It's a calculated gamble.

On the one side, there will be those who think, "Oh well, I knew these deals are never worth the paper they're written on, cos the club invariably soon goes tits", and pays all over again.

On the other, are those who bought who were (by definition) amongst the most devoted hardcore fans, at least the ones with a grand to spare, who will suddenly feel the new owners have kicked them in the nuts, and made it clear how much they value their support (i.e. "not at all, unless you pay like everyone else"icon_wink.gif.

The reason these deals have to either be honoured, or at the very least, discuss and offer some sort of compromise, is precisely the signal the PRESENT owners are sending out to these stalwarts - and anyone else who is watching, e.g. potential stalwarts of the future. It is, to me, appalling marketing and the worst thing you can do as a club is create a disconnect with your most loyal supporters.

When you do so at the same time as offering thousands of "free" 2018 SL season tickets for those who renew this year, it looks particularly crass and ill-judged to me.

I don't care how the latter is being funded, even if you have 45 of the top payers, @ 5 years that is roughly £60k over 5 years. But they are still at Odsal spending money every week and buying merchandise. If each spends in total a sum that averages £20 per home match, then when they stop coming, you just cost yourself £50K income over the same period.

Whereas you will cost yourself a comparable sum in one season with the "free SL" deal.

It makes no sense to fsck over those people, whichever way you look at it.

It's actually a very good point. You're trying to sell people on potentially getting a free ticket next season, while at the same time shafting those who already have a ticket for this season and next. Whilst they have no obligation etc etc, it hardly sends out the "have trust in us to honour it" message does it?

Can you imagine now if the club wanted to sell multi season tickets again? Nobody who had heard about this would touch them.

A friend of mine had a multi year season ticket at Bradford City. He'd been watching them for more years than I've been alive. The new owners refused to honour them unless the ticket holders coughed up a certain amount extra (I don't think it was the full price, but they said they had to pay more). He hasn't been since, and that was quite a few years ago now. In fact, he's been lost to the sport entirely and now spends his spare time in his allotment instead.

It is a gamble. For 45 people, I would have either let it slide, or refunded them the £500 of the 2nd half of the ticket.

I can see why they've done it though. At £260 for a stand ticket, the club must be thinking "they paid £1000 and have got £1300 worth of product for it after 5 years. They're not going to demand the total £2600 for the £1000 they paid up front are they? especially when they know times are tight?"

That's a false economy though. The marketing & pr fallout, whilst not easily "cashed up" will wipe out any extra revenue the club could have squeezed out.

The point is those members have been lucky it's been honoured to date, Marc Green isn't taking that much of a gamble, a few may go off in a huff, but I suspect the majority will take it on the chin and continue supporting.

I agree, it just seems like a poor call from club when they're dealing with a relatively small but clearly very dedicated group of supporters. Surely they could of looked at offering the 10 year holders some sort of discount towards the next few years? I fully understand they have 'no obligation' but it seems short sighted stance to take. Especially since this guy has now raised the issue in LE and they have sought a public response from the club. Trust between the club and supporters isn't exactly sky high at the moment.

Agree with the general tone of comments so far.

Even Ryanair worked out that it isn't good business to "unnecessarily Pig off customers". For 45 people it's unnecessary and atrocious PR.

Give over. A few may go off in a huff? You think alienating some of your most loyal supporters is a good strategy? You think that won't make the other loyal supporters understand that they can't trust a word you say? Delusional.

If those tickets were not honoured when the first bout of admin occurred would said holders be walking away?

It isn't Marc Greens word, the fact he allowed until now is to his credit but with finances tight he is going to draw the line somewhere,

I would be more concerned with him fronting to up to HMRC and losing out then it would have been a moot point and it still may be.

I brought a 10 year ticket and was told that it would not be continued next season whilst it has p$£^d me off i will still be supporting the club but not with another season ticket. Its pay on the gate for me when i want to go.

Have the club made any approach to the owners of the 45 10 year season tickets? Surely they have at least offered the chance for a discussion with them before taking the decision?

No first I knew about it was when someone told me about the letter in the paper and saw comments on facebook.

Are you saying the club haven't even contacted the people with the 10 year season tickets to inform them?

The club believe everyone was told last year when we got our annual phone call asking if we wanted to pay to be members. Neither me or my dad recall having that conversation with them, but I do remember the call abouto me paying to be a member. Marc was very kind to offer to speak to me earlier and listen to my frustrations and why I was upset by it and I totally understand the clubs reasons. Whether it is cost effective for me to get a season ticket is another matter but Marc was very honest and his reasons for this are justifiable.

I must say you are being remarkably decent about this - I think I'd have been absolutely fuming!