Priority for away tickets next season

[riverroyal]

Apologies if this has already been discussed but has any one noticed that next season you need to be a season ticket AND have a certain amount of Royalty points to be able to to buy away tickets . . . .

"Ticket priority for high demand away matches. From next season, both season ticket status and number of Royalty Points will be used as criteria for key away games. Season ticket holders are being rewarded with the highest possible priority, in conjunction with their Royalty Points, as opposed to Royalty Points being the sole criteria used"

[Dare to Dr£am]

Buy a season ticket.

[Silver Fox]

Perectly reasonable

[1871 Royal]

For what it is the season ticket prices are not expensive. See http://hobnob.royals.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=111815

[Rex]

Looking forward to those wishing to sit in their designated seat.

[Billy The Fish]

Perectly reasonable

No it's not!

Assuming we go up to the Prem next year, then someone who has been to many games both home and away over the last few Championship seasons, gets lower priority than a glory-hunting new STH who may have never been to ANY games before?

Poor attempt by the club to blackmail us into renewing if you ask me.

[Rex]

Then they will simply have minimal points if we go back to a point allocated priority system. It is a fair system as those who have supported the team but do not attend away games as regularly as other supporters and stand a better chance.
Where is the problem with that.
It simply rewards those who either have been to more away matches (logical) or those who hit the high 1800 points needed for priority allocation.

[M-U-R-T-Y]

Don't we have to sell out allocations for this to be a problem?

[East Grinstead Royal]

The only reason I got back into having a ST ten years ago was to ensure priority for important away games (it worked - I was at Griffin Park on the final day of the season!). I miss too many home games (work and family commitments) for it to be financially viable and, ten years ago, there was rarely any issue around being able to get a ticket, and seating was always unreserved. Giving STHs priority seems sensible now as it did then. It's clear and unambiguous, whereas the whole Royalty points thing has always struck me as confusing. That said, I do understand BtF's point... but how many non-STHs go to lots of away games anyway? Exiles, Northern Royals, I suppose, but there's likely to be less demand for those games anyway.

A colleague of mine has an Away ST at Arsenal. Maybe RFC should think about bringing that idea back. Or did we only get a dozen takers last time?

[Whore Jackie]

Don't we have to sell out allocations for this to be a problem?

Apologies if this has already been discussed but has any one noticed that next season you need to be a season ticket AND have a certain amount of Royalty points to be able to to buy away tickets . . . .

"Ticket priority for high demand away matches. From next season, both season ticket status and number of Royalty Points will be used as criteria for key away games. Season ticket holders are being rewarded with the highest possible priority, in conjunction with their Royalty Points, as opposed to Royalty Points being the sole criteria used"

Indeed.

[M-U-R-T-Y]

[Cobi]

Both season ticket status and number of Royalty Points will be used as criteria for high-demand away games. Season ticket holders will be rewarded with the highest possible priority in conjunction with their Royalty Points, as opposed to Royalty Points being the sole criteria used. So if you have a season ticket next season, you will have access to tickets earlier than all non-season ticket holders, regardless of their Royalty Points.

Reading are well known for their massive away following. You are right to worry.

[Rex]

Don't we have to sell out allocations for this to be a problem?

Just think the 500 top end away days might just have been worth it.

[Rex]

The only reason I got back into having a ST ten years ago was to ensure priority for important away games (it worked - I was at Griffin Park on the final day of the season!). I miss too many home games (work and family commitments) for it to be financially viable and, ten years ago, there was rarely any issue around being able to get a ticket, and seating was always unreserved. Giving STHs priority seems sensible now as it did then. It's clear and unambiguous, whereas the whole Royalty points thing has always struck me as confusing. That said, I do understand BtF's point... but how many non-STHs go to lots of away games anyway? Exiles, Northern Royals, I suppose, but there's likely to be less demand for those games anyway.

A colleague of mine has an Away ST at Arsenal. Maybe RFC should think about bringing that idea back. Or did we only get a dozen takers last time?

There is an AST but the uptake night be 80 or so.

[Silver Fox]

Perectly reasonable

No it's not!

Assuming we go up to the Prem next year, then someone who has been to many games both home and away over the last few Championship seasons, gets lower priority than a glory-hunting new STH who may have never been to ANY games before?

Poor attempt by the club to blackmail us into renewing if you ask me.

Or someone willing to put their money where the club want it will be treated favourably by the club

LOLz @ blackmail

[mr_number]

I couldn't justify a home ST, but would be tempted by an away one, as getting to away games is easier for me generally. And they're also more fun, so I'd probably make the effort to get to a few more random ones.

Still, I understand the policy. I would just make one change, and give myself priority over everyone else, as I am obviously the best fan.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Good decision by the club IMO - I've moaned about this before.

The royalty points system sucks in that it's not a rolling system of say the last 3-4 years. I think it's wrong that someone who may not have been to a game for 3-4 years can get tickets for the 'big occasion' as they have more royalty points than someone who has been a season ticket holder for the last 3-4 years. It's unfair. The people who give cash up front in advance to support their club should always be given first priority.

[PieEater]

I 've always thought points inflation would be a better way to do it then you help current and recently lapsed long standing fans.

Currently home games are 10pts each, increase that by 5pts a season and it wouldn't take long to age old points, but they would still be worth something compared to a JCL season ticket holder.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

I 've always thought points inflation would be a better way to do it then you help current and recently lapsed long standing fans.

Currently home games are 10pts each, increase that by 5pts a season and it wouldn't take long to age old points, but they would still be worth something compared to a JCL season ticket holder.

That's exactly why a rolling system would work better. If someone had just recently lapsed they would still be in good shape for 3 seasons or so. If they struggled to get tickets after that then tough sh1t to a certain extent as they've not paid in for 3 years.

[royalp-we]

Just got back from work and read this on the OS.

I can sympathise with non STH and there is no doubt there will be mixed views on this. From my own perspective (alright, don't give us your life story mate ) I started following the club in 98. I bought my first ST in 99 and bought a ST every year thereafter until the 09-10 when I couldnt renew due to work and family commitments. I now see as many games as i can and im on 11 this season
I will be one of the people who will probably stand no chance of tickets to the bigger games in this proposed system should we go up - which annoys me because some little sprog who supports Man Utd or Liverpool but buys a season ticket will get priority to purchase away tickets ahead of me, when I followed the team home and away from div 2, up to the prem and down again.

That said, I'm not gonna lose sleep about it because other clubs have exactly the same problems and it's part of being a football fan. Every clubs fanbase have a scramble for tickets when they become a bigger and more successful club.

I feel ya pain BTF, but it is what it is