[Archived] Season Tickets 09/10

[Ritchie]

Thank you.

Your peripheral vision is astounding at times. You should remove the blinkers now and again to see the bigger picture.

Oh, and I care about the casual walk on fan that aren't regulars. One day they may become season ticket holders.

The bigger picture, as you like to call it, is a few people who rarely set foot inside Ewood will find they can't get a ticket for the Burnley game. The club will make sure those who visit Ewood on a regular basis get to see the game. I've already pointed out to one of my lads, who held an ST for 9 years, that he may not get a ticket as there will be people ahead of him in the queue.

There isn't a problem until the club sell more than 23,000 season tickets. If that happens I'm certain the club will make sure arrangements are made to ensure all the regulars get in.

And it would be bloody brilliant if the club sold that amount!

And it would be a big 'UP YOURS!' to the external and internal detractors of this football club.

[eddiewac]

There seems to be a bit of snobbery from season ticket holders assuming everyone that doesnt have a season ticket is not a "proper" fan, theres a good chance I wont be able to get a ticket for the game by the looks of things, despite having had a season ticket from 5 until I went to uni, now I can only get to maybe 5 or so a year and a few away games, I could get a darwen end season ticket and leave my seat empty for the rest of the games but if everyone did that it would defeat the purpose of trying to get ewood full, maybe I could get a season ticket, just so that I can go to the Burnley game like a lot of other people are no doubt doing

[AggyBlue]

There isn't a problem until the club sell more than 23,000 season tickets. If that happens I'm certain the club will make sure arrangements are made to ensure all the regulars get in.

The club will have to limit season ticket holders to 23000. No other way around it.

[LeftWinger]

Me and the missus got season tickets in the Jack Walker upper on Saturday afternoon. I’ve not had a season ticket in about 6 years and she is a United fan – but I’m slowly winning her over. We were told that there was nothing left in the Blackburn End and the only seats together in the Riverside were on the first couple of rows or with a restricted view. The only ones available in the lower tier of the Jack Walker were on the first couple of rows and if you wanted to be towards the Blackburn End in the upper tier, you had to be on about row 20 out of 26. We eventually settled on seats towards the Darwen End (apart half way between half way and the goal) on row 15. I felt it was worth paying the extra £100 each to get a seat that wasn’t in the rain or behind a post - £299 is still excellent value. Her cousin has just renewed his Everton season ticket and that cost £501!

The point I’m trying to make is that they must be selling very well to have such limited availability. I thought the claim your old seat deadline had gone – so does that mean it’s just a free-for-all for the best seats?

[gumboots]

There seems to be a bit of snobbery from season ticket holders assuming everyone that doesnt have a season ticket is not a "proper" fan, theres a good chance I wont be able to get a ticket for the game by the looks of things, despite having had a season ticket from 5 until I went to uni, now I can only get to maybe 5 or so a year and a few away games, I could get a darwen end season ticket and leave my seat empty for the rest of the games but if everyone did that it would defeat the purpose of trying to get ewood full, maybe I could get a season ticket, just so that I can go to the Burnley game like a lot of other people are no doubt doing

to be honest @ 149 or whatever it is you wouldn't need to attend much more than 5 games to be in profit. You'd be able to give your ticket to someone else (and possibly make a bit back on it) for the other games so your seat wasn't left empty. It's what we've done with our son's.

[Paul]

There seems to be a bit of snobbery from season ticket holders assuming everyone that doesnt have a season ticket is not a "proper" fan, theres a good chance I wont be able to get a ticket for the game by the looks of things, despite having had a season ticket from 5 until I went to uni, now I can only get to maybe 5 or so a year and a few away games, I could get a darwen end season ticket and leave my seat empty for the rest of the games but if everyone did that it would defeat the purpose of trying to get ewood full, maybe I could get a season ticket, just so that I can go to the Burnley game like a lot of other people are no doubt doing

I'd class you as a regular and certainly one with a decent chance of a ticket for most matches.

My view is the people who are going to make a lot of noise about Burnley tickets are the ones who only want to see that game and probably haven't been on Ewood since the last time we played them. IF there is a problem it is those people who should miss out.

[JAL]

Two guys who have steered the club through troubled waters and given us the cheapest tickets in the Premier League and still they get stick from some of the fans. I find it totally unbelieveable. Once Burnley were promoted it was obvious that they would be one of the four games that wouldn't be included in the Darwen End season ticket for two very good reasons.

Firstly, the club have spent a great deal time and effort in trying to build the Rovers as a family club. They have gone out of their way to market tickets for families to return to football. Therefore they are not going to risk undermining this by allowing Burnley and Rovers fans to share the same stand. They have a responsiblity to safeguard the safety of their customers and if trouble kicked off they would be held directly responsible.

Secondly, we have the cheapest tickets in the Premier League. However, Blackburn Rovers is a business and money needs to be made somewhere. Cheap season tickets have meant higher matchday prices so that the club can make money from the away fans - like every other club in the Premier League does. Therefore, selling out the Darwen End for four games is essential to compensate for the cheap season tickets. Manchester United, Liverpool, Burnley and I suspect Manchester City would be games that would maximise income.

Far from attacking Tom Finn and John Williams I would have thought that most fans would congratulate them for what seems an excellent piece of business that gives the fans cheap season tickets.

Great stuff about the ticket pricing policy, highly commendable but then its tainted by giving the Darwen end to Burnley fans.

Completely out of touch with fans feelings towards Burnley fans and allowing far too many into Ewood just to please some transparent notion that both sets of fans cant be seated in the same end -poppycock!.

The amount of police and policing costs were outrageous last time around, highly expensive, a drain on other community resources and a complete distraction for them in serving their communities in the manner that they should have been doing rather than being at a football match just to satisfy two directors.

They have time to redeem themselves by getting a quality centre forward and midfielder in and over turning such ridiculous decision that Burnley fans will occupy the whole of the Darwen end by doing so you dilute home advantage for this they are accountable.

[gumboots]

Great stuff about the ticket pricing policy, highly commendable but then its tainted by giving the Darwen end to Burnley fans.

Completely out of touch with fans feelings towards Burnley fans and allowing far too many into Ewood just to please some transparent notion that both sets of fans cant be seated in the same end -poppycock!.

The amount of police and policing costs were outrageous last time around, highly expensive, a drain on other community resources and a complete distraction for them in serving their communities in the manner that they should have been doing rather than being at a football match just to satisfy two directors.

They have time to redeem themselves by getting a quality centre forward and midfielder in and over turning such ridiculous decision that Burnley fans will occupy the whole of the Darwen end by doing so you dilute home advantage for this they are accountable.

I think that in your venom towards the chairman and secretary you are largely on your own here. Yes, for some fans the Burnley ticketing is always going to be an issue. (Frankly to me it's just another game because I hate all sides who play against us, but that's another issue and one i don't want to argue with those who have been brought up following Rovers over) However, you seem to be letting one issue that is by no means decided and is largely out of the club's control, cloud your judgement of all the good work JW and TF have done. Where would the club get better servants?

[Hughesy]

Enough guessing guys and girls.

Here is an update on ticket sales iv just got.

Current ST's sold - 16,000 - Compared to 14k total last season.

% of New season ticket holders - Between 20-25%

No still to renew - Around 1000

No of Darwen Enders so far - 400 (The club want at least a couple of thousand in here - so we need to push it to friends & family as much as possible)

[Gav]

Whilst discussions have not yet taken place with Burnley concerning the fixture at Turf Moor, we would anticipate allocation of the whole of the Cricket Field Stand for the use of our fans as has occurred at previous games at Turf Moor.

Real mixed messages about this one SG.

Almost all the season tickets in the cricket field stand have gone now, and I know one person when buying was told that they'll NOT be moved for any league match this season, be it Blackburn Rovers or Manchester United.

Read into that what you will.

[unluckymorton]

There seems to be a bit of snobbery from season ticket holders assuming everyone that doesnt have a season ticket is not a "proper" fan, theres a good chance I wont be able to get a ticket for the game by the looks of things, despite having had a season ticket from 5 until I went to uni, now I can only get to maybe 5 or so a year and a few away games, I could get a darwen end season ticket and leave my seat empty for the rest of the games but if everyone did that it would defeat the purpose of trying to get ewood full, maybe I could get a season ticket, just so that I can go to the Burnley game like a lot of other people are no doubt doing

You think people are buying a season ticket just to go to the dingle game? Are you mad?

It's going to be difficult to get tickets for some games, so if you aint got a full season ticket your going to struggle. I've never heard of anyone complaining about ticket availability until this season. It's ridiculous.

[blue phil]

There isn't a problem until the club sell more than 23,000 season tickets. If that happens I'm certain the club will make sure arrangements are made to ensure all the regulars get in.

This seems to be implying that only the season ticket holders count ! What about those who work shifts , are at uni , or simply don't want to commit themselves to the season ticket - even at our prices . I know one or two who fall into this category and I would certainly put them in the queue ahead of the 7,000 dingles .

In fact I'd put the most wavering part timer ever before them in the queue - even our own Philipl should he feel inclined to make the trip

Now it may be that we can't sell 23000 tickets to home fans in which case it makes sense to sell to Burnley . But surely the common sense approach is to give them a provisional amount and see how it goes ; it cannot be beyond the police and the club to organise this .

If reports are correct we could have 19000 season ticket holders - this only leaves 4000 "other". Rovers if we donate 7000 to the opposition .

I feel we are being overly generous to away fans and it should be remembered that the volume of support is most definitely worth a point or two over the season and that principle applies to away support . It is madness to give any away team tickets that could be used by our own fans and therefore erode our own support purely for financial reasons . It could prove to counterproductive .

As for the safety aspects , I mentioned earlier that it is perfectly feasible to bus Burnley fans in early and away late . Nobody has come up with a reason why this cannot be done safely and efficiently .

edit ......Apologies - I might have misconstrued your point , Paul , on reflection . Disregard the quoted bit

[Paul Mellelieu]

Enough guessing guys and girls.

Here is an update on ticket sales iv just got.

Current ST's sold - 16,000 - Compared to 14k total last season.

Was that 14k, the total season ticket sales last year, or the number at this point?

Ta.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

No of Darwen Enders so far - 400 (The club want at least a couple of thousand in here - so we need to push it to friends & family as much as possible)

The reality is - tickets are for unreserved seating, and with sales slowish at the moment - there is no big push to purchase until the last minute.

Having missed out on a BBE ST - I am sitting tight for a little longer before purchasing.

Heard (or seen) very little in the way of advertising on local radio etc. (other than st pack)

[Paul]

edit ......Apologies - I might have misconstrued your point , Paul , on reflection . Disregard the quoted bit

Well I certainly hope so phil - thank you.

My view is this. The club know who the regular fans are - ST holders, the soon to be created 15 gamers, and those who buy on a regular basis. Now regular is hard to define, one match a season is regular! If demand for the Burnley game is enormous I'd guess there will be a structure of some sort;

1st - the 15 gamers

2nd - 10+ per season

3rd - 5+ per season

You get my drift?

If the ST sales are close to Nirvana - 23000 which is the whole ground bar the DE - that leaves Rovers needing to leave 3000 (upper DE) for ANY away following plus 1500 (lower DE) (5%) for walk ons. This means the club could sell 3500 in the DE to 15 gamers and comply with ALL the PL requirements. I would suggest if demand is strong enough Finn and Williams will happily sell all those Darwen End seats and then not move them for the magical four games. That leaves the Burnley game as a problem because of the potential crowd control issue. Now I'm not close to the Rovers / Burnley rivalry in the manner people suggest it exists - i.e the potential for violence. It seems there are two possibilities here; either the clubs and authorities are certain of their ability to control any potential hooliganism (you've said yourself it shouldn' be beyond the wit of Lancashire police and I agree) OR the Burnley support would have to be limited to a controlable number. The precedent for this, albeit in the FL, is the recent Leeds / Milwall play-off match. If two professional clubs and Lancashire ploice can't organise the safe arrival of 1000 football fans you have to ask what they are capable of.

This is not a great problem and the club can't allow it's ticket sales to be dictated by what could be a one season wonder. If the opportunity to sell an unprecedented number of STs plus large numbers of 15 gamers arises the club will have to grasp it with both hands. It could be the best opportunity Rovers have of increasing the home support in a generation. This is why I don't see a real problem with the Burnley game. If I have thought of this I'm certain JW / TF have

[Ossydave]

The reality is - tickets are for unreserved seating, and with sales slowish at the moment - there is no big push to purchase until the last minute.

My thoughts exactly.

I bought tickets though the 3 for £20 deal last year, about 3 days before the first game the Darwen end appeared half empty on the online sales thing.

[Paul]

The reality is - tickets are for unreserved seating, and with sales slowish at the moment - there is no big push to purchase until the last minute.

Having missed out on a BBE ST - I am sitting tight for a little longer before purchasing.

Heard (or seen) very little in the way of advertising on local radio etc. (other than st pack)

We have the same situation. My lad announced a friend wants an ST in the BBE and I was asked to organise this so they could sit together. I was told about this on June 30th, so I needed to renew and buy a new one!!!! Needless to say the new one and two together is close to impossible. I renewed his existing seat and I think it likely they'll eventually chose to go in the DE on the 15 game deal. I know they are waiting to see how sales go as they don't want to sit in an empty stand - which of course is the problem of getting sales started.

[Paul Mellelieu]

First things first; the club has been brilliant on ticket prices, but I wonder if there was an alternative, which could be used for future seasons.

How about making the D/E lower the same price as the B/E and Riverside for a full season, but keep the unreserved seating. A target of half the lower stand would be realistic, leaving the four clubs with the big followings to split the lower. Sure it might mean some gaps elsewhere in the ground, but a smallish dip in revenue would be off-set with a better atmosphere and better performances, and points.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Real mixed messages about this one SG.

Almost all the season tickets in the cricket field stand have gone now, and I know one person when buying was told that they'll NOT be moved for any league match this season, be it Blackburn Rovers or Manchester United.

Read into that what you will.

Those qouted comments were those of an uncertain sounding Tom Finn Gav.I have to agree with you and say we WILL be shafted with the ticket allocation for Turd moor.

HATE THIS!

[unsall]

Was that 14k, the total season ticket sales last year, or the number at this point?

Ta.

From a pretty reliable source,latest count at weekend was 19500,JW and crew are very happy!!!!!!!!!!

[philipl]

I think that is what is now expected to be the figure by 15 August, not what is actually sold.

Hope you are right and I am wrong though.

[imy9]

Nearly 20K is amazing- it seems quite clearly that the fans are voting with their feet!

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

From a pretty reliable source,latest count at weekend was 19500,JW and crew are very happy!!!!!!!!!!

Quite a difference in numbers there between you and Hughsey......you two want to flip a coin!!

[den]

From a pretty reliable source,latest count at weekend was 19500,JW and crew are very happy!!!!!!!!!!

That would be absolutely fantastic.

How sure are you, without giving names obviously, that that is an accurate figure?

[JAL]

I think that in your venom towards the chairman and secretary you are largely on your own here. Yes, for some fans the Burnley ticketing is always going to be an issue. (Frankly to me it's just another game because I hate all sides who play against us, but that's another issue and one i don't want to argue with those who have been brought up following Rovers over) However, you seem to be letting one issue that is by no means decided and is largely out of the club's control, cloud your judgement of all the good work JW and TF have done. Where would the club get better servants?

Theres quite a few lads who have expressed their disappointment to me about giving the Darwen end over to Burnley fans, then there are the others who think great the more the merrier to fight with.

Greatly restricting the claret numbers solves both problems to me, but hey after appointing Ince, then Allardyce, when they could have easily appointed no management skills whatsoever Alan Shearer doesnt point to me as sound collective reasoning from these two gentlemen and the rest of the board for that matter. They deserve a bit of flak.

To have overseen then rubber stamped the approval of Robbie Fowler last season and now trialing Vieri simply makes my blood boil gumboots.