Quote: Dave T "The crowds for semi finals can be artificially reduced though by being in these small grounds.
By limiting the initial allocation to season ticket holders getting 1 each it does lower the crowd. I understand why they do it, and agree with benefits to ST holders, but it does artificially limit the crowd.
In our group who went to Magic on Saturday, only half of them were season ticket holders. This now means that our group of 10/11 won't be able to go and get seats together for the semi final. My mum for example wouldn't go and not sit with my dad who is a season ticket holder.
By playing the semi finals in small grounds with low allocations it does limit the number of people who will attend.
Semi finals should be a party atmosphere where you can attend with your friends and family, and maybe seen as an attempt to convert a few lapsed or new fans, but I don't think it achieves this at the moment.
Sure we'll sell 6k or so and everybody will make out that the number is those who were interested, but the reality is that in different circumstances the potential Wire crowd is 10-12k, and that is proven.'"
Got to agree Dave. If we can take 5000+ to Manchester for a league game that we were very strong favourites for then surely we ought to have ambitions of being able to at least double that for an exciting semi final that could easily go either way and brings the reward of a place at Wembley rather than just 2 points. Your argument about the casual fans being put off is spot on.
One query on seated tickets - does anyone know if they are Reserved or Unreserved?