[Archived] Season Tickets 2012/13

[Stuart]

I've just read the paper version, den. He's right, it's no-win for the fans.

I quite like his use of simile too!

[47er]

As far as I know that was the case, much lower levels of ST holders in 1960 when most people paid on the turnstile. The queue story was probably an apocryphal one but fans not getting tickets was true as was being able to get tickets from other sources.

Its true that every season-ticket holder got a Final ticket and those with "standing' season tickets had no grievance from that point of view.

What happened was that very few 'quality" seats were made available to season-ticket holders with (relatively) expensive seats and they found themselves with standing tickets as, indeed, they had at Maine Rd in the semi.

Too many of the best tickets were shared among the players, Directors and staff and sold on the black market.

Also, you stood as equal a chance of getting a ticket in a mail lottery if you never saw Rovers in your life as you did if you attended every game. You could say"serve you right for not having a season-ticket" but I assure you that isn't how fans felt at the time.

But there was so much else wrong, so much I can't be bothered with it but I'll give you one example.

About 3 or 4 days before Wembley I went down to Ewood to watch my heroes train----on 'Little Wembley" as it happens!

Only one first-team player turned up! He ran the session which consisted of junior players (Fred Pickering was one of them) and it will surprise no-one to learn that player was Ronnie Clayton.

The rest? Encamped in Woolworths as they were all week, trying to make some money out of it! This included selling their autographs for 6d each!

Pitiful eh?

[Beta Ray Bill]

I have no issue with anyone not renewing. It is their choice, and my choice was to renew.

When Nestle were taking over Rowntrees, I lived in York and boycotted all Nestle products as they were seen as likely to dismantle all the 'paternal' elements of the company. My boycott lasted a good number of years after the takeover was completed until I finally bought a Nestle Kit Kat in the late 90s.

As those who aren't renewing or boycotting completely, a few questions though. And I am honestly not trying to wind anyone up.

Will you complain when the Burnley away match is restricted to season ticket holders and say those who have attended 4 home games?

If we have a decent cup run (however unlikely) what will you do if restrictions are in place?

And ultimately, again however unlikely, we are in the playoffs - would you boycott the home match or Wembley?

I'm genuinely interested to know, considering ticket allocation (Celtic, Burnley, Feyernoord etc) has generated a lot of noise for various reasons in the past.

[47er]

Love the comments after the Keeley article too. Stirring stuff from great fans.

[Stuart]

I guess most footballers are, and always have been mercenaries, I can understand it but their argument doesn't make it right.

Ronnie Clayton once again proving a rare exception to the rule. I doubt we will see his ilk again - I think some thought Phil Jones might have been that man but he proved just like the rest. I suppose he too can blame Venkys and Kean though for not sticking around.

[den]

As those who aren't renewing or boycotting completely, a few questions though. And I am honestly not trying to wind anyone up.

Will you complain when the Burnley away match is restricted to season ticket holders and say those who have attended 4 home games?

If we have a decent cup run (however unlikely) what will you do if restrictions are in place?

And ultimately, again however unlikely, we are in the playoffs - would you boycott the home match or Wembley?

I'm genuinely interested to know, considering ticket allocation (Celtic, Burnley, Feyernoord etc) has generated a lot of noise for various reasons in the past.

I can only speak for myself BRB, but if I don't buy a ST, then what will be, will be. If I can't get a ticket, then I can't get a ticket. As for games that I could attend, then who knows? It isn't a case of never ever, just simply that at the moment I can't see a way that either 1] I would enjoy watching coco for another season - and all the garbage that comes with that, or 2] give the owners any backing whatsoever for what they're doing.

I still hope that something happens before the season starts, that shows the Raos to be changing direction, but following the appointment of Agnew, they seem to have no idea what to do.

[Paul]

I lived in York

We had four wonderful years in York. Still love the city. I spent many happy afternoons at Bootham Crescent.

Anyway....,,

Will you complain when the Burnley away match is restricted to season ticket holders and say those who have attended 4 home games?

I raised this one a few weeks back. I think Burnley home and away will be a big test of people's resolve.

For me those who refuse to attend every other game while Kean and the Raos are here should not attend either of these. We shall see......but I suspect many will turn out for just this game which I will find a touch hypocritical.

[DE.]

Why would you want to go and watch Burnley destroy us anyway?

With Kean in charge we'll get a proper hiding. Can only imagine being inside Ewood whilst the dingles mock our shambles of a team as we go 2/3-0 down in the first 20 minutes.

[Amo]

Why would you want to go and watch Burnley destroy us anyway?

With Kean in charge we'll get a proper hiding. Can only imagine being inside Ewood whilst the dingles mock our shambles of a team as we go 2/3-0 down in the first 20 minutes.

Kean's a record breaker.

He'll be licking his lips at destroying our 31 years.

[Ossydave]

!! Alarm bells ringing !!

It's happened before on numerous occasions to other teams....

[philipl]

Whichever side of the argument you are on the following points are pretty clear:

- gates at Ewood are probably going to halve next season

- whatever the Venky's master plan is, the fans are totally irrelevant and are probably not welcome

I had understood that Mrs D's plan to increase prices by 40% had been resisted. I now expect that the price increase will indeed be 40%.

[Amo]

Toppers, I say this with a lot of love...

Whilst you may feel justified in your argument and may even have some decent points (although I don't agree with all of them for reasons I've already gone into), the fact that you don't go to games puts you in a bit of a glass house on this one.

The points you are stressing are aimed not at Venkys but at Rovers fans who want to continue to attend.

Given everything that has happened over the last 18 months, especially for those who read messageboards like this one, anyone who is continuing to go must have a very personal reason for doing so - and I'm sure no-one still going wants to support Venkys but support Rovers, which is something very difficult to reconcile (especially as those not attending also feel they are supporting Rovers - somehow? - or feel there is no Rovers left to support). However, because you are criticising these people it's also very difficult not to take this personally and to be as objective as you seem to be able to. Therefore don't be surprised if people call you out on the fact you don't attend. Without that ingredient it's difficult to understand how difficult a decision this is for those on both sides of the renew/non-renew fence. With respect, you are on the fence, or even looking over the hedges from another field.

This is a very difficult situation for all Rovers fans and we all need to accept that, from previous season ticket holders, there will be renewers and non-renewers. Neither is a better fan than the other and neither wants to support Venkys - even if it's impossible to renew without being put in that position.

This is the dilemma and you and others will simply scream "but you ARE supporting them" and we will answer "no we aren't, we are supporting Rovers". (I'd include a metaphor here to stress the difference but some people don't like that).

You've made your point very well, and I don't think you've had (nor will get) the response you are looking for, but I think it's time to be a little less vociferous about it, and maybe show a bit more understanding.

Well said, Jisty. Thanks for taking the time to post that.

You're right, I've said my piece and I will now leave it at that.

[Baz]

Kamy said on twitter yesterday that Mrs D wants a 40% increase when season tickets go back on sale.

Can't see them selling very many at those prices.

[Baz]

For those stay at home fans, the BBC has still got the TV rights for highlights next season.

Link

[Steve Moss]

I don't have an agenda. I have bought STs because Rovers is a central part of my son's life. He does not have the mental capacity to understand our situation but will simply wonder, he can't ask, why he no longer goes to Rovers. If under those circumstances you wish to call me out for renewing it says more about you than it does me.

My son's pleasure is more important to me than my personal views. I have changed my view from a few weeks ago, I don't want to go. From your stance I assume you would congratulate me for punishing a disabled person for the Raos actions and my opinions of them.

You made the right decision, Paul.

Keeley's take on the ST situation.

I think he hit the nail on the head with this:

“But at the same time they are torn with a love, it’s like having your child as a drug addict or something, you’re torn between that love and yet on the other side of it you think, ‘This is wrong’.

[ABBEY]

It's a pointless one that only serves your ad hominem agenda.

Stick to the point - Is it or is it not misguided to buy a ST next season?

I've argued YES on the basis that Venky's have destroyed the club and have no respect or concern for their public. Therefore, buying a ST is basically giving them a vote of confidence and setting yourself up for another jolly rogering. Explaining why it's not easy to stop renewing is not a counter-argument for the foolishness of backing those who have spat in your face for 18 months. Some fans come out and admit they're suckered in and they don't know any better. At least they're honest and don't try to dress it up as anything more than that.

ok you wont answer Pauls question about how many games...lets keep this on topic .

How many season tickets have you bought before and does boycotting for you really actually mean boycotting?

I wonder how many out of those who have renewed will still stay away until the clown is gone? I come under that category as I cannot let my 10 year old son down on not taking him but he is old enough to understand about the protests and is happy enough to protest outside Ewood Park if the season is underway and, like me, he will not step foot in there till he's gone

get inside the ground alongside us and we can let the scum know we are still here....WE'LL BE HERE WHEN YOUVE GONE WE'LL BE HERE WHEN YOUVE GONE.

Agreed. Staying away is not going to do us any good.

It will probably inspire them to sell the ground and propose we ground-share with Burnley or play our home games on Pleasington.

OR MOVE US TO LONDON/DUBLIN/PUNE ? SCUM!!!!!!!!!!

[Amo]

ok you wont answer Pauls question about how many games...lets keep this on topic .

How many season tickets have you bought before and does boycotting for you really actually mean boycotting?

I'm not getting drawn into this "We are considerably more Rover than yow!" debate.

You're barking up the wrong tree here, mate.

[thenodrog]

The risk of fans staying away for a long period is a whole generation of fans will turn their back on the club, forget about football or find something else to do, and even if Venky's and Kean were to depart tomorrow, many of them will not come back.

They will gravitate to support a Top 4 Premier League club. We've seen it before in the 70's when dickheads with Lpool / MU shirts / bags / scarves actually took the ###### out of anyone wearing Rovers stuff.

[ABBEY]

I'm not getting drawn into this "We are considerably more Rover than yow!" debate.

You're barking up the wrong tree here, mate.

NOTHING is farther from the truth toppers , not saying whose more rovers than who.Im asking how YOU boycotting is actually BOYCOTTING? If you have had a season ticket say for 20 years and you dont buy one because your protesting then thats boycotting......if youve never had one and dont buy one again its status quo(cue the puns) then your not actually boycotting are you .?

[Amo]

NOTHING is farther from the truth toppers , not saying whose more rovers than who.Im asking how YOU boycotting is actually BOYCOTTING? If you have had a season ticket say for 20 years and you dont buy one because your protesting then thats boycotting......if youve never had one and dont buy one again its status quo(cue the puns) then your not actually boycotting are you .?

Who said I was boycotting?

[thenodrog]

I raised this one a few weeks back. I think Burnley home and away will be a big test of people's resolve.

For me those who refuse to attend every other game while Kean and the Raos are here should not attend either of these. We shall see......but I suspect many will turn out for just this game which I will find a touch hypocritical.

Thats just bloody churlish paul. You've admitted that you wouldn't have renewed and only got your two tickets cos of obligation to your lad.. and now you are trying to claim the moral high ground and having a pop at the stayaways! That Paul is really being hypocritical!

I'm fully supportive of people leaving Ewood to Kean, Agnew that little fella who drives for Kean and the pigeons BUT instead packing into every away ground next season and filling our allocation. It'd stop all criticism from media based knobheads and bring the problems at Blackburn to the fore.

[rog of the rovers]

My dad and I have renewed, but, as I think will be the case with quite a few of us who have got STs, we are going to pick and choose our games.

For instance in the past I have missed playing cricket to go to the Rovers. This season if there is a conflict, I will play cricket.

Similarly my dad with his golf.

The large number of midweek games will also restrict any long distance fans from attending every match.

[thenodrog]

Whichever side of the argument you are on the following points are pretty clear:

- gates at Ewood are probably going to halve next season

- whatever the Venky's master plan is, the fans are totally irrelevant and are probably not welcome

I had understood that Mrs D's plan to increase prices by 40% had been resisted. I now expect that the price increase will indeed be 40%.

She can do what she wants. In her own words "My Father told me that business is just as matter of common sense"

Well Joan as far as my old maths teacher was concerned "40% of nowt is still nowt". So bring it on bitch!

[Fife Rover]

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what your personal stance is towards the owners, manager etc. The fact that any fans will turn up next season will be spun by Kean and the club as support for what they are doing. If fans don't attend then they can't do that, I would like to see club spin the 'minority element' and '1%' arguments if hardly anyone is at the ground.

This will be my last post on this topic, I feel comfortable that not a single penny from me will go into the club until these people have gone. And whilst I find it hard to believe that anyone would want to do so, I respect their decision and different viewpoint.

Spot on RVR I fully agree with all that including that I dont condemn anyone who has a different view, even though I dont agree with their reasoning that they are supporting BRFC. In my wiew BRFC as we have all known it for however long before the Venkys came simply does NOT EXIST any more. Therefore any money that you pay to club in any form at all IS going to support the owners venture, and it makes no difference whether or not we agree or like it.......that is the plain unvarnished truth. And they are damned well NOT going to get a penny of my money!!!

As for those arguing that not renewing their S/T now will probably mean they lose the habit and won't ever return, I disagree and reject that argument. I know now that as soon as the club is fully rid of the Venkys and all their cohorts I will be back (God willing). I have NEVER deserted the Rovers before in nearly 66years as a fan and I ain't about to start now. I will still support the memory and spirit of this great old club and I hope and pray that it will be freed from the present tyrrany and downright incompetence in all departments, and let's all hope that this is not too far off happening, or it could well be too late for me.

[Waggy76]

Without the fans , there is no club.....

The fans are the lifeblood of any football club ...