Season Ticket holders - Europa League 2012/13

SteveO 35 · Post by **SteveO 35** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:06 pm

Red Member wrote:Is the Europa league the one that Man United play in?

since they are now collapsing as I predicted last month I imagine they will be playing in it again next year too

I hope your mates at Red Cafe aren't reading this, Red

MK Gould · Post by **MK Gould** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:13 pm

Two things.

1. There are a few on here who say they belong to or are organisers of different fans groups. Well, can you confirm whether you/they have done something practical like asking Arsenal what happens next season if we're in the Europa League....? Simple question.

2. When my first kid was born I dropped down to one match for I think two seasons on the trot. Never missed a complete season though. No time, no money. But in the early/mid-80's when we were really crap, going nowhere and even with Terry Neil in charge, I hardly missed a match. Sorry, but anyone who says they no longer go to games "because Wenger is the Manager" or because of the "lack of atmosphere at the bowl" is not, in my opinion, a true fan.....

SWLGooner · Post by **SWLGooner** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:20 pm

MK; no can do on account of confidentiality...

Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:05 am

clockender1 wrote:
flash gunner wrote:
You think they're bad wait till you see REDaction

joke lads
RedAction :we salute thee SWL, on today the day of your martyrdom for the cause being the "wenger out " campaign....

...SWL we salute you.

three cheers for SWL, for he's a jolly good fellow...

SWL: wait, wait, i don't want to die....

what a suck up!!!!!

TeeCee · Post by **TeeCee** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:04 am

Â Sorry, but anyone who says they no longer go to games "because Wenger is the Manager" or because of the "lack of atmosphere at the bowl" is not, in my opinion, a true fan.....

You are entitled to your opinion like everyone else MK.

Apart from being a ST holder since 1980 up until this season, I also used to go to at least 70% of all domestic away games too, in the 80's. I will not go to any more games whilst Wenger, a man I consider to be truly incompetent, is in charge of the team.
I an very much a true fan of Arsenal Football Club. I am not a fan, in any way, of the fool in charge of the team.

SPARKSY · Post by **SPARKSY** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:08 am

tel wrote:I guarantee you Europa League games will be included next season irrespective of whatever protest is raised. The club simply won't risk having 20k in the ground when they can fleece the season ticket holders. They will also want guaranteed money in the bank and charging carling cup prices simply isn't going to happen. I will enjoy telling the club to shove their offer of a season ticket in the summer as I'm around 4400 on the list as giving up my silver woukd be incredibly stupid.

You're spot on there mate.

augie · Post by **augie** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:10 am

As others have already said, there is no way in the world that the club will not inc europa league matches as part of the season tickets next season nor is there any chance that they will reduce the prices as a result

Put simply, despite all the bravado from the club to the contrary, we know that they count on champs league income every season and not making it for a season will put a serious hole in our budget. As usual when this happens it will be the fans who are expected to make up the difference instead of the owners or instead of reducing the wages of the *word censored* responsible for not qualifying (manager and players). If player contracts can have bonus's for success (winning trophies, making champs league etc) then why can they not have clauses that will see a reduction in wages for failing to meet certain targets ? Doesnt seem like rocket science to me

I also agree 100% that this is the time where fan groups should be telling the club (discreetly) that there is no way in hell that we will go along with a similar pricing policy next season for europa league football. We all know that there is no way in the world wenger will play his first choice team on thursday nights so why shouldnt it be classed as a european carling cup in pricing terms ? Is it reasonable to expect fans to pay Â£35 upwards to watch a reserve side when the fans could go down to underhill to watch them play in a reserve league for a few quid ? Of course I am militant and always complain that we the fans dont do enough to let the club know the depth of anger at the way we are now managed by wenger and the board but seeing as this shows no sign of changing then we can continue to expect the club to rape us financially without feeling any responsibility or appreciation to the fans

I know that this has been discussed before but are bond holders the only people who can drop down to silver memberships ? If so what options are open to me next summer ? Is it possible to defer for a season citing financial woe's ? Have waited a long time for a season ticket and dont want to give it up when I know that wenger will be leaving soon and I will then want it back but will be unable to get it back. However at the same time I do want to send a strong message of dissatisfaction to the club and would much rather be a part of a real strong public protest at a match to do so but that isnt looking likely anytime soon

SteveO 35 · Post by **SteveO 35** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:07 am

MK Gould wrote:Two things.

1. There are a few on here who say they belong to or are organisers of different fans groups. Well, can you confirm whether you/they have done something practical like asking Arsenal what happens next season if we're in the Europa League....? Simple question.

2. When my first kid was born I dropped down to one match for I think two seasons on the trot. Never missed a complete season though. No time, no money. But in the early/mid-80's when we were really crap, going nowhere and even with Terry Neil in charge, I hardly missed a match. Sorry, but anyone who says they no longer go to games "because Wenger is the Manager" or because of the "lack of atmosphere at the bowl" is not, in my opinion, a true fan.....

Its far more than Wenger simply being the manager for me MK. Like you I have held season tickets during some of the most desperate years of watching Arsenal (well certainly in terms of my lifetime), and I spent most of my hard earned cash as a young fella travelling to away games too.

What has changed for me, beyond all recognition, is the ethos of the club. Ever since the stadium move came about I think the evidence is crystal clear that the focus has been property development & marketing, whilst in the background the football club itself i.e. the very fucking reason we are all here as fans to start with, has been left to fester.

The 6.5% increase in ticket prices and the fourth consecutive year of failing to see that convert to reinvestment in the playing squad, was the final straw for me (well final, as in until it changes). There isn't an Arsenal man at the helm of the club, something that is unique and damning. The latest Hill-Wood brings shame on the family name with his outdated, outspoken crap and is merely a puppet on Kroenke's string, as his own shareholding is tiny. I have seen these kind of takeovers in many different sectors before - Kroenke's interest is to maximise his cash return in something like a 3-4 year period, which will inevitably see the continued reduction in investment in the team. He spotted an investment opportunity as the debt was falling, hopes to ride the back of the gravy train, negotiate individual club TV rights (or a bigger cut of the Sky cake), "widen the brand" in Asia / emerging world, and sell on to the highest bidder.

In the meantime, the supporters of the club, rather like commuters using public transport, will be asked to fork out for inflation busting price increases, which feed Kroenke's business model. I fully expect every year under his ownership to follow the same pattern. The club accounts actually highlight the fact that we didn't make as large a transfer profit as the previous year, almost as an excpetion.

It hurts like shit not being able to give my all as a supporter in the ways that I once did; but I will stick to my principles even if others feel that they can not do the same. In an age where virtually all but the very top games go on sale down to Reds / general sale, then you find you can get to a good few many games anyway.

If the situation changes and we follow an ownership model that focuses on long term development of the FOOTBALL club, then I will gladly return once more. A summer of watching RvP get sold, Walcott demand 85k per week and other non-proven kids get 5 year millionaire contracts, substandard shite getting bought or even worsed loaned in, watching Thursday night football......and then being told no doubt that "administration fees" for tickets will rise 'due to inflation'........not for me thanks

Red Member · Post by **Red Member** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:29 am

IF we play in the Europa League next season and IF these tickets are included in the season tickets surely this is another reason to not renew them?

Anyone who does renew their ST if we finish 5th either is

1) a deluded brainless moron
2) has more money than sense

I do not agree with boycotting matches though - this is not the same thing.
by all means continue to go to matches using silver/red membership just do not give the yank the money in advance.
Also if you do not have a ST you do not have to pay for Europa League matches if you dont want to

Reg Niseth · Post by **Reg Niseth** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:29 am

As some of you may remember, the BSM has recommended that ST holders are given an option of buying without cup vouchers, i.e. a ST Lite if you like . . . . we're still awaiting a response.

Our pateience is being stretched right now by the club's delay in responding to our recommendations.

Post by **HashKads** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:38 am

Reg Niseth wrote:As some of you may remember, the BSM has recommended that ST holders are given an option of buying without cup vouchers, i.e. a ST Lite if you like . . . . we're still awaiting a response.

Our pateience is being stretched right now by the club's delay in responding to our recommendations.

Reg, I can't remember who it was, I think REDaction had a meeting with the club and got responses pretty much instantaneously. Why wasn't this the case with BSM? Not having a dig, just wondered.

Dan_85 · Post by **Dan_85** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:40 am

Reg Niseth wrote:As some of you may remember, the BSM has recommended that ST holders are given an option of buying without cup vouchers, i.e. a ST Lite if you like . . . . we're still awaiting a response.

Our pateience is being stretched right now by the club's delay in responding to our recommendations.

I think you may be waiting a while. I have a lot of time for the BSM but I'm fairly certain this is nothing but lip service from the club designed to appease you & keep you from their door a little while longer.

Anyway, never mind the Europa League, I'll be interested to see what happens to our pricing structure if we fail to even make Europe at all...

Post by **HashKads** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:42 am

Dan_85 wrote:
Reg Niseth wrote:As some of you may remember, the BSM has recommended that ST holders are given an option of buying without cup vouchers, i.e. a ST Lite if you like . . . . we're still awaiting a response.

Our pateience is being stretched right now by the club's delay in responding to our recommendations.
I think you may be waiting a while. I have a lot of time for the BSM but I'm fairly certain this is nothing but lip service from the club designed to appease you & keep you from their door a little while longer.

Anyway, never mind the Europa League, I'll be interested to see what happens to our pricing structure if we fail to even make Europe at all...

ST's will still be the same price as the cup credits will be used for FA and Carling Cup games

Dan_85 · Post by **Dan_85** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:47 am

kingjayson1 wrote:
Dan_85 wrote:
Reg Niseth wrote:As some of you may remember, the BSM has recommended that ST holders are given an option of buying without cup vouchers, i.e. a ST Lite if you like . . . . we're still awaiting a response.

Our pateience is being stretched right now by the club's delay in responding to our recommendations.
I think you may be waiting a while. I have a lot of time for the BSM but I'm fairly certain this is nothing but lip service from the club designed to appease you & keep you from their door a little while longer.

Anyway, never mind the Europa League, I'll be interested to see what happens to our pricing structure if we fail to even make Europe at all...
ST's will still be the same price as the cup credits will be used for FA and Carling Cup games

Most likely. Do you see us getting 7 home ties in the FA Cup/CC though?

SteveO 35 · Post by **SteveO 35** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:51 am

Reg Niseth wrote:As some of you may remember, the BSM has recommended that ST holders are given an option of buying without cup vouchers, i.e. a ST Lite if you like . . . . we're still awaiting a response.

Our pateience is being stretched right now by the club's delay in responding to our recommendations.

Reg, I think the silence says it all really. The club know full well that the only Cup that matters to most people now is the Champions League.

They've already had to offer bargain basement prices for the Carling Cup - something for which they should rightly be praised - to sell out the ground and the FA Cup is moving that way too.

The Europa League for me, and most fans I believe, is the Carling Cup of Europe and fans will treat it accordingly. If we charged Â£38+ for a game against Shamrock Rovers or Lech Poznan on a Thursday night, I doubt half the tickets would sell.

Perhaps I'm just a suspicious git, but I would reckon that the only way for the club to protect themselves against this would be to ensure STs can only be bought with the cup vouchers. If we finish 5th, and they did offer a Season Ticket Lite, I believe that it would be the most popular option by far given the standing of the Europa League and the impact that the recession will inevitably have on incomes in 2012.

That would give the club two problems. Firstly the money they rake in during the Summer months for season ticket sales would be down by the value of the cup games, and secondly they would then have the issue of how to sell out those games as and when they arise. I think I'm right in saying that Rangers reported that they had actually lost money right up until the point they reached the Final of the Europa League a few seasons back ?

With that in mind, my prediction is that it will be season tickets as normal dressed up in the marketing spin that they are "delighted to announce that prices will remain fixed for season 2012/13" - something for which Hill-Wood will tell us all we should be very thankful for.