Ah, but that is the sensible approach, judging a season by what actually happens, instead of simply slating things from the sidelines.

I have many gripes with FC, but I hope for better on the pitch next season, that is (ultimately) all I care about.

Quote: hullbg "Wigan have already announced record sales this season Saints season ticket sales had outstripped last year's by mid November, despite the move to Widnes: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 207188.stm

Quote: hullbg "Wigan have already announced record sales this season Saints season ticket sales had outstripped last year's by mid November, despite the move to Widnes: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 207188.stm

Salford sales up 85% on same time last year: reds.originalreddevils.com/2010/ ... ough-roof/ If our sales are down it looks like we can forget the idea that it's down to the economy

Salford sales up 85% on same time last year: reds.originalreddevils.com/2010/ ... ough-roof/ If our sales are down it looks like we can forget the idea that it's down to the economy

As i said early in the thread, the economy downturn was 2009 and would have impacted last years pass sales, which touched a record 9500. This year when they are significantly down it cant be put down to economy in it's entirity

Disagree on that. Hull's biggest employers are Police, Health Service and Hull CC. They have only just been told about the cuts that are required. Try telling the 1000's of residents in Hull who are about to lose their jobs over the next 2 years that the down turn was a thing of 2009.

Spot on. And it's not just limited to Hull, either. The last Government pumped plenty of money into the public sector to cushion the impact of the economic slowdown and didn't implement any cuts before they were ousted. For many people the bad times are only just about to kick in. I fully expected a drop in pass sales this season on just economic grounds alone.

That's not to say that there may not be some effect from relatively low profile signings and general disenchantment, but the drop in pass sales in and of itself is proof of nothing one way or another. Better to see how overall attendances go and, more importantly, how they compare to other clubs before coming to a conclusion IMO.

Quote: Kosh "Spot on. And it's not just limited to Hull, either. The last Government pumped plenty of money into the public sector to cushion the impact of the economic slowdown and didn't implement any cuts before they were ousted. For many people the bad times are only just about to kick in. I fully expected a drop in pass sales this season on just economic grounds alone. That's not to say that there may not be some effect from relatively low profile signings and general disenchantment, but the drop in pass sales in and of itself is proof of nothing one way or another. Better to see how overall attendances go and, more importantly, how they compare to other clubs before coming to a conclusion IMO.'" Spot on. We got record season pass sales off the back of finishing 12th. In some ways, possibly an expectation that things couldn't get any worse plus the much-hyped marquee signings supported this. Bit like what Salford are seeing now plus the stadium impact. Wigan will probably sweep all before them and obviously Bradford have a great offer on. Mid-table mediocrity is probably the least conducive prospect to spark sales. www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... ticle.html Sounds like we'll certainly be down on last year as we'd done 7,500 by 23rd December last year, but it really shows how big the step up was for 2010 vs 2009 - we sold 8300 in total for 2009 but 9500 IIRC for 2010. Guess as it's only 3 weeks to the end of the discount period we'll know soon enough.

Quote: Kosh "Spot on. And it's not just limited to Hull, either. The last Government pumped plenty of money into the public sector to cushion the impact of the economic slowdown and didn't implement any cuts before they were ousted. For many people the bad times are only just about to kick in. I fully expected a drop in pass sales this season on just economic grounds alone. That's not to say that there may not be some effect from relatively low profile signings and general disenchantment, but the drop in pass sales in and of itself is proof of nothing one way or another. Better to see how overall attendances go and, more importantly, how they compare to other clubs before coming to a conclusion IMO.'" Spot on. We got record season pass sales off the back of finishing 12th. In some ways, possibly an expectation that things couldn't get any worse plus the much-hyped marquee signings supported this. Bit like what Salford are seeing now plus the stadium impact. Wigan will probably sweep all before them and obviously Bradford have a great offer on. Mid-table mediocrity is probably the least conducive prospect to spark sales. www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... ticle.html Sounds like we'll certainly be down on last year as we'd done 7,500 by 23rd December last year, but it really shows how big the step up was for 2010 vs 2009 - we sold 8300 in total for 2009 but 9500 IIRC for 2010. Guess as it's only 3 weeks to the end of the discount period we'll know soon enough.

and unemployment rose dramatically in hull in 2009 too through lots of smaller companies going out of business. It's hitting some larger employers now but it did hit a similar number of people in 2009 believe it or not. I remember debates on here about how rugby fans buy a pass no matter what and some would make major sacrifices to keep going. Definately hit plenty in 2009

just to add to this too. Where did i say the downturn had finished and wouldn't carry on for a couple of years yet? My points was that the downturn hit last year and pass sales were at a record. The down turn is continuing and pass sales look low. I think the downturn cannot be used as an excuse for low pass sales. Yes it's a factor but on last years evidence i wouldn't say a major one.

I disagree. If you look at a lot of economic indicators we're only just starting to feel a real consumer pinch because people are worried about cuts and rising costs. IMO the economic squeeze is a bigger factor than over the last two years, although not the sole one.

For me it's just the lack of entertainment, some games were really tedious and for certain sky games near the end of the season just watched the game in the pub even though I had a season ticket, aswell as not being a massive fan of Friday nights, especially the lower profile games like Cats, Quins etc were the atmosphere is poor coupled with the boring rugby I just don't think it's worth paying.

That said season tickets are just a way of making the customer commit, I still intend to go to games I just don't want to be in a situation were I have to if we are still churning out the rubbish we did at times last season, if people are paying in at the gate it won't do the club harm, just a lot will depend on what happens on the field in my opinion, obviously the economic climate and the weather will have played a small part, but I have spoken to many people who feel the same and if there is a major drop in pass sales I don't think it's a coincidence.

Like many on here, I only renewed to keep my seat

Quote: Kosh "I disagree. If you look at a lot of economic indicators we're only just starting to feel a real consumer pinch because people are worried about cuts and rising costs. IMO the economic squeeze is a bigger factor than over the last two years, although not the sole one.'" www.thisismoney.co.uk/credit-crisis They seem to think the real pinch was felt in 2009 and 2010 was a year of recovery. (as do most of the analysts across the Financial Services) I agree that predicted further tax hikes etc in 2011 and predicted public sector job losses increase nervousness and with it people may decide to not buy a pass but that same nervousness existed in 2009 imo. Thats the point i'm trying to make. Whats really different now vs 2009 other than the fact the recession has been around for 2 years rather than been a new thing? I genuinly dont think it's a bigger squeeze now than it was, issue as i say is maybe that it's a more prolonged one.

Quote: Kosh "I disagree. If you look at a lot of economic indicators we're only just starting to feel a real consumer pinch because people are worried about cuts and rising costs. IMO the economic squeeze is a bigger factor than over the last two years, although not the sole one.'" www.thisismoney.co.uk/credit-crisis They seem to think the real pinch was felt in 2009 and 2010 was a year of recovery. (as do most of the analysts across the Financial Services) I agree that predicted further tax hikes etc in 2011 and predicted public sector job losses increase nervousness and with it people may decide to not buy a pass but that same nervousness existed in 2009 imo. Thats the point i'm trying to make. Whats really different now vs 2009 other than the fact the recession has been around for 2 years rather than been a new thing? I genuinly dont think it's a bigger squeeze now than it was, issue as i say is maybe that it's a more prolonged one.

This thread illustrates perfectly the trance-like state of perpetual rationalisation that most posters are in, somehow unwilling to accept that the playing side of the club has been run in anything other than the supporters' best interests during the Rule/Agar reign.

If pass sales are significantly down we should be happy since it shows that the fanbase has sent for the first time a clear message to the management that their performance is deeply unsatisfactory.

Instead we have people claiming that a 20% drop in sales would be fine, that the economy is the major factor in the lack of uptake (ignoring all evidence to the contrary), ignoring or playing down the fact that at least 4 clubs we know of are selling more tickets than last year, even going so far as to claim pass sales aren't an important indicator of supporter satisfaction after all.

It would be fairly easy for the Hull club to contact all the non season pass renewers and carry out a simple survey (email or postal) to find out exactly why people who previously held a pass decided to not renew.

You will find a mixture of all the above mentionned reasons included I am sure.