Season ticket holders

[EFMTFTV]

When the club put the price up to £18 I felt, and a lot of people I know did as well, that the club felt they could charge what they they want and have this unwavering support
After all we all swallowed the £12 mid-season price rise and the rise to £15 with little dissent

I felt they didn't expect the backlash from that price rise and rather than listen to the people that stopped coming they vilified them and made them out to be the baddies

I spoke to many ST holders that season, they weren't happy with the rise but seeing St Albans City was their weekend, they still went and the ST was their way of paying less

Just like the casual fan that turns up at 1455 on a Saturday or comes every so often or doesn't go to enough games to warrant a ST, the club is now attacking our loyal ST holders like they attacked us

I struggled to find the prices of a ST online for 20/21, you can still buy one on the ticket portal for £250 and there was an article saying the prices were frozen from 19/20 when they cost £282 or £250 early bird

So I'm going to assume they were £250

60% pro-rata refund which you have to beg for, they weren't exactly forthcoming answering e-mails for the remainder of the 19/20 season were they?

You are paying £100 for 8 home games, 1 you could attend and 7 that were streamed with questionable success

That's £12.50 a game, the streams cost £6.99 on the day
People buy ST's to save money not spend more

And I bet a fair number or you donated the remainder of the 19/20 season to the club

The club is being very clever here by attacking the most loyal of fans because they know you probably will be back next season regardless, if you go enough you'll buy another ST, by not buying one you'll be cutting your nose off to spite your face by paying the price on the gate, which will mean you end up paying more, and you all stayed when 100s boycotted due to the price so you need this club in your life

Don't believe their sob stories about money, this was a club that would have happily kept playing with no revenue this season, this is a club that was happy to see overall gate revenue drop rather than admit they made a mistake putting the prices up

If I was a ST holder (which i was prior to the £18 price rise season) I'd be getting together and looking at action

[albanian]

I'm surprised by the lack of outrage at this.

A casual fan could have streamed/attended all games for £65. Season ticket holders have paid £100 and been made to go out of their way to get the other £150 back.

It's such a kick in the teeth for our most loyal fanbase. As EFMTFTV said I think they've realised they can get away with pretty much anything when it comes to ST holders. Would be interesting to see how far is too far with some people.

[lagerman]

I agree, this is a poor, poor situation, the more l think about it and the more I've read about it and what everyone is Quite rightly saying.
I'm not happy having to write to the Club, but l want something back and I'm determined to get it.
I will still always be a Saints fan, l have the blue and yellow going through my veins like most of us, but yes, the way things have gone on at the Club, and now this, it really saddens me.

[lagerman]

Is there going to be something official on the Clubs website about this ?
l feel there should be, and an email address for writing in to.
I couldn't see one on the Clubs website ?

[albanian]

Maybe try [e-mail]
It's the email address on the facebook page

[lagerman]

Apr 24, 2021 12:32:45 GMT albanian said:

Maybe try [e-mail]
It's the email address on the facebook page

Oh, is it. Thanks Albanian

[euclid]

Considering the Club have a 'Head of Communications', perhaps he should be considering his future as yet again the Club have failed miserably to communicate a simple matter and have now managed to annoy long term STH's. If he was serious about his role, he'd have his own e-mail address where the likes of us can contact him, instead of hiding !!
Only thing he's done since arriving at the Club is sacking Dave Tavener. He like the owners seem to have no grasp of reality concerning supporters concerns.

The term 'legacy fans' has been circling around this week with all the European Super League nonsense. Seems to be the way the Club is going now. Get rid of the old and bring in the new !!

I'm very glad the Trust are being invited to meetings, but the cynic in me suggests that they will be ignored !!

[cityfan]

Yet another kick in the teeth, sadly it doesn’t even come as a surprise anymore.

From the Trust minutes “ IR asked what other clubs were offering their season ticket holders? TC replied it was similar to that we are doing or asking for donations.”

I see EFMTFTV has started a thread on the CS Forum to gain an idea of what other clubs are doing. So far it appears no club is ‘doing similar to what we are doing’ as Tony Colbourne suggests.

[lagerman]

Well, l have emailed the Club for my 60% pro rata refund, so I'll see what happens.
If l don't get anything or have any trouble with them in getting it, even l may not be back, as much as l love the Club.
It shouldn't have got to this stage to be honest, we should have automatically had refunds issued back to us, rather than us having to go to the Club, but, well, let's see what happens now

[saint68]

I've been thinking about what this deal means for existing Season Ticket Holders choosing to renew, as I doubt with all the uncertainty concerning Covid there were many new applicants this time last year.

I paid £180.00 having received a discount after the disruption in the Spring of 2020. The Club is offering a 60% refund, which is £108.00, charging us £72.00 for the 1 Home League match we were able to attend and the other 7 that were streamed. This works out as £16.50 for the match we were able to attend and £7.93 for each of the 7 game streamed. If you take out the Chelmsford game where the feed died after 2 minutes and never returned, we paid £9.25 for 6 matches streamed (If I've worked any of this out wrong, please feel free to correct me!). This means we paid more than one-off viewers (e.g. Away supporters) who were charged £6.99 per match.

This is not a generous deal! I hoped but didn't really expect that we'd follow Hemel and Hitchin's example of renewing Season Tickets for free, but I expected better than this.

I guess it's make-your-mind-up time for us all again, just as it was two years ago when the price increase was first introduced and the Club began to seriously alienate a significant part of it's support. We have to face the fact that this is the new St. Albans City F.C. and it isn't going to change. The owners are not going anywhere soon. They have a clear view on the way forward and an absolute certainty that it's the correct way. They appear to be not bothered about the loss of 200+ supporters, presumably believing that success is near and either the fans will return or will be replaced in sufficient numbers.

Personally, I will probably renew. I started watching City in 1968 and have been coming for most seasons since then and just can't bring myself to find a new club or spend my Saturday afternoons watching Gillette Soccer Saturday. For those who have chosen to boycott or have just been put off by all that's happened I understand and support your views, but don't be too hard on those of us who will keep going to Clarence Park. Silence doesn't always mean consent.

[EFMTFTV]

Your last sentence is basically what I'm saying in my bit up the top of this page, why would you / should you give up on something that has been your life since 1968, and they are banking on people like you just swallowing all they throw at you

I don't have any solution, the boycott has worn a lot of people down and they miss their Saturdays at the park, I can see people slowly returning

A couple of other things to note:
In this article on the website from October 6th 2020 - www.stalbanscityfc.com/club-statement-live-streaming-service/

Viewing this live stream and all of The Saints’ National League home games played behind closed doors is free to all Season Ticket holders.

As ST holders you were not expected to pay for this service

You are being charged 40% of whatever you paid for your ST for the game vs Tonbridge Angels, one game

[EFMTFTV]

I don't know how much energy people have for this but my suggestions

Check the small print on the ST to see if there is any kind of wording about pro-rata refunds if the games don't happen etc (for example, a friend of mine has a debenture at AFC Wimbledon and he knew that he wouldn't be getting a refund should the games not happen)

Contact trading standards
If you paid on credit card, look at claiming the money back under section 75 laws

Contact the football supporters association at: thefsa.org.uk/contact/

[headcontainer]

Apr 26, 2021 15:25:08 GMT EFMTFTV said:

I don't know how much energy people have for this but my suggestions

Check the small print on the ST to see if there is any kind of wording about pro-rata refunds if the games don't happen etc (for example, a friend of mine has a debenture at AFC Wimbledon and he knew that he wouldn't be getting a refund should the games not happen)

Contact trading standards
If you paid on credit card, look at claiming the money back under section 75 laws

Contact the football supporters association at: thefsa.org.uk/contact/

get in touch with Jonathan Vernon Smith on 3 counties radio he help you out

[manfrommars]

Apr 26, 2021 17:37:02 GMT headcontainer said:

Apr 26, 2021 15:25:08 GMT EFMTFTV said:

I don't know how much energy people have for this but my suggestions

Check the small print on the ST to see if there is any kind of wording about pro-rata refunds if the games don't happen etc (for example, a friend of mine has a debenture at AFC Wimbledon and he knew that he wouldn't be getting a refund should the games not happen)

Contact trading standards
If you paid on credit card, look at claiming the money back under section 75 laws

Contact the football supporters association at: thefsa.org.uk/contact/

get in touch with Jonathan Vernon Smith on 3 counties radio he help you out

Yes I can vouch for that, JVS consumer programme is excellent and he won't stop till it's sorted. 11-12.30 on 3CR Monday-Friday. You can Email them as well.

[EFMTFTV]

Sadly, I'm not a ST holder. I feel this would be better coming from someone who is

[casper]

www.stalbanscityfc.com/information-for-season-ticket-holders/

Information for Season Ticket Holders regarding season tickets purchased for the 2020/21 season.

Holders of current Season Tickets for the 2020/21 season may apply to receive a pro-rata refund on the cost of their ticket, following the declaration that the season is null and void.

Season Ticket Holders that require a refund may apply by emailing: [e-mail]

Alternatively, Season Ticket Holders may opt to take a credit against the cost of a season ticket for the 2021/22 season, which will be in addition to the 10% renewal discount.

The refund / credit will be 60% of the value of their current ticket. Refunds and requests for credit will be processed within 14 days of the club receiving all required information.

Refunds are not being offered for Club Memberships purchased, which remain active and can still be used to obtain discounts including from the current online store at: www.musicglue.com/st-albans-city-fc

Prices for next year’s Season Tickets have been held and will be on sale in May 2021. The prices are:

Price Renewal (10% discount)
Adult. £250 £225
Concession *£165. £148.50
Student in full-time education £50. £45
Under 16s **£50. £45

Under 12s ***FREE. FREE

Family purchases are also discounted – one or more adults and one or more juniors (under 12s/under 16s). A purchase of two adult and two under 16 is reduced to £520 (£468 on renewal) and a purchase of one adult and one under 16 ticket is reduced to £280 (£252 on renewal).

Club members may purchase season tickets with a 10% discount.

* Concessions for league games include:

Seniors aged 65 and over

Unemployed (JSA recipients)

Personal Indépendence Payments recipients

NHS and Blue Light Services staff members

Serving Members of the Armed Forces

Season ticket holders of Watford, Luton Town and Stevenage

** On presentation of current student identity card

*** When purchased with an adult ticket

[lagerman]

I've just gone for a monetorial refund to my bank rather than against a new season ticket, cos I'm just not sure what's going to happen with covid.
I don't what other current season ticket holders think, that's getting away from any arguments over what the Club are doing.
I mean just opinions on getting a season ticket again, the risk, with covid still around, although not as prevalent as it once was, but further outbreaks of it still possible ?
I suppose it's a case of see what things are like nearer the start of the season.
I do want to buy a season ticket again,
but .....

[EFMTFTV]

I don't think I'd buy a ST on account of them stealing my money should the season be voided again

[brummie]

^ With India being a basket case Covid wise that is not an impossibility. I hope it doesn't but it would not surprise me if we went into another wave of the virus in the Autumn

[manfrommars]

And still continuing to play the richest cricket tournament while a country is on it's knees in a pandemic. Just shows that it's all about the money doesn't it.

[jj123]

Didn’t think it was possible for our club to sink any lower but these absolute morons have succeeded.

[theduke]

Apr 27, 2021 22:13:38 GMT jj123 said:

Didn’t think it was possible for our club to sink any lower but these absolute morons have succeeded.

I was a bit worried that with the season ended the Saints Moan brigade wouldn't have anything to moan about.

But I underestimated your determination. Nothing can stop the moaners.

[saintsdad]

Apr 28, 2021 7:10:34 GMT theduke said:

Apr 27, 2021 22:13:38 GMT jj123 said:

Didn’t think it was possible for our club to sink any lower but these absolute morons have succeeded.

I was a bit worried that with the season ended the Saints Moan brigade wouldn't have anything to moan about.

But I underestimated your determination. Nothing can stop the moaners.

The season ended, the owners haven't

[jj123]

Apr 28, 2021 7:10:34 GMT theduke said:

Apr 27, 2021 22:13:38 GMT jj123 said:

Didn’t think it was possible for our club to sink any lower but these absolute morons have succeeded.

I was a bit worried that with the season ended the Saints Moan brigade wouldn't have anything to moan about.

But I underestimated your determination. Nothing can stop the moaners.

Haha what a clown you are.

[albanian]

Apr 28, 2021 7:10:34 GMT theduke said:

I was a bit worried that with the season ended the Saints Moan brigade wouldn't have anything to moan about.

But I underestimated your determination. Nothing can stop the moaners.

Do you think it's fair that season ticket holders have paid £100 to attend one game (and stream the other 7), when a non-season ticket holder could have done the same for £65?

[headcontainer]

You should be talking to trading standards not us

[EFMTFTV]

Apr 28, 2021 7:10:34 GMT theduke said:

Apr 27, 2021 22:13:38 GMT jj123 said:

Didn’t think it was possible for our club to sink any lower but these absolute morons have succeeded.

I was a bit worried that with the season ended the Saints Moan brigade wouldn't have anything to moan about.

But I underestimated your determination. Nothing can stop the moaners.

I was more than happy to listen to the defenders of the £18 admission and there were a few, albeit mainly people closely associated with the owners, I'd like to hear the people defending this, you are clearly one of them, so I'm all ears

[EFMTFTV]

Re: Membership, this is what you got...... (and in bold what you didn't get)

Membership savings (only available on production of a valid membership card):

10% discount on the purchase of your annual season ticket So the club will only be stealing £90 of your ST price (even though you paid £25 for this)
10% discount for pre-purchased match day tickets (up to 4 per match) 1 game x 4, 65p discount a ticket, assuming you went and with 4 people - £2.60
10% discount on all purchases at the MegaShed on match days and online The 'benefit' the club says is still live and is justifying them stealing your £25, so you need to spend £250 in the mega shed to break even
10% discount on all player sponsorship packages Can't see much uptake on this and there is only 18 or so players so hardly going to be a massive uptake over the membership
10% discount on all mascot packages 1 game played with mascots
10% discount on all hospitality packages 1 game played with hospitality
50p discount on any pint/glass of wine purchased in the clubhouse and pitch-side bars on match-days (members aged 18 and over) ** 1 game played so 50p
FREE copy of Football Manager 21 (under 16s members-only and subject to availability) The kids may have done better out the scheme then
FREE access to the Saints Fantasy Football League (which includes monthly prizes) Is this actually a thing? and would you pay £25 to be in it
FREE admission to any Watford Under 23 matches at Clarence Park Whole season played behind closed doors

[bob666]

At the risk of being unpopular I just brought a season ticket/membership for next season. After the various discounts it worked at £90 for the pair. I wonder if communication of the decision and the fact you had to ask for the discount rather than having it automatically applied is actually more of a issue than the level of discount? At least to me, given the financial shocks the club has suffered, 90 quid seemed fair and reasonable burden sharing.

[lagerman]

May 1, 2021 21:14:49 GMT bob666 said:

At the risk of being unpopular I just brought a season ticket/membership for next season. After the various discounts it worked at £90 for the pair. I wonder if communication of the decision and the fact you had to ask for the discount rather than having it automatically applied is actually more of a issue than the level of discount? At least to me, given the financial shocks the club has suffered, 90 quid seemed fair and reasonable burden sharing.

Season tickets for next season are on sale now are they ?
I hadn't seen anything about that other than the option of getting the 60% pro rata refund off next seasons season ticket if you were a season ticket holder from last season.
I'm just in 2 minds still, at the moment, l just want to see how this covid situation pans out over the next couple of months first.