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.

Agree, and exactly my point... not solely down to the economy. I'm not letting FC blind us with that excuse when the reality is a section of fans are finally voting with their feet.

The economic effect will be felt much more this time round than last year. It won't be the sole reason though, maybe the lack of signings coming in could be a reason although last time we had finished in 12th and this time we have finished in 6th. People have less and less disposable income and watching RL is not a priority, I was really close to not renewing this season but it had nothing to do with Agar and the team.

We should be happy that our club will have less money to spend?

Really?

Yes why not? Given that it's not going to send the club into financial meltdown and it's the most effective way of letting the board know supporters aren't happy I think it's a good thing. IMO if the club has less money to spend due to selling less pass sales the board are to blame not the people who don't buy the passes.

Tell you what, i'll take 20% of your income away,

Lets see you in financial meltdown

Perhaps the most pointless and irrelevant post I've ever seen on this board.

1) My financial situation has no relevance to that of Hull FC's
2) We were discussing income from season ticket sales not overall income.

I have emailed the club re Agar many times and even spoken to Rule on the phone having him swear blind to me for 10 minutes that Agar is the best thing since sliced bread. I haven't attended a forum because on the radio they come across like one of those southern state evangelical conferences that you see on the god channel.

Everyone is entitled to spend their money how they like but you saying that my viewpoint is ridiculous is not on. You have a fairly old-fashioned view of what it is to be a supporter (but no less valid), mine is the more modern one that supporters at the end of the day are consumers. I don't think anyone can argue that by the continued retention of Agar the board are giving the fans what they want, so eventually the good will runs out and it costs them in pass sales, that's their fault not the consumer's in my opinion.

If you think the only people who are true fans are those who stick to the 'In any kind of weather' mantra, hand their money over and accept whatever they are given then fair enough but IMO you couldn't be more wrong.