get a copy of the 2010 Accounts?

Hi pugwash. Download from Companies House for £1 or post an email address and I will email the PDF to you or anyone else who wants them.

Gary Clark wrote:
I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

Neutrals opinion: The rises are steep and some seem a little "unfair" but in essence, the football has been cheap in recent seasons. Going up is what everyone wanted, but now some seem to be upset that the progress needs to be funded. As they go up to Championship, more gates = more merchandising = more sky TV = more exec boxes = better chance of Premier League again.
Yes, some people will not renew in protest but at 20 quid a game or so, it is still pretty good value for a season ticket.
Booking fees are added to everything nowadays so why is football any different?

The only was to progress is to sustain and this in inevitable.

PS: I have an Arsenal season ticket and mine is 1,075 quid! Plus getting to matches + Beer/food = 2,500 per season. That is a stiff sum!

TheJeepster wrote:
Thirty quid a game? Cheap eh? To a shirt wearing, rampant footie fan, maybe it is... but there are not enough of you to fill the stadium on a regular basis is there?

Over a million people in Southampton and what is the average gate at St Mary's?

You are but a tiny minority I am afraid but all, it seems with big time ideas beyond actual reality!

As with all sports, leisure and entertainment in Britain, it is too expensive to watch live football.

As the hard times bite even harder I predict that the half empty stadiums we see now will soon be only quarter full.

Get real. Football in general cannot even support itself and yet I hear you all blabbing on about multi million pound deals for players and wage bills way beyond sensible, let alone reasonable for kicking around a bag of wind.

Famously, your local rivals couldn't even pay the Pie and Paper bills and what happens when all the millionaire backers tire and move on?

I am not a football hater, in fact I enjoy the game and like to watch a good match as much as the next guy.

I live within site of St Mary's and like to see the Saints do well but they ain't worth thirty quid of my hard earned for a couple of hours football that by its very nature may or may not be that entertaining.

Get the prices down and fill the stadium up because as it stands now, only the fervent will turn up, whilst the rest of us, who have other interests outside football and the local team, choose to spend our cash elsewhere that offers better value for money.

You know I am talking sense but I know I can expect nothing but abuse now from the more deluded among your tiny but vocal numbers.

"You know I am talking sense but I know I can expect nothing but abuse now from the more deluded among your tiny but vocal numbers."

If you're going to patronise all of us (which by the looks of all your posts you are insisting upon), I expect you will sooner or later. Perhaps try again WITHOUT the patronising sense and you never know. People might listen to you. As in more than just WobblyCat who is one person - not people.

gooner1711 wrote:

Gary Clark wrote:
I would like to say the extorniate rise in season tickets this year proves what an idiot Nicola Cortese is, just another Rupert Lowe who's clueless about his specialist subject? business! Why is the club charging Premier League prices for Championship games? Why does the club continue to rip fans off? and simply expect the fans to pay it, absolutely disgraceful, robbing two-faced greedy businessman who are clueless on how to run a football club. I payed £328 last year for league 1 and it goes up to £465? shocking!!!!!! Am I mistaken or did we only go up 1 division or are we now somehow back in the Premier League!

Neutrals opinion: The rises are steep and some seem a little "unfair" but in essence, the football has been cheap in recent seasons. Going up is what everyone wanted, but now some seem to be upset that the progress needs to be funded. As they go up to Championship, more gates = more merchandising = more sky TV = more exec boxes = better chance of Premier League again.
Yes, some people will not renew in protest but at 20 quid a game or so, it is still pretty good value for a season ticket.
Booking fees are added to everything nowadays so why is football any different?

The only was to progress is to sustain and this in inevitable.

PS: I have an Arsenal season ticket and mine is 1,075 quid! Plus getting to matches + Beer/food = 2,500 per season. That is a stiff sum!

That's the point I've been trying to make gooner!

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

pugwash wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote: Right for you moaning lot i've just had another look at the accounts. (This is to 30th June 2010 so is nearly a year old of course.) Income £14,281,484 Operating costs (before player trading) £22,233,000 The difference between those two figures was covered by the Liebherrs, there are no bank debts or overdrafts or mortgages just a debt to the family who subsidised the running of SFC to the tune of several million pounds. The balance sheet shows the club owes Markus Liebherrs estate £8,400,000 being the sum he injected to cover the losses incurred.

Seedhouse- How refreshing to find someone who quotes hard facts on this site instead of the usual fluff and waffle.As a former small shareholder who misses reading the Annual Reports of the club so as to get to the truth behind everything,may I ask,without having to go through Companies House where you've managed to get a copy of the 2010 Accounts?

Hi pugwash. Download from Companies House for £1 or post an email address and I will email the PDF to you or anyone else who wants them.

Seedhouse-Your a star,many thanks.I'll try Companies House,but if I have problems,I'll get in touch.All the best.

Sweary_Wiffles.

If you feel patronised then that's your problem mate.

I am merely pointing out that Saints and many other clubs do not fill their stadiums on a regular basis because apart from the fervent fans, who it seems to me will pay just about anything they are asked, no one else bothers to turn out to football any more unless there is a big match on.

If you are unable to see a problem with that and a problem with paying thirty quid for a game of football in the second tier of the Leagues, fair enough, carry on regardless, far be it for me to tell you your wrong.

I may be accused of patronising you and maybe I am but your'e a football fan, you should be used to it and don't you ever listen to yourselves?

The fact is, in my opinion and it would seem the majority in the city as a whole, if a half empty St Mary's is the benchmark to go by, I think anybody who believes the gate admission for a football match is fair and equitable with what you are actually getting for your money and what ordinary people have to spend in disposable income IS deluded or brainwashed.

If it was a fair price and was worth what you are paying for...the stadium would be packed to the rafters for each and every home game whether it was Man U or Tranmere Rovers.

I applaud all real fans of all sports for sticking by their teams and putting up with being taken for mugs....I just find it hard to understand why you go along with it when there is not the same loyalty from the overpaid players and the clubs are usually owned by multi millionaires who then overcharge you for the right to watch what is, after all...YOUR LOCAL TEAM.

I'm sorry but that's how I see it.

I am not patronising you I am stating categorically that I think you are being taken for a ride but all I hear back is you seem happy to go along with it when you should be demanding better value for money, not getting all excited over signing the next multi million pound mercenary, when the game can't afford it!

Good on you for paying up and turning out, you and the other fans vote with your feet but the majority vote with their backsides and stay at home.

And that's the point, I live in Southampton, was born in this area and I love all sports. Sometimes I feel I wouldn't mind pitching up to watch a match at St Mary's but it is not the be all and end all for me and thirty quid on the gate is way over the top in my opinion.

I also find it hard to enjoy football as much as I used too because I truly believe the game has lost almost all its credibility and integrity.

The players are obscenely and grossly overpaid, do not seem to display any social responsibility at all, apart from a notable few, they have little loyalty to any club once another deluded debt ridden "big" club comes waving its bouncing cheque book at them and yet fans seem to hero worship these guys when the fact is, they are mostly not worthy of the respect given to them.

I talk to many football fans in my job and old and young, MOST clearly love the game but think the players are paid too much and as fans, they are being asked to pay too much.

And by the way...I know WOBBLY CAT IS JUST ONE PERSON, if you read my previous posts before trying to patronise me and make me look stupid you might be able to work it out.

Football does have a problem but if you cannot see that, as many other fans can and as many more of us who enjoy a match but are not rampant fans know, then there is nothing more I have to add.

TheJeepster wrote:
Sweary_Wiffles. If you feel patronised then that's your problem mate. I am merely pointing out that Saints and many other clubs do not fill their stadiums on a regular basis because apart from the fervent fans, who it seems to me will pay just about anything they are asked, no one else bothers to turn out to football any more unless there is a big match on. If you are unable to see a problem with that and a problem with paying thirty quid for a game of football in the second tier of the Leagues, fair enough, carry on regardless, far be it for me to tell you your wrong. I may be accused of patronising you and maybe I am but your'e a football fan, you should be used to it and don't you ever listen to yourselves? The fact is, in my opinion and it would seem the majority in the city as a whole, if a half empty St Mary's is the benchmark to go by, I think anybody who believes the gate admission for a football match is fair and equitable with what you are actually getting for your money and what ordinary people have to spend in disposable income IS deluded or brainwashed. If it was a fair price and was worth what you are paying for...the stadium would be packed to the rafters for each and every home game whether it was Man U or Tranmere Rovers. I applaud all real fans of all sports for sticking by their teams and putting up with being taken for mugs....I just find it hard to understand why you go along with it when there is not the same loyalty from the overpaid players and the clubs are usually owned by multi millionaires who then overcharge you for the right to watch what is, after all...YOUR LOCAL TEAM. I'm sorry but that's how I see it. I am not patronising you I am stating categorically that I think you are being taken for a ride but all I hear back is you seem happy to go along with it when you should be demanding better value for money, not getting all excited over signing the next multi million pound mercenary, when the game can't afford it! Good on you for paying up and turning out, you and the other fans vote with your feet but the majority vote with their backsides and stay at home. And that's the point, I live in Southampton, was born in this area and I love all sports. Sometimes I feel I wouldn't mind pitching up to watch a match at St Mary's but it is not the be all and end all for me and thirty quid on the gate is way over the top in my opinion. I also find it hard to enjoy football as much as I used too because I truly believe the game has lost almost all its credibility and integrity. The players are obscenely and grossly overpaid, do not seem to display any social responsibility at all, apart from a notable few, they have little loyalty to any club once another deluded debt ridden "big" club comes waving its bouncing cheque book at them and yet fans seem to hero worship these guys when the fact is, they are mostly not worthy of the respect given to them. I talk to many football fans in my job and old and young, MOST clearly love the game but think the players are paid too much and as fans, they are being asked to pay too much. And by the way...I know WOBBLY CAT IS JUST ONE PERSON, if you read my previous posts before trying to patronise me and make me look stupid you might be able to work it out. Football does have a problem but if you cannot see that, as many other fans can and as many more of us who enjoy a match but are not rampant fans know, then there is nothing more I have to add.

Your posts are patronising in style.

As far as content is concerned you miss the point. St Marys has had excellent attendance, averaging two thirds full in a ground that was built for the Premiership but housing a team that had sunk to the third tier.

When you refer to the owners ripping us off I would point out my posts above pointing out they injected £8.4m last season to subsidise the club. You could argue that we are infact ripping them off paying ticket prices that are BELOW cost.

As for players wages it is simple market forces. I would happily play for free for the Saints but they haven't taken me up on my offer.... These market forces apply from the semi pro who is on £50 a week alongside a better player on £500 a week all the way up to the international footballer playing for a top Premier League side on £150,000 a week. Those that make the decisions must believe that player is one of the best in the world and that is why they are paying that amount, otherwise they could lose him to a rival team.

This applies to sport the world over. The top players earn multi millions at golf, tennis, basket ball, formula one etc whilst further down in their sport there are thousands of people trying to scratch a living at it.

TheJeepster wrote:
Sweary_Wiffles.

If you feel patronised then that's your problem mate.

I am merely pointing out that Saints and many other clubs do not fill their stadiums on a regular basis because apart from the fervent fans, who it seems to me will pay just about anything they are asked, no one else bothers to turn out to football any more unless there is a big match on.

If you are unable to see a problem with that and a problem with paying thirty quid for a game of football in the second tier of the Leagues, fair enough, carry on regardless, far be it for me to tell you your wrong.

I may be accused of patronising you and maybe I am but your'e a football fan, you should be used to it and don't you ever listen to yourselves?

The fact is, in my opinion and it would seem the majority in the city as a whole, if a half empty St Mary's is the benchmark to go by, I think anybody who believes the gate admission for a football match is fair and equitable with what you are actually getting for your money and what ordinary people have to spend in disposable income IS deluded or brainwashed.

If it was a fair price and was worth what you are paying for...the stadium would be packed to the rafters for each and every home game whether it was Man U or Tranmere Rovers.

I applaud all real fans of all sports for sticking by their teams and putting up with being taken for mugs....I just find it hard to understand why you go along with it when there is not the same loyalty from the overpaid players and the clubs are usually owned by multi millionaires who then overcharge you for the right to watch what is, after all...YOUR LOCAL TEAM.

I'm sorry but that's how I see it.

I am not patronising you I am stating categorically that I think you are being taken for a ride but all I hear back is you seem happy to go along with it when you should be demanding better value for money, not getting all excited over signing the next multi million pound mercenary, when the game can't afford it!

Good on you for paying up and turning out, you and the other fans vote with your feet but the majority vote with their backsides and stay at home.

And that's the point, I live in Southampton, was born in this area and I love all sports. Sometimes I feel I wouldn't mind pitching up to watch a match at St Mary's but it is not the be all and end all for me and thirty quid on the gate is way over the top in my opinion.

I also find it hard to enjoy football as much as I used too because I truly believe the game has lost almost all its credibility and integrity.

The players are obscenely and grossly overpaid, do not seem to display any social responsibility at all, apart from a notable few, they have little loyalty to any club once another deluded debt ridden "big" club comes waving its bouncing cheque book at them and yet fans seem to hero worship these guys when the fact is, they are mostly not worthy of the respect given to them.

I talk to many football fans in my job and old and young, MOST clearly love the game but think the players are paid too much and as fans, they are being asked to pay too much.

And by the way...I know WOBBLY CAT IS JUST ONE PERSON, if you read my previous posts before trying to patronise me and make me look stupid you might be able to work it out.

Football does have a problem but if you cannot see that, as many other fans can and as many more of us who enjoy a match but are not rampant fans know, then there is nothing more I have to add.

I have no interest in reading your waffle trying to explain why you've been so patronising. Just one thing. Don't call me mate when you don't know me. That just proves yet again how patronising you are. It has nothing to do with the subject as to why I think you're patronising. You just are, simple as that! I can just about deal with the (most probably) JCL's that are complaining about price but you are on a whole other level. Let us not forget, we've had since August last year to start saving up for the new season ticket! We thought we were likely to go up.... which we did. So why complain? If you're that silly that you didn't save money then it's your own fault! I understand that there are many that couldn't manage to save but they're probably in the minority.

I just added that in so you knew how we all felt. You cannot say maybe I was, maybe I wasn't. You were and still are.

You tell him Wiffles.

For your info Jeepster, Wiffles is in fact a girl - and a very attractive one I might add!

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:
You tell him Wiffles.

For your info Jeepster, Wiffles is in fact a girl - and a very attractive one I might add!

A girl that likes football and hates patronising statements! Shock horror!

Thankyou also :) Nice compliment when I'm feeling awful! Stupid cold :'(

Seedhouse and Sweary sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G …. Sorry…… we’ve had patronising and now juvenile! Seed you’re such a dawg! Jeepster I still agree with what you say about footy in general, I feel it is ready to implode at some point, ridiculous wages to some very unpleasant people (not all) and we have to pay, literally. You do come across as a bit all knowing though which grates a bit if you’re not interested enough to watch the Saints. I think as a football fan I am being a bit ripped off but as seedhouse says ‘market forces’ and it’s my choice as to whether I want to pay the price. If you don’t think it’s worth it then fine but don’t tell us we’re mugs for paying it, just as well tell me I’m a mug for not liking apple pie! It’s personal choice. So weary………how you doing?? (apart from the cold).

WobblyCat wrote:
Seedhouse and Sweary sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G …. Sorry…… we’ve had patronising and now juvenile! Seed you’re such a dawg! Jeepster I still agree with what you say about footy in general, I feel it is ready to implode at some point, ridiculous wages to some very unpleasant people (not all) and we have to pay, literally. You do come across as a bit all knowing though which grates a bit if you’re not interested enough to watch the Saints. I think as a football fan I am being a bit ripped off but as seedhouse says ‘market forces’ and it’s my choice as to whether I want to pay the price. If you don’t think it’s worth it then fine but don’t tell us we’re mugs for paying it, just as well tell me I’m a mug for not liking apple pie! It’s personal choice. So weary………how you doing?? (apart from the cold).

I do agree with that, as in the whole area of football has got ridiculous. It's just that everyone was really happy finding out the Cortese wanted us to be self-sufficient. Now they've realised that it affects them and have taken their heads out of the sand, they aren't happy!

I'm ok other than that! Seriously, 1 bit of rain and I get a cold! I should stay off this story really! It's annoying me how as a nation, we're showing the "wanting something for nothing" temperament

TheJeepster wrote:
Sweary_Wiffles. If you feel patronised then that's your problem mate. I am merely pointing out that Saints and many other clubs do not fill their stadiums on a regular basis because apart from the fervent fans, who it seems to me will pay just about anything they are asked, no one else bothers to turn out to football any more unless there is a big match on. If you are unable to see a problem with that and a problem with paying thirty quid for a game of football in the second tier of the Leagues, fair enough, carry on regardless, far be it for me to tell you your wrong. I may be accused of patronising you and maybe I am but your'e a football fan, you should be used to it and don't you ever listen to yourselves? The fact is, in my opinion and it would seem the majority in the city as a whole, if a half empty St Mary's is the benchmark to go by, I think anybody who believes the gate admission for a football match is fair and equitable with what you are actually getting for your money and what ordinary people have to spend in disposable income IS deluded or brainwashed. If it was a fair price and was worth what you are paying for...the stadium would be packed to the rafters for each and every home game whether it was Man U or Tranmere Rovers. I applaud all real fans of all sports for sticking by their teams and putting up with being taken for mugs....I just find it hard to understand why you go along with it when there is not the same loyalty from the overpaid players and the clubs are usually owned by multi millionaires who then overcharge you for the right to watch what is, after all...YOUR LOCAL TEAM. I'm sorry but that's how I see it. I am not patronising you I am stating categorically that I think you are being taken for a ride but all I hear back is you seem happy to go along with it when you should be demanding better value for money, not getting all excited over signing the next multi million pound mercenary, when the game can't afford it! Good on you for paying up and turning out, you and the other fans vote with your feet but the majority vote with their backsides and stay at home. And that's the point, I live in Southampton, was born in this area and I love all sports. Sometimes I feel I wouldn't mind pitching up to watch a match at St Mary's but it is not the be all and end all for me and thirty quid on the gate is way over the top in my opinion. I also find it hard to enjoy football as much as I used too because I truly believe the game has lost almost all its credibility and integrity. The players are obscenely and grossly overpaid, do not seem to display any social responsibility at all, apart from a notable few, they have little loyalty to any club once another deluded debt ridden "big" club comes waving its bouncing cheque book at them and yet fans seem to hero worship these guys when the fact is, they are mostly not worthy of the respect given to them. I talk to many football fans in my job and old and young, MOST clearly love the game but think the players are paid too much and as fans, they are being asked to pay too much. And by the way...I know WOBBLY CAT IS JUST ONE PERSON, if you read my previous posts before trying to patronise me and make me look stupid you might be able to work it out. Football does have a problem but if you cannot see that, as many other fans can and as many more of us who enjoy a match but are not rampant fans know, then there is nothing more I have to add.

Thank god for that.

dont think the prices are unreasonable, but what makes a fair bit of difference to me is the fact they stopped doing an adult and child package for the 14 year old age bracket my sons in. means that for a ticket for us both my costs have gone up over 50% meaning that i will have to find another £250 this year. hoping to be able to renew but have to see if i can find the extra

shrewton saint wrote:
dont think the prices are unreasonable, but what makes a fair bit of difference to me is the fact they stopped doing an adult and child package for the 14 year old age bracket my sons in. means that for a ticket for us both my costs have gone up over 50% meaning that i will have to find another £250 this year. hoping to be able to renew but have to see if i can find the extra

Good luck!

Hilarious...couldn't get much funnier!

I really never imagined when I started commenting on this that so many could be so out of touch with what is actually happening in the world, let alone Football.

Market Forces???? Don't you mean greedy players and agents?

Something for nothing??? Ditto on the above plus chuck in the managers too!

So I'm patronising, so what...you make it really easy to be so and it's not that I'm a know all...I just state the bleeding obvious...Football is apparently the most popular sport in the land and yet you don't fill your stadiums.

Obviously there is nothing wrong then?

You only picked up on the bits that you wanted to have a pop at me about, conveniently ignoring and failing to address the valid and sensible points I make.

That's bullying isn't it?

That makes us all quits then.

See you later.

It's been an education.

TheJeepster wrote:
Hilarious...couldn't get much funnier!

I really never imagined when I started commenting on this that so many could be so out of touch with what is actually happening in the world, let alone Football.

Market Forces???? Don't you mean greedy players and agents?

Something for nothing??? Ditto on the above plus chuck in the managers too!

So I'm patronising, so what...you make it really easy to be so and it's not that I'm a know all...I just state the bleeding obvious...Football is apparently the most popular sport in the land and yet you don't fill your stadiums.

Obviously there is nothing wrong then?

You only picked up on the bits that you wanted to have a pop at me about, conveniently ignoring and failing to address the valid and sensible points I make.

That's bullying isn't it?

That makes us all quits then.

See you later.

It's been an education.

It's not bullying. It's showing that I have a life and don't wish to waste it reading your essay of a patronising post! It's quite simple really. Hmm, why does the word simple whilst responding to you give me deja vu?

TheJeepster wrote:
Hilarious...couldn't get much funnier!

I really never imagined when I started commenting on this that so many could be so out of touch with what is actually happening in the world, let alone Football.

Market Forces???? Don't you mean greedy players and agents?

Something for nothing??? Ditto on the above plus chuck in the managers too!

So I'm patronising, so what...you make it really easy to be so and it's not that I'm a know all...I just state the bleeding obvious...Football is apparently the most popular sport in the land and yet you don't fill your stadiums.

Obviously there is nothing wrong then?

You only picked up on the bits that you wanted to have a pop at me about, conveniently ignoring and failing to address the valid and sensible points I make.

That's bullying isn't it?

That makes us all quits then.

See you later.

It's been an education.

Also (just to prove that I can be a good little girl) not many ever fill their stadiums to capacity due to segregation. Know it all enough for you?

Ponder this simple equation:
20,000@ £30 or 30,000@ £20-which would bring home the most profitable regular return, and would be best for Saints AND Fans?