I think it's fair enough to invite season ticket holders only because there really has been no tangible benefit to being a season ticket holder in recent years. What did you actually get for being a season ticket holder? Fiver off a shirt. Entrance to all home games. Anything else special? The board are trying to give season ticket holders a higher status and are right to do so in my opinion. In fact I'd go further and give people who have been season ticket holders for 10 years access to the Coral Stand for free for the poorer games.

I didn't get a season ticket last year (so I'm knackered if they use my idea!) because of the turmoil but also because there was no financial benefit (paid on gate for first half of season and got the half season ticket) and there was no advantage to being a season ticket holder anyway.

I don't think its a case of not being loyal. There have been many loyal fans over recent years and I would imagine that you have been one of many.

I think the difference is that you have chosen to invest in the club at a time which is convenient to you (i.e. you can make a game etc) whereas other have invested in the club in advance. This is absolutely your choice and your prerogative to do so and I don't think anyone would argue that this is not the actions of a disloyal fan.

However it is also the prerogative of the club and their new owners to incentivise people to invest in the club earlier via ST's and I see this exclusive forum being one of them. Added value is something that is used widely in business and running the club as a business is an absolute necessity if we are to survive.

I would also imagine that the owners are trying to do everything in their power to sell as many ST's at a time where no other income is forthcoming.

This has obviously upset some on here, but likewise many now feel that their decision to invest has been recognised and appreciated via this offering. I think it has been said earlier but the club will chose to reward those they feel most valuable to the club (and the business) at the time. Later in the season i imagine that focus will switch to non-season ticket holders in the form of discounted tickets and selected game packages.

As and when that happens I wonder how many non-ST holders will complain of bias then?

Isn't the main reward of getting a season ticket the reduced cost per game against paying per game.

I'd say that was the main reward but i think that more than ever added value needs to be provided. I think this is a contributing factor to why more season tickets (or memberships as I've heard them frequently referred as) haven't been sold.

I do think this is a membership /business tactic, something I have knowledge of (those who know me will be aware that I operate and manage large sports and leisure facilities so I understand the market of adding value to membership based operations very well). Not to everyones taste I appreciate but from a business sense one which does make sense.

I'm grateful to be appreciated in this way but I can understand yours and others frustrations also.

Having been to the majority of these forums before I don't think you'll miss anything (although I get that isn't your point) but i'd be happy to relay anything on here during the forum itself, if this would at all help?

I'd also like to point out that I think its a great step not having pre-arranged questions as this has in the past allowed the management to by-pass some tricky subjects.

I haven't decided if I'll go yet - being a season ticket holder I can have that choice you see, let them eat cake, whatwhatwhat - but I do hope they pass a mic around this time, the last few have just ended up as a shouting match between those in the first few rows. Not to mention "the regulars" on the front row who seem to think the forum is a chance for them to have a nice one-on-one chat for an hour with the top table about how much of a devoted superfan they are.

Can somebody please ask that clown Duffy why, after years of bad PR and complete fabrication, why he still continues to steal a wage from the club?

He is as much of a neccessity as an ice cube seller in the Arctic yet still he remains at the club.

What Bullinenemyland said.

You have to appreciate that from the club's point of view, there are a number of different "groups" of supporters.

Die Hards. The "go to every game" crew. The "buy every shirt" crew. Turn up to every match from Finals, to Catalan away, to a friendly at London in the snow.

Season Ticket Holders who attend most or all home games, some away games, buy a replica shirt and a polo shirt, have a pint and a burger at every home game.

"Go when they can" fans. Attend most home games, but can't always make them, so don't buy a season ticket. Occasional away games too. Might buy some merchandise.

Fairweather fans. Those who only go when we're winning. Different degrees obviously from those who only go when we're top of the league, to those who go if we won the last match, to those who judge it on the weather or if Corrie is on at the same time.

Of course then you've got people that fall somewhere inbetween each of those, as well as sponsors and board members etc. (you could go on for years). But when the club look at the group of fans they think will respond most to them, and deserve the rewards more, they're going to look to the top end of the scale. Since it's difficult to differentiate between Die Hards and standard Season Ticket holders, they'll just use the very very simple database that says if you're a season ticket holder or not. They're not suggesting people in the "go when they can" area aren't loyal or just as big a fan. But if they want to aim at some and not others, they have to judge it on something. Anyone who thinks that judging it by "season ticket or not" criteria isn't the easiest way to do that, quite frankly, is a little blinkered.

Why don't you go and ask him yourself?

Let us know when you find the bottle to ask him to his face, as I'm sure a few on this fans forum would like to see it!

Is this forum turning in to the T&A comments section?

There used to be more reasoned debate and less silliness.

Ha. Nice.

I don't think they've ever been mutually exclusive on here. The local newspaper is almost exclusively for weirdos and malcontents. Whereas on here I feel I can engage with you thoughtfully, but then also call you a poo poo face.

Well, certainly not for me, and I doubt it is for that many.

First, a high slice of those who are going to buy a ST anyway, will buy at early bird discount price. Now THAT is good value, if you are gonna buy a ST anyway. Which I always have.

But, there are those who don't buy a ST early, cos they can't afford it (which I don't believe is true for most fans; if you know you will be buying a ST next October, save up for it; or take the easy payment plan; or get it on a credit card. This is not to deny that there are [isome[/i people who have no choice but to pay on the gate, yet go to every game; but even those if they thought about it are choosing a rather expensive route).

Anyhoo, these ST purchasers won't know the fixture list, but like me, there is usually at least 2 games that I can't attend, due to holiday etc., and so bang largely goes my 'value'. Then, I am one of those dumb enough to buy the top dollar seats and the large price tag of those means "reduced cost per game" isn't really the point. But the main point is that most people do go on holiday etc and most people won't see every game so the reduced cost isn't as reduced as it seems at first glance.

I buy my ST early because I am gonna get one anyway, and it helps the club. People who haven't got a ST yet may be hanging on to see how things pan out, what players we sign, etc etc and if so fair enough but that is their choice, and this is a completely avoidable consequence of making that choice. If the whole thing goes don the toilet, for example, between now and Feb, then I accept I've done my cash. Ya pays yer money and takes yer chance.

What about those of us who only go when someone else is paying?

Hint: unlike the T&A forum, here you can "switch off" any poster whose comments you have no interest in seeing. Automatic silliness filter, if you like. (And yes I do know there'd be no comments left on the T&A if they had that

)

I've rung to check, and they confirm that butlers are of course allowed, though must stand at the back to one side.

My apologies, I should have included the "Tight gits" category

I was comforted by buying my ST on a credit card. Should there be no team next season, which was more in doubt at the time of purchase than now, then I can reclaim the cost from the Credit Card company under S75 of the Consumer Credit Act

from what I have just been told this meeting could be cancelled / will be fireworks if goes ahead.

Fairly reliable source says there was a meeting today between directors and players - anyone heard about this?

uh oh! Sounds interesting. Or of course could be balls. I might be ar5ed turning up now!

Because I am not a season ticket holder?

I wonder if he would have to bottle to tell us all why he used to have a lackey on here who got banned for telling me to go and commit suicide?

The same lackey who he regularly used to post things on the board that were complete lies so that he could have a laugh about it with her?

Great example.

Ok then, why not email Stuart Duffy your question directly? It's not hard to get his email address, after all, he'll give it out to anyone who asks.

But you won't do that as you're the classic example of a keyboard warrior. Cocky, arrogant swagger sat in your chair in front of a screen, but would never ever even think about voicing those things out loud that you're so eager to type.

I once confronted Brian Mcdermott at a Harlequins RL forum.......I now live in New Zealand

That explains a lot