Cambridge Ticketing Fiasco

[simongarnerisgod]

Just now, wilsdenrover said:

What have Bristol City done? 

Sustainability highlights for Bristol City and the group include:

 

·     Generating 100,000kWh of electricity using solar panels

·     Sourcing over 50% of food and drink served within 12 miles of the stadium

·     Donating surplus food to local charities

·     Subsidised bus travel to reduce the carbon footprint of away support, and

·     Energy-efficient lighting, water saving and zero waste to landfill policies.

[wilsdenrover]

Just now, Hasta said:

It’s on the link I posted above.

I noticed that as soon as I posted 🤦‍♂️

[simongarnerisgod]

all the above green targets achieved by bristol city take organisation,hard work and dedication,all of which are  in short supply in the boardroom of ewood

[Mattyblue]

3 minutes ago, simongarnerisgod said:

Sustainability highlights for Bristol City and the group include:

 

·     Generating 100,000kWh of electricity using solar panels

·     Sourcing over 50% of food and drink served within 12 miles of the stadium

·     Donating surplus food to local charities

·     Subsidised bus travel to reduce the carbon footprint of away support, and

·     Energy-efficient lighting, water saving and zero waste to landfill policies.

So *actual*, sustainable change with common sense solutions. Shows what you get from a club with grown up leadership, not one off silly gimmicks.

[simongarnerisgod]

3 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

So *actual*, sustainable change with common sense solutions. Shows what you get from a club with grown up leadership, not one off silly gimmicks.

aye,they make a real impact while we ban paper and ink,that should make a difference to the ozone layer🙄

[tomphil]

24 minutes ago, simongarnerisgod said:

all the above green targets achieved by bristol city take organisation,hard work and dedication,all of which are  in short supply in the boardroom of ewood

Exactly and way beyond the lazy clueless gravy train riders, i'm sure though if a fans group offered to do it all for them they'd be all over it !

First thing springs to mind at upstairs at  Ewood though is hey we can save £100 quid on this box ticking virtue signalling exercise. Getting a donation from the EFL in the process and not bothering about reducing a small crowd to a tiny one because it's covered.

Hey Mrs D look we saved X on the Cambridge game but the takings were still Y .

Edited December 21, 2023 by tomphil

[Ben-2000]

Are the Trust still taking the club to task on this, or are they happy with the latest statement regarding Cambridge tickets?

Across this forum, Facebook comments etc I'm yet to see any positive comments about it, yet the club continue to ignore the fan base.

[matt83]

47 minutes ago, simongarnerisgod said:

Sustainability highlights for Bristol City and the group include:

 

·     Generating 100,000kWh of electricity using solar panels

·     Sourcing over 50% of food and drink served within 12 miles of the stadium

·     Donating surplus food to local charities

·     Subsidised bus travel to reduce the carbon footprint of away support, and

·     Energy-efficient lighting, water saving and zero waste to landfill policies.

Far too much effort. I’d rather just make it difficult for fans to attend saving £5 in printing tickets. 

[chaddyrovers]

Thanks Mike and anyone involved in the fan takeover game and great price for a game that fans wouldn't normally been attracted to. 

23 hours ago, Rogerb said:

Not everyone uses a digital phone, not everyone has a mobile believe it or not and some still use old Nokia's.

Fair enough. 

23 hours ago, wilsdenrover said:

I don’t

My phone makes calls and does texts (old school innit)

Fair enough there. I used my phone(about 4 years old) for everything including emails, online shopping, texts, online games, social media. 

[Upside Down]

4 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Ah but none of it is his fault, it's ours, we apparently have "staunch habits" ( he makes it sound like heroin addiction) that he finds awkward to overcome.

Heroin would probably be better for your health than Rovers.

[Tom]

On 21/12/2023 at 00:00, Uddersfelt Blue said:

Dare I ask why you haven’t been to a game all season Tom? 

Whilst I agree that the decision to make this match a digital one is a bad one there seems to be a lot of comment from folk who appear to be digitally savvy claiming that they won’t be able to buy tickets for themselves or others. In this day and age, if you are regularly online then it’s likely that you will be able to buy tickets without much problem (if you can pay for them that is) 

 

 

Course, I’ve always had a season ticket with my Dad and would take my eldest with us but he never really got the bug. Last season we decided not to renew as the old man wanted to spend a few months doing a European train trip so wouldn’t be worthwhile.

He passed away suddenly in February and to be honest I’ve not yet felt ready to go back alone.

I will at some point of that I have no doubt 

[Miller11]

I spoke to both Steve Waggott and Fraser Read specifically about this issue on Tuesday. 

These are the reasons I believe they have made the decision:

- The idea of “Digital Day” is apparently a small part of a broader commitment to the EFL Green Club Standard scheme. My own thoughts are that this is a literal box tick towards that accreditation, and there is a lot more work to be done that will have significant costs attached, but will also provide savings in the long run.

- Secondly there is a long term plan to move more towards digital sales and ticketing, which is happening everywhere. Rovers are behind the curve in relation to other football clubs. While we have digital tickets, uptake is low.

Obviously the reason I got in touch with them was down to the problems this is causing supporters who want to attend the game. They are well aware of the criticism and have received contact and correspondence directly, they have also seen what people are saying on social media and this thread.

They immediately conceded that the message hadn’t been conveyed in an appropriate manner, they know it has caused upset/concern/anger and I’m positive there will be some discussions around this. What should’ve been pitched as a “join us on our digital journey” type message has come across as “do it or be left behind”. I don’t know who is to blame for the tone of it, it’s obviously down to them to manage that.

I explained that we’d had people contacting us directly to ask for help to ensure they could get a ticket. I outlined two proposal which WATR would be happy to endorse/assist with.

1) We would provide assistance to people on Saturday to get online. If necessary take cash and buy and print tickets for them.

2) Suggested a cash turnstile for a block of seats.

Whether it was always the plan or it’s a direct result of the negative feedback, the club are basically going to do point one. They are having a permanent digital assistance point in the club shop, ensuring phone staff are trained up to provide support and not just sales. Perhaps most importantly they stated that they would not refuse anyone a ticket as a result of the changes. There will be exceptions where a paper ticket will be provided - but it’s an exception rather than an option. Cash turnstile wasn’t an option as, although green, doesn’t contribute to the second aim highlighted above.

The aim here for the Trust wasn’t to “take the club to task” - it would’ve been a waste of everyone’s time as they are getting that message loud and clear already. The idea was to try and find a solution. Obviously we made the point that the timing of the furore here wasn’t great considering the efforts we were making for Fan Takeover.

This isn’t an endorsement by WATR of a long term move to digital only ticketing - I think the fanbase have made their thought on that abundantly clear. This appears to be a pilot that has been badly presented and received. Perhaps if we had been consulted beforehand we could’ve let them know how much apprehension and concern the idea would be met with.

As a slight aside, we’re in discussions regarding season tickets for next year (happy to discuss with anyone who fancies a chat on Saturday) and these recent events will likely tie into that in the future.

 

[matt83]

27 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

I spoke to both Steve Waggott and Fraser Read specifically about this issue on Tuesday. 

These are the reasons I believe they have made the decision:

- The idea of “Digital Day” is apparently a small part of a broader commitment to the EFL Green Club Standard scheme. My own thoughts are that this is a literal box tick towards that accreditation, and there is a lot more work to be done that will have significant costs attached, but will also provide savings in the long run.

- Secondly there is a long term plan to move more towards digital sales and ticketing, which is happening everywhere. Rovers are behind the curve in relation to other football clubs. While we have digital tickets, uptake is low.

Obviously the reason I got in touch with them was down to the problems this is causing supporters who want to attend the game. They are well aware of the criticism and have received contact and correspondence directly, they have also seen what people are saying on social media and this thread.

They immediately conceded that the message hadn’t been conveyed in an appropriate manner, they know it has caused upset/concern/anger and I’m positive there will be some discussions around this. What should’ve been pitched as a “join us on our digital journey” type message has come across as “do it or be left behind”. I don’t know who is to blame for the tone of it, it’s obviously down to them to manage that.

I explained that we’d had people contacting us directly to ask for help to ensure they could get a ticket. I outlined two proposal which WATR would be happy to endorse/assist with.

1) We would provide assistance to people on Saturday to get online. If necessary take cash and buy and print tickets for them.

2) Suggested a cash turnstile for a block of seats.

Whether it was always the plan or it’s a direct result of the negative feedback, the club are basically going to do point one. They are having a permanent digital assistance point in the club shop, ensuring phone staff are trained up to provide support and not just sales. Perhaps most importantly they stated that they would not refuse anyone a ticket as a result of the changes. There will be exceptions where a paper ticket will be provided - but it’s an exception rather than an option. Cash turnstile wasn’t an option as, although green, doesn’t contribute to the second aim highlighted above.

The aim here for the Trust wasn’t to “take the club to task” - it would’ve been a waste of everyone’s time as they are getting that message loud and clear already. The idea was to try and find a solution. Obviously we made the point that the timing of the furore here wasn’t great considering the efforts we were making for Fan Takeover.

This isn’t an endorsement by WATR of a long term move to digital only ticketing - I think the fanbase have made their thought on that abundantly clear. This appears to be a pilot that has been badly presented and received. Perhaps if we had been consulted beforehand we could’ve let them know how much apprehension and concern the idea would be met with.

As a slight aside, we’re in discussions regarding season tickets for next year (happy to discuss with anyone who fancies a chat on Saturday) and these recent events will likely tie into that in the future.

 

Commendable effort but once again it’s barmy the fans have to step in to provide common sense solutions to problems of the clubs own making. It’s their job yet once again beholden to fans donating their time and common sense.

”They immediately conceded that the message hadn’t been conveyed in an appropriate manner”. - if only we had a competent head of marketing to make sure such mistakes didn’t happen.

When they fail time and time again on the little issues it’s no wonder they can’t ever get the big things right.

Re the timing of the fans take over the cynic in me thinks they do it on purpose. I seem to recall they did something irritating before the girona game.

Even though there’s plenty of club officials who are paid very handsomely to do seemingly naff all at least the fan groups are still bringing some sense to proceedings. 

[Ben-2000]

49 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

Perhaps most importantly they stated that they would not refuse anyone a ticket as a result of the changes. There will be exceptions where a paper ticket will be provided - but it’s an exception rather than an option

 

Thanks for your post and obvious effort to help supporters beat these needless obstacles.

Did they give examples of what the exceptions might be? 

[rigger]

I have just received an E-mail from Chritina Hayes, stating that the opportunity for the club to print tickets will be available at Ewood, for certain circumstances. 

[matt83]

My mates periodically send me this after I foolishly downloaded a train ticket on my phone which was nearly out of battery by the time we arrived in Euston. Foreseeing issues I showed the ticket office the purchased return train ticket and my phone battery on 10% and asked if they could print me off a proof of purchase as my phone would be dead by the time came home. They refused. Well until I was abusive sadly, and I do mean sadly, the only language customer facing roles seem to understand these days. 

I also had a similar issue with a boarding pass when cracked my phone screen. Since then I look for the past to find solutions to modern problems namely cash and physical documents. 

[jim mk2]

Lots of parallels with the rail industry

RMT union leader Mick Lynch and disability and passenger groups led a successful campaign against the rail ticket office closures, forcing the government to tell the train operators to withdraw their proposals

Ministers are preparing to allow private train companies in England to make greater profits if they succeed in boosting passenger numbers . 

In other words, give Maggott an incentive to get more bums on seats at Ewood and it might make him think and work a bit harder and boost his £300k salary 

[Miller11]

58 minutes ago, Ben-2000 said:

Thanks for your post and obvious effort to help supporters beat these needless obstacles.

Did they give examples of what the exceptions might be? 

Basically those who CAN’T print or use a smartphone rather than those who don’t want to.

[MarkBRFC]

1 minute ago, Miller11 said:

Basically those who CAN’T print or use a smartphone rather than those who don’t want to.

I'm guessing this won't be advertised though in the fear that plenty will do it.

[Ben-2000]

3 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

Basically those who CAN’T print or use a smartphone rather than those who don’t want to.

I assume if you turn up on matchday without a suitable phone you'll be fine then. 

[arbitro]

This is from Southampton last week where two coaches were used along with a van to take the kit down.

They are having us over.

 

 

[wilsdenrover]

38 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

Basically those who CAN’T print or use a smartphone rather than those who don’t want to.

Will they want proof of will they take a supporter at his/her word?

[Rogerb]

34 minutes ago, Ben-2000 said:

I assume if you turn up on matchday without a suitable phone you'll be fine then. 

Better get there early with one digital hub the queue is likely to be out the door. I wonder if the drink and snack offer will still be available on match day.

[martonrover]

37 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

Lots of parallels with the rail industry

RMT union leader Mick Lynch and disability and passenger groups led a successful campaign against the rail ticket office closures, forcing the government to tell the train operators to withdraw their proposals

Ministers are preparing to allow private train companies in England to make greater profits if they succeed in boosting passenger numbers . 

In other words, give Maggott an incentive to get more bums on seats at Ewood and it might make him think and work a bit harder and boost his £300k salary 

Another parallel - the government doesn't give a sh*t about the railway, in the same way that Venkys don't give a sh*t about Rovers.

[jim mk2]

At the risk of sounding like a Luddite I normally buy tickets for away matches by ringing up and having them sent out by post. Is that option now discontinued?

Edited December 22, 2023 by jim mk2