[Archived] Season Tickets 2012/13

[riggers77]

Everyone sat around me at Ewood seems to be renewing (though everyone did have some kind of "I don't know why, we must be nuts" comment). Same with the people I tend to go to away games with (though I suspect that if the club ceased to exist weekend meet ups would still happen, probably in Wem).

Anyway. Those who want to boycott, but simply can't bring themselves to miss games, take up the US tradition of paper bag boycotts! Clicky Linky

Edit - Seems somebody has already cornered my potential market - http://www.paperbagfan.com/

Madness utter madness for renewing it is doing more harm than good

[Josh]

Personally I won't be renewing. This season has made me fall out of love with the game of football.. I used to watch it on tv (other teams) because I enjoyed it, now I just watch it for the sake of watching it

[roverandout]

even if it is 6000, its still not a great deal

[Turkish Delight]

We'll probably still end up with 15000 turning up all season. Sheer idiocy, not enough thought given to the loyalty question. Definitely more harm than good in buying a season ticket. Even if you are only going with the aim of abusing Kean, what's the point? He's not going anywhere and if you don't like it your wrong. More of the same bulls***t, back-tracking, incompetence, lies and deceit, terrible results against lowly opposition and so on. And why would any supporter want the team of this hijacked club to do well anyway? It would only lead to opposition falling away. Then it would be years before they went. Bloody years

[Glenn]

Madness utter madness for renewing it is doing more harm than good

We'll probably still end up with 15000 turning up all season. Sheer idiocy, not enough thought given to the loyalty question. Definitely more harm than good in buying a season ticket. Even if you are only going with the aim of abusing Kean, what's the point? He's not going anywhere and if you don't like it your wrong. More of the same bulls***t, back-tracking, incompetence, lies and deceit, terrible results against lowly opposition and so on. And why would any supporter want the team of this hijacked club to do well anyway? It would only lead to opposition falling away. Then it would be years before they went. Bloody years

Tell that to all the Rovers departments that'll have their budget cuts and staff reduced. I *KNOW* that shouldn't be our concern, but I bet you the money to keep the BRIC open, the community schemes running, the BDSA mini bus running etc isn't going to come from India.

I've said it many many times before, in my opinion (given my understanding of both the family and Indian business culture in general) even if ZERO fans turn up, Venky's won't change tack, but cutting off one of the few supplies of income that goes directly into the club is going to end up hurting the wrong people.

I don't begrudge anyone choosing to put no more money into the club (hell, the product we're being offered is dire), but I sure as hell object to people implying I'm harming the club by choosing to do so!

I hate what's happening as much as anyone, I'd love to see the owners, manager and any other dark forces influencing the club for their own ends gone, but I don't what the club itself damaging any more when it can be avoided.

[AggyBlue]

I've said it many many times before, even if ZERO fans turn up, Venky's won't change tack,

Stop stating your opinion as fact.

Many fans totally disagree, myself included.

Todays Mirror seems to indicate it's our best weapon.

[Glenn]

Stop stating your opinion as fact.

Many fans totally disagree, myself included.

Fair point. Modified it now.

But I'm still confident this never, is, was or will be, about the money. They'll simply address lack of income by reducing spending.

(again, in my opinion, based on what I've learnt over many months) It's all about pride, especially pride amongst their own peer group. Those people don't know about leagues and positions, protests or incompetent managers, they just know they own a English Football team that's won the league and that's impressive. Whilst they still have that (and their peers don't pick up on the real stories) it doesn't matter if we're in the Champions League or the Unibond. Sure, us going bankrupt would be a big loss of face, so (in my opinion) they'll pump in just enough money to keep us afloat, but no more than needed (though using the academy as a footballer battery farm seems possible). That's (in my opinion .... getting tedious now isn't it) why they can say with confidence they won't sell, they have no need to. Even a club with no fans spiralling down the leagues would still serve it's purpose. It's why they (IMHO) won't even talk to potential buyers, it's (IMHO) not about the money, the small money they'd have to put into to stave off administration and run the club on the bare bones is more than worth it (IMHO) to be thought of as "that nice family that owns that English football team" at Pune social events.

So. How do we change that? Oddly, MG.Road partly has the answer. We embarrass them on their own turf. We make sure the very people they are trying to impress know exactly what's been going on and how they've mismanaged things. It's obvious from talking to Indian sports fans that THEY know how embarrassing they are, but the Raos peers are no more aware than my mum is of the goings on at Pune Warriors.

People like Kamy have the right idea, pulling in every media contact they've got to ensure this gets proper coverage in India and not just in the Pune equivalent of the News of the World, but in the actual journals their peer group is likely to read. Protests in Blackburn are never going to be heard, but Kean Out banners at the IPL cricket are much more likely to get noticed by people the Raos really don't want them to be noticed by. Work is already being done in this area (Kams got some live TV in India lined up tomorrow I believe and we've been helping set up numerous other interviews) but so much more could be done.

Of course what it really needs to for Venky's to be shown to be complicit in something truly globally scandalous and it only needs a single item in Kam's dossier to be proved (or Nick Harris to pull out an even bigger gem) and you never know what could happen.

But yeah, staying away from Ewood, just like them, that's gonna scare 'em into selling!

[Glenn]

Todays Mirror seems to indicate it's our best weapon.

Mrs Desai still backs Kean, but the reality of low season-ticket sales may bring home the fact that his unpopularity is going to cost her company dearly.

He's been unpopular for a long time now. PH pointed out to her a long time ago the damage his presence would do on ST sales. Is they cared about his popularity impacting incoming, they'd have canned his last season.

[AggyBlue]

So. How do we change that? Oddly, MG.Road partly has the answer. We embarrass them on their own turf. We make sure the very people they are trying to impress know exactly what's been going on and how they've mismanaged things.

That's something I posted on here months ago.

I think an empty Ewood for the first few games next season would cause maximum embarrassment and humiliation for the Venky's if we ensured the news was given as much coverage as possible, especially in India.

Their pride would take a huge hit.

[Glenn]

I think an empty Ewood for the first few games next season would cause maximum embarrassment and humiliation for the Venky's if we ensured the news was given as much coverage as possible, especially in India.

Their pride would take a huge hit.

Whilst I appreciate what you mean, I imagine "Championship club in small town has record low ST sales" isn't going to make the news in the UK let alone India.To hit the target from now on, I feel it's got to be via the business pages or international news, not the sports pages.

[AggyBlue]

Whilst I appreciate what you mean, I imagine "Championship club in small town has record low ST sales" isn't going to make the news in the UK let alone India.To hit the target from now on, I feel it's got to be via the business pages or international news, not the sports pages.

My last words are - every little helps and every option should be explored

[Majiball]

[Glenn]

My last words are - every little helps and every option should be explored

Oh, I agree, even I took time to consider the consequences of renewing and decided not doing wouldn't make a difference, doing so may at least help the club a bit. I may be wrong. But I didn't do it out of blind loyalty

[Exiled in Toronto]

Fair point. Modified it now.

But I'm still confident this never, is, was or will be, about the money. They'll simply address lack of income by reducing spending.

(again, in my opinion, based on what I've learnt over many months) It's all about pride, especially pride amongst their own peer group. Those people don't know about leagues and positions, protests or incompetent managers, they just know they own a English Football team that's won the league and that's impressive. Whilst they still have that (and their peers don't pick up on the real stories) it doesn't matter if we're in the Champions League or the Unibond. Sure, us going bankrupt would be a big loss of face, so (in my opinion) they'll pump in just enough money to keep us afloat, but no more than needed (though using the academy as a footballer battery farm seems possible). That's (in my opinion .... getting tedious now isn't it) why they can say with confidence they won't sell, they have no need to. Even a club with no fans spiralling down the leagues would still serve it's purpose. It's why they (IMHO) won't even talk to potential buyers, it's (IMHO) not about the money, the small money they'd have to put into to stave off administration and run the club on the bare bones is more than worth it (IMHO) to be thought of as "that nice family that owns that English football team" at Pune social events.

So. How do we change that? Oddly, MG.Road partly has the answer. We embarrass them on their own turf. We make sure the very people they are trying to impress know exactly what's been going on and how they've mismanaged things. It's obvious from talking to Indian sports fans that THEY know how embarrassing they are, but the Raos peers are no more aware than my mum is of the goings on at Pune Warriors.

People like Kamy have the right idea, pulling in every media contact they've got to ensure this gets proper coverage in India and not just in the Pune equivalent of the News of the World, but in the actual journals their peer group is likely to read. Protests in Blackburn are never going to be heard, but Kean Out banners at the IPL cricket are much more likely to get noticed by people the Raos really don't want them to be noticed by. Work is already being done in this area (Kams got some live TV in India lined up tomorrow I believe and we've been helping set up numerous other interviews) but so much more could be done.

Of course what it really needs to for Venky's to be shown to be complicit in something truly globally scandalous and it only needs a single item in Kam's dossier to be proved (or Nick Harris to pull out an even bigger gem) and you never know what could happen.

But yeah, staying away from Ewood, just like them, that's gonna scare 'em into selling!

I very much agree with this. Let's face it, nothing that happens next season at the ground or marching from the Brown Cow isn't going to make the news anywhere. The combination of relegation, the chicken on the pitch and the Hunt episode has dramatically shifted the debate. The Raos have been forced to face the Indian press; but the moment is now, in a week's time it'll be gone unless the likes of Kamy and Insider are able to turn up the heat with more juicy revelations. Even I'm not very bothered how many season tickets we've sold by the middle of May,

[Paul]

There are quite a number who have, and continue to, criticise those who have renewed. If your personal non-renewal is a protest against the Raos you must consider the reasons for their original purchase - brand building through the medium of TV.

The main PL exposure is via Sky TV, a company effectively owned and run by a man deemed unfit, by Parliamentary Committee, to run an international company. I have never purchased Sky TV and rarely watch games on Sky as I refuse to support the power driven organisation Murdoch owns. Through it's disturbing influence on what was once our game TV money has contributed to Rovers downfall.

Anyone who continues to subscribe to Sky TV will indirectly, via the parachute payments, support the Raos for the next four years. If you have vowed never to give money directly to the club while the Raos remain owners / Kean is manager I ask you to cancel your Sky subscription, return your Sky box and refuse to visit any premises showing live football - you should inform the landlord / owner of your protest as he / she will wish to know why you no longer support the business.

The Raos will "earn" £48m via our football club's parachute payments over the next four years. Every Rovers supporter who subscribes to Sky or watches Sky, whether an ST holder or walk-on fan or stayaway, will contribute to a fund providing the Raos with a far, far greater income than season tickets. Anyone not prepared to take this action is hardly in a position to criticise those who directly support the club via STs or match day tickets.

Easy isn't it?

[stuwilky]

So, Im harming my club. Im also an idiot.

Magnificent mornings reading.

[Paul]

So, Im harming my club. Im also an idiot.

Magnificent mornings reading.

Stu is that aimed at me? I haven't called anyone an idiot.

[Stuart]

Stu is that aimed at me? I haven't called anyone an idiot.

Turkish Delight's post?

[Paul]

Turkish Delight's post?

Ah thanks Stuart, missed that one after wading through pages and pages!

[Glenn]

So, Im harming my club. Im also an idiot.

Well, you're half right :D

[arbitro]

One aspect I don't think has been mentioned yet is the potential closing of any of the stands due to lack of season tickets sold in that area. With the cost cutting measures due soon I can't see them opening say the Family Stand and bearing the cost of turnstile operators, stewards and people in the kiosks if there is going to be hardly anybody there. Leeds did a similar thing and closed the upper tier of their main stand when they dropped into League One.

[Mercer]

There are quite a number who have, and continue to, criticise those who have renewed. If your personal non-renewal is a protest against the Raos you must consider the reasons for their original purchase - brand building through the medium of TV.

The main PL exposure is via Sky TV, a company effectively owned and run by a man deemed unfit, by Parliamentary Committee, to run an international company. I have never purchased Sky TV and rarely watch games on Sky as I refuse to support the power driven organisation Murdoch owns. Through it's disturbing influence on what was once our game TV money has contributed to Rovers downfall.

Anyone who continues to subscribe to Sky TV will indirectly, via the parachute payments, support the Raos for the next four years. If you have vowed never to give money directly to the club while the Raos remain owners / Kean is manager I ask you to cancel your Sky subscription, return your Sky box and refuse to visit any premises showing live football - you should inform the landlord / owner of your protest as he / she will wish to know why you no longer support the

business.

The Raos will "earn" £48m via our football club's parachute payments over the next four years. Every Rovers supporter who subscribes to Sky or watches Sky, whether an ST holder or walk-on fan or stayaway, will contribute to a fund providing the Raos with a far, far greater income than season tickets. Anyone not prepared to take this action is hardly in a position to criticise those who directly support the club via STs or match day tickets.

Easy isn't it?

You are absolutely wrong, again.

If 10,000 Rovers' supporters cancel Sky, it will not affect Sky payments to Rovers one iota and will be of no concern to Venky's. This income is FIXED.

If 10,000 Rovers' supporters don't renew their seaston tickets, it will REDUCE income to the club and provide acute embarrassment with a stadium only one third full. This income is VARIABLE.

Not exactly rocket science - simple isn't it !

[Mercer]

I have cancelled my season ticket within the 14 day cooling off period. I am only going to go to away matches next season whilst that bafoon is the manager and those idiots are the owners. If they sacked Kean next week and installed a decent replacement then I will buy tickets on match days, until then I am not stepping foot into Ewood again.

Well it seems current sales are anywhere in the 3,000 to 6,000 range.

What is for sure, IMO, is that there will be hundreds of 'Ralfinhos' !

[den]

Trying to make judgements about the rights or wrongs of renewing, including what the people not renewing are trying to achieve, is all rather pointless. Personally, I'm not boycotting the club, or trying to achieve anything by not renewing. It's quite simple - I see the Raos absolutely destroying the club, even to the extent of them possibly taking us into administration.

I just wont back them in any way - either with cash or with my presence. If they are going to go down that route, they'll do it without me. I guess many people see it that way. Saying non renewers are trying to achieve anything at all is as insulting [wrong word, I know] as it is accusing people who have renewed as idiots.

Season ticket sales will plummet, that's a fact and no-one outside the Raos can do anything at all about it.

[Paul]

You are absolutely wrong, again.

If 10,000 Rovers' supporters cancel Sky, it will not affect Sky payments to Rovers one iota and will be of no concern to Venky's. This income is FIXED.

If 10,000 Rovers' supporters don't renew their seaston tickets, it will REDUCE income to the club and provide acute embarrassment with a stadium only one third full. This income is VARIABLE.

Not exactly rocket science - simple isn't it !

With respect I am not wrong.

Firstly I did not suggest 10,000 (or any other number) of Rovers supporters cancelling Sky would in any way reduce the payments from Sky via the PL parachute payments. What I wrote was "Anyone who continues to subscribe to Sky TV will indirectly, via the parachute payments support the Raos for the next four years." The subscription will contribute to the fund of money used to make parachute and other payments to both PL and ex PL, clubs. I did not say cancelling your subscription will reduce the sum of money paid to Rovers. The point is if a supporter objects to directly supporting the Raos through ST purchase the same supporter should consider how a part of the subscription is used by Sky.

Clearly if 10,000 fans do not renew their STs it will reduce club income which is also clearly VARIABLE according to the number of STs sold. I would not dispute this.

I have asked you before not to misrepresent what I have said and I'd repeat the request. The basic arguement is no different from those who do not purchase Nestle products due to Nestle's sale of breast milk susbstitues in the third world or those who chose to boycott South African products in the days of apartheid (two pick just a couple of examples my household does and did support). By supporting companies/ regimes who have policies one objects to directly funds their activities. Therefore if Sky, via the PL, makes payment to Rovers those monies are supporting the Raos activity to which so many object. It s a perfectly rational arguement but perhaps one which many find difficult to put into practice.