Season Ticket Renewal - Retained List

Post by **Dave** » 04 May 2014, 00:42

As a fan I fully understand the importance of season ticket sales, they're vital for many reasons, including helping CH's summer budget , seriously do get it.

But then I look at the last 2 seasons, played 46 home match's and won just 13 of them, what in a way makes it worse since January 2013 some 17 months ( obviously taking out the close season) managed just 7 home wins. This season we've scored a massive 18 goals at home all season, and as pointed out by Hector haven't managed a home goal on a Saturday for 4 months, two years of utter dross.

Sorry to keep banging on about it, but I just can't justify part as I've done for a few years now, with another £295 for another season, sad for me, but just can't do it, we've had more than enough time as a club to see the problems and fix them, and failed full stop.

Modgull · Post by **Modgull** » 04 May 2014, 08:09

Whilst I can understand everyone's hurt at what has happened, made even worse by yesterday's white flag performance, I can't really understand the decision by previously loyal fans to deliberately not renew season tickets.

If you cannot afford a large one-off commitment fair enough. But if it is to register some sort of protest then this will surely condemn the Club and its supporters to permanent non-league football.

The same can be said about those wanting to see reduced prices or freebie deals. Every reduction or freebie reduces the playing budget - although some of you might think that the Club has a lot of fat in the non-playing side believe me it hasn't - and again has an effect counter to what we as supporters would want.

Surely now is the time to step forward and help the Club?

DTG · Post by **DTG** » 04 May 2014, 08:30

Modgull wrote:Whilst I can understand everyone's hurt at what has happened, made even worse by yesterday's white flag performance, I can't really understand the decision by previously loyal fans to deliberately not renew season tickets.

If you cannot afford a large one-off commitment fair enough. But if it is to register some sort of protest then this will surely condemn the Club and its supporters to permanent non-league football.

The same can be said about those wanting to see reduced prices or freebie deals. Every reduction or freebie reduces the playing budget - although some of you might think that the Club has a lot of fat in the non-playing side believe me it hasn't - and again has an effect counter to what we as supporters would want.

Surely now is the time to step forward and help the Club?

Modgull no offence but...........................this is typical of the thinking at the club, they just don't get it! This approach to paying customers is just painfull to read but explains how the club have ended up in this mess. If this mindset continues then TUFC will carry on the downhill slide to obscurity and it will be the promoters of this business (sic) style to blame.

Dave_Pougher · Post by **Dave_Pougher** » 04 May 2014, 08:47

Modgull wrote:Whilst I can understand everyone's hurt at what has happened, made even worse by yesterday's white flag performance, I can't really understand the decision by previously loyal fans to deliberately not renew season tickets.

If you cannot afford a large one-off commitment fair enough. But if it is to register some sort of protest then this will surely condemn the Club and its supporters to permanent non-league football.

The same can be said about those wanting to see reduced prices or freebie deals. Every reduction or freebie reduces the playing budget - although some of you might think that the Club has a lot of fat in the non-playing side believe me it hasn't - and again has an effect counter to what we as supporters would want.

Surely now is the time to step forward and help the Club?

I agree in part, I have purchased a season ticket into past (once) knowing full well I wouldn't be attending quiet a few home games. All right the gesture was not as glamorous as it sounds as the season ticket was cheap. But what other way do fans have of making their voices heard when genuine questions remain unanswered? I will not even consider a season ticket while bill Phillips remains or at least he answers the question, publicly what does he bring to the club in terms of finances expertise or experience. To me that's a genuine question were I have concerns and knowledge that some things have been counter productive to the club.

Maybe it's time for another look at a proper trust?

Neal · Post by **Neal** » 04 May 2014, 08:49

Very difficult one this for me.

I can understand season ticket holders who have bought tickets for the last 2 seasons. They have had enough and you cant really blame them, I think i would do the same.

But...... I havnt bought a season ticket for the last 2 seasons. Living up here it doesnt make sense. However I was tempted when last in the conference because they were reduced so i did. From my point of view i get to about 50% of home games so buying a season ticket os basically a 50% gift to the club.

Now in times of dire trouble I dont mind doing this. But theres another BUT. I cannot do this when there are players like TONGUE, HAWLEY and HARDING getting big money at Conference level when I hold these players responsible for our relegation. Not fully responsible obviously, but they have had a major part to play in it. So you see the dilemma. I hold most of the squad responsible but Im expecting the others not to be with us anyway due to one reason or another.

I dont know the solution though, as these players are contracted to us. But if we use them I really think we are in for a shock, becuase they are not good enough.

I dont know if this is possible but I would let each one know that they wont feature next year at all. if they dont leave (and I dont think they will) then offer them to go out on loan deals where we would have to pay some of the wages I guess. So at least we get some money. Not ideal I know, but I cannot see any other way realistically. I would rather use that money on some youngsters to be honest. its too galling for me to go and support that lot after the debacle of this season.

Would love to hear the CH interview, anyone got the link?

Neal · Post by **Neal** » 04 May 2014, 08:56

mmmmmmmm.... writing that last post, and seeing the previous one which I hadnt seen before submitting mine, got me thinking. What about this for a commercial option for the club.

What if say 50 of us who havnt bought season tickets last season got together and said, right, we will as a group buy 50 tickets but at a reduced rate.

The current season tickets might be agrieved, but they bought them individually so I would hope understand that commercially if you buy in numbers you get a better deal.

Would this work?

Burnhamgull · Post by **Burnhamgull** » 04 May 2014, 09:50

Neal wrote:Very difficult one this for me.

I can understand season ticket holders who have bought tickets for the last 2 seasons. They have had enough and you cant really blame them, I think i would do the same.

But...... I havnt bought a season ticket for the last 2 seasons. Living up here it doesnt make sense. However I was tempted when last in the conference because they were reduced so i did. From my point of view i get to about 50% of home games so buying a season ticket os basically a 50% gift to the club.

Now in times of dire trouble I dont mind doing this. But theres another BUT. I cannot do this when there are players like TONGUE, HAWLEY and HARDING getting big money at Conference level when I hold these players responsible for our relegation. Not fully responsible obviously, but they have had a major part to play in it. So you see the dilemma. I hold most of the squad responsible but Im expecting the others not to be with us anyway due to one reason or another.

I dont know the solution though, as these players are contracted to us. But if we use them I really think we are in for a shock, becuase they are not good enough.

I dont know if this is possible but I would let each one know that they wont feature next year at all. if they dont leave (and I dont think they will) then offer them to go out on loan deals where we would have to pay some of the wages I guess. So at least we get some money. Not ideal I know, but I cannot see any other way realistically. I would rather use that money on some youngsters to be honest. its too galling for me to go and support that lot after the debacle of this season.

Would love to hear the CH interview, anyone got the link?

Easy if there's a queue of clubs who would want them but I doubt you'd get many takers taking a risk on players who weren't even good enough to play regularly in a team bottom of the football league.

PlainmoorRoar · Post by **PlainmoorRoar** » 04 May 2014, 09:53

AustrianAndyGull wrote:

Excellent post

I've only just read through this thread and there is some interesting stuff.

The above is just the kind of little tokens of thanks that are very much appreciated by fans and show that the club are considering them as people who like to feel part of the club and that their support is not taken for granted and not just customers.

The season ticket deal as it stands is a price freeze and f*** all else.

Not good enough.The club should either reduce ticket prices or if not keep them as they are and offer other 'rewards' or 'incentives' like mentioned above.

If not then it is sad to say it but may I suggest doing something else on a matchday?

I could think of a hell of a lot more for free and give the board the required football side of things!

Anyone got 100kish for me to invest?

Burnhamgull · Post by **Burnhamgull** » 04 May 2014, 09:57

As some people have already bought season tickets for next year, it's too late for any offers. Other posts on here with incentives contain some good ideas but as usual the club has just assumed fans will renew. Some of us ST holders don't live local so it's not just a case of driving a couple of miles, I go missing for most of the day for home games so the decision to continue watching crap or spend time with the family after working away most of the week is a big one to make.

Sadly the mentality is that football clubs (not just Torquay) know that the blind loyalty of supporters will guarantee them the money each year.

Bobbytanz · Post by **Bobbytanz** » 04 May 2014, 10:01

I've renewed and have a 150 miles round trip so if new incentives we're put in place I'd be dead p'eed off !

DTG · Post by **DTG** » 04 May 2014, 10:04

Over the years they have been given loads of ideas for free. Some better than others? Sure. Some costing money that would have taken time to produce results? Sure. Some costing nothing but creating goodwill to the fans? Sure. Some costing a little money but the longer term benefits are worth it? Sure......and on and on and on. Have any been acted on? Nope! Why? The idiots in charge just don't get it! If you went to them and said " hey, give me 1 pound and I'll give you back 5" they would freak out about spending 1 pound.

hector · Post by **hector** » 04 May 2014, 10:04

I find it hard to make midweek games, so I missed the wins against Bury & Rochdale and the draw against Burton.

Therefore, I have seen, in 13 months, 2 wins and since the 4-2 win against Cheltenham, last September, I have seen the team score 4 goals because in Saturday fixtures, that is all the team have managed to score at Plainmoor in 8 months.

So 2 wins in 13 months and 4 goals in over 8 months.

That works out at £147.50 a win for my season ticket. I am struggling, here, to appreciate the value of my purchase. What other item, that I spend towards £300 would be such appalling value? Now if that retained list contains the name Danny Stevens and the likes of Benyon are not either paid off or put on the transfer list, there is not a hope in hell that I will even consider getting one.

For me, though it is more a case of economics. Last season, I was unable to make too many games and the purchase of a season-ticket became unnecessary. With the prospect of games being on BT next season as well, there is the added temptation of saving fuel and match-entry costs when watching us humiliated by Southport, if our games our screened live.

Not having a season-ticket of course, means that I will likely be more choosy. It will not be difficult to find other things to do, if the prospect of watching Benyon falling over for the pleasure of £17 each time is making me miserable.

Kernowgull · Post by **Kernowgull** » 04 May 2014, 10:06

I'd be more p'eed off if nobody buys tickets, the place is a morgue, and the team finish bottom half of the conference!

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 04 May 2014, 10:07

Bobbytanz wrote:I've renewed and have a 150 miles round trip so if new incentives we're put in place I'd be dead p'eed off !

I wouldn't worry about it Bobby. They aren't.

exiledgull · Post by **exiledgull** » 04 May 2014, 14:18

I won't be coming back to watch conference football. I said at the time if you get rid of Knill you better replace him with someone capable! Have no confidence for next year so I will just renew my Gullsplayer online and listen in.

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