Man City Tickets

[RobRoyal]

Just received an email with the following apology from JM. Rather more fullsome that I had expected, I must say (though there's still the unfortunate suggestion that, while it was a wrong call the club are satisfied with the decision they made). Sure this will be on the website soon.

We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in awaiting a reply to your email concerning the allocation of tickets for the FA Cup game at Manchester City on Sunday.
Please see below reply from our Chairman, Sir John Madejski:-

On behalf of Reading Football Club, Chairman Sir John Madejski would like to take the opportunity to apologise to any supporters who missed out on the chance to purchase tickets for Sunday's FA Cup game at Manchester City.

The club laid on free coach travel for this game at a considerable cost, and the generous offer was exceptionally well received, heightening demand beyond our expectations, with more than 1,600 fans taking the opportunity to travel for free.

The free coach travel offer has helped make Sunday our biggest away attendance in more than two years, and 2,836 Royals fans will be Eastlands on Sunday; more than three times the 912 that travelled to see us knock Everton out in the previous round.

Sir John said, "I would like to apologise to any supporters who wished to follow the team on Sunday but are unable to do so. Our ticket request to Manchester City was made with the best intentions, and the offer of free travel was a very commendable one, but we are sorry for what was of course a very genuine mistake.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I am sure that in the absence of free travel we got our calculations correct. We tried to do the right thing by our supporters but have probably been hoisted by our own petard. Generosity and helpfulness with one hand has led to demand outstripping supply on the other. Once the level of demand became obvious we left no stone unturned in an attempt to secure more tickets but to everybody's disappointment it was simply not possible.

"I was at the Ipswich game on Tuesday and although we only had 250 at the game they still gave us great backing. With so many at Sunday's game it will certainly be a fantastic occasion."

What has become clear is that the level of support from Reading fans will never cease to amaze; and there can be absolutely no doubt that our fans also love the FA Cup. Under Brian McDermott's management we have renewed our love affair with this competition and our supporters clearly have great faith and support for the team for this fixture.

It is important to mention that we have also noted supporters' comments about the Royalty Points structure for this game, and in hindsight we agree the process would have been better served if we had staggered the drop in points more steadily. This will be taken into account when setting our points structure for future games of this magnitude.

We know that our supporters at the game will make a big difference to the players; those at Everton outsang 29,000 home supporters to witness a magnificent victory. In turn, we know the players will do all they can to respond with a fitting performance of their own.

The Chairman added, "Brian McDermott and his team are aware of any disappointment felt by those who missed out on the chance to go on Sunday, but I know they will use that as a further incentive to try and gain the right result for everyone connected with the club."

[TFF]

dont suppose anyone's got a spare ticket for a mate of mine? bit of a long shot i know

LOL

[brendywendy]

dont suppose anyone's got a spare ticket for a mate of mine? bit of a long shot i know

yeah, make that two please, thatd be great

[southbank1871]

That's nice to see, finally an acceptance that mistakes were made. I still think he's wrong in suggesting that the free travel had a significant impact though, I believe we could have sold 5000 tickets even without that. The frequent mention of small away support is pertinent as well.

[Z175]

Just got my email of apology.

Well played Chairman.

[brendywendy]

Just received an email with the following apology from JM. Rather more fullsome that I had expected, I must say (though there's still the unfortunate suggestion that, while it was a wrong call the club are satisfied with the decision they made). Sure this will be on the website soon.

We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding in awaiting a reply to your email concerning the allocation of tickets for the FA Cup game at Manchester City on Sunday.
Please see below reply from our Chairman, Sir John Madejski:-

On behalf of Reading Football Club, Chairman Sir John Madejski would like to take the opportunity to apologise to any supporters who missed out on the chance to purchase tickets for Sunday's FA Cup game at Manchester City.

The club laid on free coach travel for this game at a considerable cost, and the generous offer was exceptionally well received, heightening demand beyond our expectations, with more than 1,600 fans taking the opportunity to travel for free.

The free coach travel offer has helped make Sunday our biggest away attendance in more than two years, and 2,836 Royals fans will be Eastlands on Sunday; more than three times the 912 that travelled to see us knock Everton out in the previous round.

Sir John said, "I would like to apologise to any supporters who wished to follow the team on Sunday but are unable to do so. Our ticket request to Manchester City was made with the best intentions, and the offer of free travel was a very commendable one, but we are sorry for what was of course a very genuine mistake.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I am sure that in the absence of free travel we got our calculations correct. We tried to do the right thing by our supporters but have probably been hoisted by our own petard. Generosity and helpfulness with one hand has led to demand outstripping supply on the other. Once the level of demand became obvious we left no stone unturned in an attempt to secure more tickets but to everybody's disappointment it was simply not possible.

"I was at the Ipswich game on Tuesday and although we only had 250 at the game they still gave us great backing. With so many at Sunday's game it will certainly be a fantastic occasion."

What has become clear is that the level of support from Reading fans will never cease to amaze; and there can be absolutely no doubt that our fans also love the FA Cup. Under Brian McDermott's management we have renewed our love affair with this competition and our supporters clearly have great faith and support for the team for this fixture.

It is important to mention that we have also noted supporters' comments about the Royalty Points structure for this game, and in hindsight we agree the process would have been better served if we had staggered the drop in points more steadily. This will be taken into account when setting our points structure for future games of this magnitude.

We know that our supporters at the game will make a big difference to the players; those at Everton outsang 29,000 home supporters to witness a magnificent victory. In turn, we know the players will do all they can to respond with a fitting performance of their own.

The Chairman added, "Brian McDermott and his team are aware of any disappointment felt by those who missed out on the chance to go on Sunday, but I know they will use that as a further incentive to try and gain the right result for everyone connected with the club."

fair play!
well done JM
though im sure plenty will still use this to slag him off.


lol at the sneeky dig about only 200 odd going to ipswich though

[Silver Fox]

^end of thread surely? Unless we're waiting for royalblue to apologise to Sir john?

[southbank1871]

^end of thread surely?

[adamh4608]

my ticket - puchased at about 12:20am tuesday - have arrived in the post today.

[Royal Lady]

Nice one Mr Mad. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

[Svlad Cjelli]

Nice one Mr Mad. Thank you for getting a lackey who understands PR to respond in your name.

[Royal Lady]

Nice one Mr Mad. Thank you for getting a lackey who understands PR to respond in your name.

You said it!

[Jackson Corner]

Mine arrived this morning by the way........

OMFG! Really? When did you order them? Were they sent first class?

I orderd them Monday arrived first class.

[Z175]

That's nice to see, finally an acceptance that mistakes were made. I still think he's wrong in suggesting that the free travel had a significant impact though, I believe we could have sold 5000 tickets even without that. The frequent mention of small away support is pertinent as well.

I think the excuses are quite understandable. Its just that they are excuses for a mistake and its nice to see the chairman come in admit this and commit to improvements in royalty point systems and forecasting.

[brendywendy]

^end of thread surely? Unless we're waiting for royalblue to apologise to Sir john?

im not moving till i see a a video of him hand delivering his apology letter to JM himself

[Wizard]

I ordered my Barnsley tickets before the Man City ones even went on sale. Wouldn't normally be an issue but I am away from Sunday and wont be returning home before the game. What can I do if they don't arrive tomorrow or Saturday?

By the way, I appreciate wrong match thread, but it is still a pertinent question I think.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

you can contact the club and pick ticket up at Barsnley.

[26-10-06]

ARRIVED

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

ARRIVED

You have whizzys Barnsley ticket, another cock up from RFC then.

[Schards#2]

Nice one Mr Mad. Thank you for getting a lackey who understands PR to respond in your name.

Personally, i'm just pleased to see the club acknowledge that they have made a mistake rather than implying they have been right all along.