Questions for ST holders

As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
User avatar
SteveO 35
Posts: 22142
Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 7:01 pm
Location: Abou's fan club

Questions for ST holders

Post by SteveO 35 »

I have been quite outspoken on here with regard to my thoughts on the ST being the biggest item of power that the fans hold, and that in my opinion only a mass non-renewal will bring about any sort of change to the investment policy of the club, theway in which it is managed and the way in which fans are treated. However, I know there's a load of people that disagree with that too; fair enough.

For everyone that renewed for this season I would simply like to know under what circumstances you wouldn't renew for next season

Lack of investment in the first team squad?
Another ticket price rise?
Fall out of the CL places?
More player sales?

Or is it a case that you will renew anyway. Mikey has mentioned before that it is a way of protecting away credits and giving priority for matches, and others have simply argued that they were supporting Arsenal long before the board/management came along and why should they sacrifice the ST.

More than halfway through the season it would be interesting to know what the feeling is ahead of the next renewal decision.

Kevinho
Posts: 1179
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:45 pm
Location: Body in Bromley, spirit at Highbury

Post by Kevinho »

The only circumstance I would not renew is if I could not afford to after exhausting all possible legal means of getting the cash.

I'd leave the seat empty however if there were no obvious signs of improvement or genuine attempts at improvement.

potter
Posts: 236
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 11:32 pm
Location: norfolk

Post by potter »

Cost would be the major factor coupled with the continual television alterations of matchdays. Living some 120 miles away , wierd and wonderful silly o'clock kick off times make using a season ticket difficult and impractible.
I've been watching The Arsenal since long before Wenger and hopefully I will still be watching after him. However the clubs policy of making a long term leaver go back to red certainly ties you in.

Skooner
Posts: 572
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:50 pm

Post by Skooner »

It's hard to see myself ever giving it up unless circumstances out of my hands dictated it. I've been a regular since I was 7. It's not something I can really explain, I can't say I really enjoy it much at the moment and the last 2 or 3 years are the first time it has even entered my head to not renew but in my heart of hearts I knew I would and I will next season.

As you said, people want to protect away credits/ensure cup final ticket priority (just in case!). I also go with my parents, brother and sister so there is the family/social element whereby I probably wouldn't see them nearly as much if i didn't go.

All that said I've never felt less enthused by the club so perhaps another couple of years would convince me, I'm definitely not at that stage yet though and I don't know if there is a tipping point.

User avatar
SWLGooner
Posts: 10483
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:58 pm
Location: Islington Town Hall, applauding the fourth place trophy.

Post by SWLGooner »

I will always renew, as long as financial/personal circumstances make it possible. A question of away credits, cup finals, spending time with my old man (I go with him, we don't see much of each other in the week), social side of things, etc. It also gives me the avenue to protest if I feel it necessary.

User avatar
Gus Caesar
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 10:42 pm
Location: Sittingbourne

Post by Gus Caesar »

Feeling the frustration, and starting to see many games as a trial rather than the exciting event I looked forward to all week, but the ability to sit with family/mates and not have to mess about on the 'phone/web trying to get tickets for big games means I'd be very likely to renew unless it became stupidly out of reach financially...

Europa league would bring an interesting dimension... Club would have to be seen to be fair to ST holders whilst not leaving most of the ground empty - but would seriously think about travelling the 80 mile round trip on a Thursday night to see our second team take on Arsend Moenchengladback...

For the record - agree that probably is the only way we would get change, but unless the club make getting another one where you want it when things pick up easier (which they will have no reason to do...) most people will stick rather than twist and see what happens...

At the end of the day I waited ages to be able to get an ST including 8 years on the waiting list so would take a lot to give it up now...

User avatar
QuartzGooner
Posts: 14474
Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:49 pm
Location: London

Post by QuartzGooner »

SWLGooner wrote:I will always renew, as long as financial/personal circumstances make it possible. A question of away credits, cup finals, spending time with my old man (I go with him, we don't see much of each other in the week), social side of things, etc. It also gives me the avenue to protest if I feel it necessary.
Agree.

arseofacrow
Posts: 6173
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:06 pm
Location: Cologne

Re: Questions for ST holders

Post by arseofacrow »

SteveO 35 wrote:I have been quite outspoken on here with regard to my thoughts on the ST being the biggest item of power that the fans hold, and that in my opinion only a mass non-renewal will bring about any sort of change to the investment policy of the club, theway in which it is managed and the way in which fans are treated. However, I know there's a load of people that disagree with that too; fair enough.

For everyone that renewed for this season I would simply like to know under what circumstances you wouldn't renew for next season

Lack of investment in the first team squad?
Another ticket price rise?
Fall out of the CL places?
More player sales?

Or is it a case that you will renew anyway. Mikey has mentioned before that it is a way of protecting away credits and giving priority for matches, and others have simply argued that they were supporting Arsenal long before the board/management came along and why should they sacrifice the ST.

More than halfway through the season it would be interesting to know what the feeling is ahead of the next renewal decision.
only under "special circumstances" steveo

:wink:

User avatar
Boomer
Posts: 8604
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:00 am
Location: Putting the 'THE' back in the Arsenal.

Post by Boomer »

This has been raised before and I agree with all the responses above, especially SWL's response as football is for some more then just the 90 minutes there's a whole social element to factor in.

Augie and I have often spoken regarding this topic with similar views. I’m sure like me Augie has been waiting years to finally get our season tickets and are not willing to give them up so easily and agreeing with Skooner there's not much to enjoy but you also have to take the long view.
Not so much now but a having a season ticket was like owning gold.
Things are depressing now but there will still be an Arsenal once Wenger gone and who knows what that adventure will bring.

I understand how much power there is with Season tickets. If properly organised I'm willing to forfeit games if needed but I just can't part with it not after waiting so long. Also there's still many that would jump at the chance to own a season ticket so whilst I could be making a stand and self sacrifice it would only be to the advantage of the next bloke that jumps on my grave!

It's a difficult one I know. Yes season ticket holders have the power but the club has the trump card as much as it's fast dwindling there's still plenty more on the waiting list that are willing to sign up.

rigsby
Posts: 3046
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:52 am

Post by rigsby »

Only if I couldn't afford them. I've sat through worse times at the club

Red Member
Posts: 1898
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:14 am
Location: London

Post by Red Member »

I agree with Steveo but I can't see ST holders changing their minds and they do have some good arguments.

I am not on a ST waiting list, only the waiting list for silver so I cannot be accused of trying to get ST holders to give up so that it would benefit me.

my belief is though that if you are a ST holder then that is a vote for Wenger to stay as manager.
ST renewed - Kroenke happy - Wenger remains as manager - then repeated

also one point on the social argument of having a ST. I think it is very much like holding a debenture seat for Wimbledon tennis. You pay for it and then watch whatever is put in front of you, no questions asked. British tennis has been shit for many many years. Is this what Arsenal's future looks like if ST holders continue to renew?

User avatar
SteveO 35
Posts: 22142
Joined: Sun May 11, 2008 7:01 pm
Location: Abou's fan club

Post by SteveO 35 »

Thanks for the responses guys. Some good stuff in there to digest and of course I understand all the reasons why people are reluctant to give them up.

In many ways I have the best of all worlds. Through my own mates and a group that my Dad has sat with for 30 years+, I have 'access' to about a dozen or so season tickets, and either through their indifference or reasons why they can't attend, I can normally nab a seat. Not everyone can do that I understand. I was offered the chance to take one of these seats over last season but refused and the guy who was going to relinquish then decided to keep it going for the reasons you guys have highlighted. In the background I have my Silver memberships which mean I can go whenever the mood takes, and this season I vowed not to, but that's OK - it cost me £36 and its just a holding position really rather than your huge commitment in advance

Its a real shame, because the club kind of know where they have got you. We're not classic consumers in the 'shoppers' mould i.e. put the prices up 10% and we go elsewhere to buy. Sadly the club make little attempt to hide the fact that they blatantly take advantage of this loyalty

Again, thanks for responding

User avatar
Eboue-Why?
Posts: 4216
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: Sunny Surrey

Post by Eboue-Why? »

For the last few years I have been shelling out for 2 STs for me and my boy. It has become too expensive now and at the start of this season I told myself that we could only attend a handful of games so that I could recoup some of the outlay and pay off the credit card by offloading to mates.

Come June it'll be a really tough decision again, but only from a financial angle. I can't afford 2 grand but I am one of those ST holders that frustrate Steve in that however fucked off I am with Wenger, The Board, Walcott, Arshavin...............it's 40 years that is just in you and it's difficult to chuck that away easily. As much as I want to send a signal to the club, I feel that ditching them from a complaining point of view rather than a financial one would be cutting of my nose to spite my face.

So the answer Steve is that if I can afford it I will. On the 'Is there anything you like about Arsenal' thread I talked about it being a marriage. Unfortunately the STs are part of it in my mind, through thick and thin and all that bollocks (and no doubt some would think I am really fucking thick!!!)

EC3
Posts: 489
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:08 pm

Post by EC3 »

I've had a season ticket since about 1979.

The way this season is panning out why bother renewing, as tickets are now going on general sale and next season it will be even more so.

BournemouthRED
Posts: 4107
Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:43 pm
Location: SE19

Post by BournemouthRED »

I don't really see what power a season ticket holder at arsenal anymore?

Post Reply