Another season of empty seats then

Its exactly the 'casual' fans that the club needs to build a sustainable future on

If not we will just stagnate on 8k or so season ticket holders

And that isn't any good for anyone
Spot on, now is the time, the place is bouncing and the ground is a bloody great place to be, the good times don't last forever and in the list of crimes committed by the Oystons, losing out on new support during 2009-2012 was one of the worst.
 
Spot on, now is the time, the place is bouncing and the ground is a bloody great place to be, the good times don't last forever and in the list of crimes committed by the Oystons, losing out on new support during 2009-2012 was one of the worst.
Yep

I think all these years of having the Oystons and their anti fan measures have brainwashed people into thinking its normal 🤔

Now is the time for the club to do all they can to increase our core support

And unfortunately for what every reason they have got the pricing structure wrong again
 
Its exactly the 'casual' fans that the club needs to build a sustainable future on

If not we will just stagnate on 8k or so season ticket holders

And that isn't any good for anyone

As for the 18-21 price point i would have thought that many in that age range are still in education and not working for a living 🤔
Like I just responded to Lytham, the casual fans can show commitment and make savings by joining the membership scheme. If they won’t, they’re not going to be committed and will have zero impact on increasing our fan base.

I want to see the fanbase grow, but it’s a fact that most new fans are introduced by family or friends. We have limited scope to attract completely new fans, due to the size of the town and geographic location.

You’ll also find that most 16+ are out trying to earn a few quid, even when in FT education. There are plenty of jobs out there. Every lad in my team is in FT education, and all of them have small jobs, even though financially they are supported at home.
 
For me, the best way to grow the fanbase is by getting into local schools and junior football. I’m sure we do a lot of this already, giving away tickets to hook kids. A free ticket for each child and accompanying adult.
 
Like I just responded to Lytham, the casual fans can show commitment and make savings by joining the membership scheme. If they won’t, they’re not going to be committed and will have zero impact on increasing our fan base.

I want to see the fanbase grow, but it’s a fact that most new fans are introduced by family or friends. We have limited scope to attract completely new fans, due to the size of the town and geographic location.

You’ll also find that most 16+ are out trying to earn a few quid, even when in FT education. There are plenty of jobs out there. Every lad in my team is in FT education, and all of them have small jobs, even though financially they are supported at home.
How do you know they aren't committed?

I know you're not from Blackpool but Blackpool is a holiday town, its seasonal thousands of people work weekends

You can still be a committed fan if you don't attend every match

You are making some right assumptions on this thread
 
How do you know they aren't committed?

I know you're not from Blackpool but Blackpool is a holiday town, its seasonal thousands of people work weekends

You can still be a committed fan if you don't attend every match

You are making some right assumptions on this thread
Phil, if there is any hint of commitment to being a regular fan, they will buy a membership. And I’m not saying every match. The membership cost is recovered in 3 discounted match tickets. If they can’t do 3 games in a season then really, they are not going to feature in business planning.

Aside from enabling the club to plan ahead, ST’s enable the club to minimise expenditure. It requires more manpower and money to deal with the administration of single ticket purchases. Naturally, the club wants to maximise ST sales, but they are dangling a carrot tor fans who can’t buy a ST.

I’m not making any assumptions. You are the one making assumptions that the pricing structure won’t work.
 
That is legit, nothing against if you’ve bigger attendances than us, just pointing out the home attendances was wrong.
Yeah I have pointed that out, but the gazette even ran with the wrong numbers.

Just interesting that it seems we were actually ahead on away numbers. Any side can point to games at the right time but we also played Blackburn as a dead rubber, would have taken way more, Barnsley loads going and they bottled the game during that period everyone but us seemed to cancel games, ended up played on a weeknight with far less there.

Also a little bit further and more costly, less time available for pool fans.

But again not huge amounts in it and you have been in the division a while so not exactly all new grounds.

I do wonder if away attendances will be down next season, given the cost of petrol now and also some clubs charging more for match tickets.... 🙄
 
Phil, if there is any hint of commitment to being a regular fan, they will buy a membership. And I’m not saying every match. The membership cost is recovered in 3 discounted match tickets. If they can’t do 3 games in a season then really, they are not going to feature in business planning.

Aside from enabling the club to plan ahead, ST’s enable the club to minimise expenditure. It requires more manpower and money to deal with the administration of single ticket purchases. Naturally, the club wants to maximise ST sales, but they are dangling a carrot tor fans who can’t buy a ST.

I’m not making any assumptions. You are the one making assumptions that the pricing structure won’t work.
It won't work

The only way our crowds will increase this season is if we give away fans more tickets

Surely no Blackpool fan wants 4k away fans week in week out
 
Yeah I have pointed that out, but the gazette even ran with the wrong numbers.

Just interesting that it seems we were actually ahead on away numbers. Any side can point to games at the right time but we also played Blackburn as a dead rubber, would have taken way more, Barnsley loads going and they bottled the game during that period everyone but us seemed to cancel games, ended up played on a weeknight with far less there.

Also a little bit further and more costly, less time available for pool fans.

But again not huge amounts in it and you have been in the division a while so not exactly all new grounds.

I do wonder if away attendances will be down next season, given the cost of petrol now and also some clubs charging more for match tickets.... 🙄
ours was over 200 down on away from previous years, we was bloody awful under McAvoy. Next season will be intresting for both of us.
 
It won't work

The only way our crowds will increase this season is if we give away fans more tickets

Surely no Blackpool fan wants 4k away fans week in week out
Agree Phil, but the reality is that we only have in the region of 11k home fans. As much as I’d like us to have 13k and more, it’s going to be slow progress to increase the fanbase. Success on the pitch obviously helps, but that only reinforces what I’ve said about it not being about pricing. When the team is doing well, fans find the cash on a regular basis. In common with almost all clubs that don’t fill current capacity, we have a high number of fair weather fans.

I like what @BFC_BFC_BFC suggests re the trust helping.
 
Agree Phil, but the reality is that we only have in the region of 11k home fans. As much as I’d like us to have 13k and more, it’s going to be slow progress to increase the fanbase. Success on the pitch obviously helps, but that only reinforces what I’ve said about it not being about pricing. When the team is doing well, fans find the cash on a regular basis. In common with almost all clubs that don’t fill current capacity, we have a high number of fair weather fans.

I like what @BFC_BFC_BFC suggests re the trust helping.
We are just as likely to have 7-8k home fans next season as we are 13-14k. Relegation also a possibility. Those are the facts. All I read on this thread is 'well, if the team start doing well' etc but what if they start getting humped every week? Can happen, we've seen glimpses of it this season.
 
We are just as likely to have 7-8k home fans next season as we are 13-14k. Relegation also a possibility. Those are the facts. All I read on this thread is 'well, if the team start doing well' etc but what if they start getting humped every week? Can happen, we've seen glimpses of it this season.
Then hopefully you’ve banked as many Season Ticket sales and early memberships to a) Create a stable income for a difficult season and b) incentivise people to stick with it regardless.

And of course, Away sales are not affected by our performances.

So perhaps this pricing policy is actually much more resilient to the ups and downs than a bargain bucket approach…. Notwithstanding that the club can reduce match prices at any point if needed.
 
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Then hopefully you’ve banked as many Season Ticket sales and early memberships to a) Create a stable income for a difficult season and b) incentivise people to stick with it regardless.

And of course, Away sakes are not affected by our performances.

So perhaps this pricing policy is actually much more resilient to the ups and downs than a bargain bucket approach…. Notwithstanding that the club can reduce match prices at any point if needed.
Hopefully being the key word but as we all know, it's no fun lumping your arse down to BR week after week watching shit. All I'm saying is the proposed approach has the potential to backfire. Already as a minimum it has created a small amount of ill feeling and we aren't even out of May yet.
 
Does anyone actually know the rest of the championship pricing structure at other clubs ?
 
Hopefully being the key word but as we all know, it's no fun lumping your arse down to BR week after week watching shit. All I'm saying is the proposed approach has the potential to backfire. Already as a minimum it has created a small amount of ill feeling and we aren't even out of May yet.
Any policy has the potential to backfire though. I mean cheap match tickets is a big gamble and will likely reduce ST sales. So much more of your already lower revenue becomes at risk to performances.
 
Then hopefully you’ve banked as many Season Ticket sales and early memberships to a) Create a stable income for a difficult season and b) incentivise people to stick with it regardless.

And of course, Away sales are not affected by our performances.

So perhaps this pricing policy is actually much more resilient to the ups and downs than a bargain bucket approach…. Notwithstanding that the club can reduce match prices at any point if needed.
You're making it sound like the club is expecting the team to do badly. 👍

It possibly is aware that that could well happen, given the policy of not investing much in the squad which they announced at the SDM. Banging up prices to mitigate against possible poor performance and a corresponding fall in ticket sales?
 
Any policy has the potential to backfire though. I mean cheap match tickets is a big gamble and will likely reduce ST sales. So much more of your already lower revenue becomes at risk to performances.
I don't think anyone is asking for cheap tickets, just the division average will do without the overcomplicated nonsense that is the proposal. Is it a case of people justifying their positions (club and fan groups) as it really shouldn't be this difficult? It feels like too much thought has gone into it.
 
The membership cost is recovered in 3 discounted match tickets. If they can’t do 3 games in a season then really, they are not going to feature in business planning.
If they CAN do 3 games they will be paying £30 per game plus booking fee. Do the maths. ;)

Three games will cost £96 = 32 per game
Five games will cost £150 = 30 per game
8 games is £231 = £28.88
10 games is £285 = 28.50

So it's nearly 30 quid a game for ten games.

Huge discrimination against non ST holders clearly.
 
You're making it sound like the club is expecting the team to do badly. 👍

It possibly is aware that that could well happen, given the policy of not investing much in the squad which they announced at the SDM. Banging up prices to mitigate against possible poor performance and a corresponding fall in ticket sales?
I’m simply saying that the argument made by ROT doesn’t stack up and that, in fact, the opposite is true.

It’s hardly rocket science that the Club would want to encourage as many people to buy ST’s and make revenue as secure / results as possible.
 
I’m simply saying that the argument made by ROT doesn’t stack up and that, in fact, the opposite is true.

It’s hardly rocket science that the Club would want to encourage as many people to buy ST’s and make revenue as secure / results as possible.
It's not rocket science and it's not the issue. The issue is about taking extreme measures by making everything else much more expensive, which screws over anybody who doesn't or can't buy a ST. And gives us the highest prices in the division. It's a conscious decision to piss off a section of its customers and drive them away, I think.
 
Hopefully being the key word but as we all know, it's no fun lumping your arse down to BR week after week watching shit. All I'm saying is the proposed approach has the potential to backfire. Already as a minimum it has created a small amount of ill feeling and we aren't even out of May yet.
Well it’s been dire for many of the 40 years I’ve been going, but that’s what being a fan is about. I don’t really care too much about fans who blow hot & cold, and it just reinforces the point that fair weather fans will be just that, whether the price of a ticket is £10 or £28.
 
If they CAN do 3 games they will be paying £30 per game plus booking fee. Do the maths. ;)

Three games will cost £96 = 32 per game
Five games will cost £150 = 30 per game
8 games is £231 = £28.88
10 games is £285 = 28.50

So it's nearly 30 quid a game for ten games.

Huge discrimination against non ST holders clearly.
Then it’s more economical to purchase a ST, even if you can’t make all the games. I have to miss the odd game, but it’s still cheaper than buying individual tickets. It’s not rocket science that ST will be the cheapest option.

The booking fee, do fans really expect this for free? Everywhere you pay this, because staff have to be paid and systems maintained.

It’s not discrimination, it’s a ridiculous expectation that the individual circumstances of fans should be factored in to a business plan.
 
I don't think anyone is asking for cheap tickets, just the division average will do without the overcomplicated nonsense that is the proposal. Is it a case of people justifying their positions (club and fan groups) as it really shouldn't be this difficult? It feels like too much thought has gone into it.
Well maybe folk on AVFTT are just over-thinking it too.

There’s a range of ticket options, so let’s just see what comes out of the other side of the mixer, rather than creating a whole load of imaginary outcomes that don’t actually exist.

Is there and option that suits you personally ?

If yes, then go for it, if no, then either let the Club know or just don’t bother going.

Not much else any of us can do really.
 
Well it’s been dire for many of the 40 years I’ve been going, but that’s what being a fan is about. I don’t really care too much about fans who blow hot & cold, and it just reinforces the point that fair weather fans will be just that, whether the price of a ticket is £10 or £28.
Thanks for the education about what being a fan is about. Would've struggled to understand it without that lol. Great contribution though, very insightful 👍🏻
 
Well maybe folk on AVFTT are just over-thinking it too.

There’s a range of ticket options, so let’s just see what comes out of the other side of the mixer, rather than creating a whole load of imaginary outcomes that don’t actually exist.

Is there and option that suits you personally ?

If yes, then go for it, if no, then either let the Club know or just don’t bother going.

Not much else any of us can do really.
Very true. Am only voicing an opinion because this site is so far removed from how the average person thinks and acts, it is scary sometimes.

Will get back to my Sunday.
 
Then it’s more economical to purchase a ST, even if you can’t make all the games. I have to miss the odd game, but it’s still cheaper than buying individual tickets. It’s not rocket science that ST will be the cheapest option.

The booking fee, do fans really expect this for free? Everywhere you pay this, because staff have to be paid and systems maintained.

It’s not discrimination, it’s a ridiculous expectation that the individual circumstances of fans should be factored in to a business plan.
It's hard to know where to start with that. Individual circumstances? You mean all non ST holders. So that's bollocks for a start.
 
It's not rocket science and it's not the issue. The issue is about taking extreme measures by making everything else much more expensive, which screws over anybody who doesn't or can't buy a ST. And gives us the highest prices in the division. It's a conscious decision to piss off a section of its customers and drive them away, I think.
I suppose the ‘issue’ is whatever you personally perceive it to be and thereby take issue with.

I don’t see the measures as ‘extreme’, though I do think the reaction to them (from some fans on here) has been a bit extreme.

I agree the price for Away Fans is at the higher end of the typical spectrum and I agree that the same could be said for anyone attending one or two games a season.

I’ve already said that I would have probably priced the tickets for members a bit lower, but it’s not something I’m going to get too het up about.

The reality is that the Club aren’t going to persist with a policy that sees them go backwards. So if it doesn’t work out, then it will change.
 
I suppose the ‘issue’ is whatever you personally perceive it to be and thereby take issue with.

I don’t see the measures as ‘extreme’, though I do think the reaction to them (from some fans on here) has been a bit extreme.

I agree the price for Away Fans is at the higher end of the typical spectrum and I agree that the same could be said for anyone attending one or two games a season.

I’ve already said that I would have probably priced the tickets for members a bit lower, but it’s not something I’m going to get too het up about.

The reality is that the Club aren’t going to persist with a policy that sees them go backwards. So if it doesn’t work out, then it will change.
It's high for home fans as well as away fans. See my average price per game thread.
 
It's hard to know where to start with that. Individual circumstances? You mean all non ST holders. So that's bollocks for a start.
No, I’m referring to the points made in this thread about why fans can’t buy a ST. The club is offering tickets at £16 a match, which is great value. However, for those unable to buy, it is also offering membership & discounted match day tickets. They can’t please everyone.
 
It's high for home fans as well as away fans. See my average price per game thread.
Yes, I’ve just said as much ..

Your example quotes £32 for home fans though, when the price is £30 (So you’ve added 10% onto the price that can be avoided can’t it?)
 
No, I’m referring to the points made in this thread about why fans can’t buy a ST. The club is offering tickets at £16 a match, which is great value. However, for those unable to buy, it is also offering membership & discounted match day tickets. They can’t please everyone.
They're only pleasing ST holders.
 
People calling this an own goal. Own goals are accidental, but this is a deliberate policy - they have some clever people on the board and will be well aware that £32 is going to mean hardly any purchases on matchday. It's designed to charge away fans more as they were regularly selling out their allocation, while also encouraging Blackpool fans to go down the season ticket route and pay up front. Not saying I agree with it at all, but a lot of people seem to think (judging by the posts) that the board haven't thought about it properly. I'd suggest they have.
So you end up paying £32 for every away game you attend. Those fantastic away supporters the club have been waxing lyrical about... Bit of a slap in the face to them.
And how many home games will away teams actually sell more than 2000??. Given night games and times of the year doubt we'll see less than half the home fixtures
This is an extremely difficult circle to square. I can see all sides of the argument.
If you are one off big game fan then you are only spending £32 or maybe £64 pee season.
If you are financially hard pressed then it's always going to be difficult to afford football over lifes priorities (food, rent etc). Any match day ticket price us going to be tough to justify.
For the slightly better off, but not able to afford a ST, and you'd like to get to half a dozen games then the membership option is a must which for 6 games + a membership is £28 per match, £168 per season.
But that's why a direct debit sort of scheme like that of Fleetwood or Bolton would sway more people to buy a season ticket. This £32 per game thing is ridiculous, I'm a season ticket holder and fortunately can afford to lump out three and a half hundred quid.
But for those less fortunate this is taking away what maybe there only luxury in life (football match). Well at the end of the day Simon Sadler is a business man and business men don't normally invest in something unless they can profit from it.
 
Not sure. I book on the phone and collect actual tickets on the day from the ticket office. Pay a £2 fee.
The reason I ask the question is that if every club do the same, then the ‘booking fee’ ought to be taken out of the equation when drawing any comparisons.
 
I know we don't build ticket policy around the absolute poorest in society but I saw this before from sky news...


Now the point is not about the people so poor they wouldn't be coming anyway, but those who may just have afforded to come before, who are now maybe having to scale down how many games they go to or stop completely.

Putting prices up does them no favours nor does it do us if they don't come.

Maybe they wouldn't anyway even if it hadn't gone up because of the times were in... but one thing costing us is having no payment plan.

Its a world of difference losing 35 quid a month or 370 all in one go to many.

As for the report sky got what they were looking for, not a balanced picture of the town but still...Still a part of it.

The point of this post is to say when we know how poor a town it is and the times were in, we know many are struggling, I do find the increases a bit unpalatable.
 
Does anyone actually know the rest of the championship pricing structure at other clubs ?
All I know is same as you away fans get charged the clubs cheapest price tickets.
Most have a tiered system where you pay more in a certain stand we only have middle of the West.

The Band system was problematic that's why correctly the club have introduced the membership scheme but totally the wrong price point.

We're going to be one of the dearest away days in the league!
 
If they CAN do 3 games they will be paying £30 per game plus booking fee. Do the maths. ;)

Three games will cost £96 = 32 per game
Five games will cost £150 = 30 per game
8 games is £231 = £28.88
10 games is £285 = 28.50

So it's nearly 30 quid a game for ten games.

Huge discrimination against non ST holders clearly.
Or you could look at it differently and say the ST price is dirt cheap I guess? Just saying🤣
 
Yep

I think all these years of having the Oystons and their anti fan measures have brainwashed people into thinking its normal 🤔

Now is the time for the club to do all they can to increase our core support

And unfortunately for what every reason they have got the pricing structure wrong again

Yes Phil, I totally agree with all you say about growing the support.

While I also agree with you in that more can be done with pricing and initiatives, I don't know the perfect price and I guess no matter what the club does with prices and schemes, they will never please all of the folk all of the time.
 
I suppose the ‘issue’ is whatever you personally perceive it to be and thereby take issue with.

I don’t see the measures as ‘extreme’, though I do think the reaction to them (from some fans on here) has been a bit extreme.

I agree the price for Away Fans is at the higher end of the typical spectrum and I agree that the same could be said for anyone attending one or two games a season.

I’ve already said that I would have probably priced the tickets for members a bit lower, but it’s not something I’m going to get too het up about.

The reality is that the Club aren’t going to persist with a policy that sees them go backwards. So if it doesn’t work out, then it will change.
But those attending one or two games a season are only spending £32/£64 per season. Why should I subsidise them when I'm spending x5 that?
This has been done death now and no amount of good ideas are going to change things.
Lets move on to thinking about all the reasons why are first signing is sh1t.
PS
I do think £32 is £2 too much but if we made it £30 would it really make that much difference?
 
But those attending one or two games a season are only spending £32/£64 per season. Why should I subsidise them when I'm spending x5 that?
This has been done death now and no amount of good ideas are going to change things.
Lets move on to thinking about all the reasons why are first signing is sh1t.
PS
I do think £32 is £2 too much but if we made it £30 would it really make that much difference?
I’m not sure what you mean by “why should you subsidise them. I don’t think I’ve suggested that you should have I ?

I’m not sure I really have strong views on this either way as I think it’s a tough one.

On the one hand, the club face increased costs, are investing heavy in infrastructure and want to maintain our championship status (and I value that and an happy to pay)

On the other hand, I recognise that we live in a deprived area, I feel Football should be as accessible to everyone in the community as practically possible and that not everyone is as fortunate as I am.
 
But those attending one or two games a season are only spending £32/£64 per season. Why should I subsidise them when I'm spending x5 that?
This has been done death now and no amount of good ideas are going to change things.
Lets move on to thinking about all the reasons why are first signing is sh1t.
PS
I do think £32 is £2 too much but if we made it £30 would it really make that much difference?
Why should away fans pay that much?
It makes us one of the dearest away days in the league for Blackpool in the North of England FFS.

Brilliant tell them we've got a training ground and new stand to pay for then what happens if the prices are recipicated for us?

Pay 24 for Nobbers and Blackburn this season stuff em they charged us 32 so they can have some of the same and we'll find a way round it as they did for the 20 last two home games.
 
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