Club's Offer to Premium Seats Holders and Season Tickets Holders

[TadB]

I met up with a Fulham fan on Friday, (he was a nob head) and he said he and 5 of his mates had all bought the debenture/license thing at Brentford. He said they quite liked idea of watching Brentford play. Realistically they will probably flog the tickets on where they can, probably to touts to sell to tourists

The vast majority of Premium Seat Holders were previously Season Ticket Holders at Griffin Park. Season Ticket Holders were the first group to be approached to buy Premium Seats in the new stadium. The Licence fee for most of the seats cost £2000, and a discount of 50% was offered to current Season Ticket holders with a cut off date. Regular updates were given on how the sales were proceeding, and most seats were sold before the cut of period. So anyone who says that those that will occupy these seats are not Brentford supporters is just plain wrong, to repeat most are Brentford supporters who have made a major commitment to the club by buying a licence and by buying a ticket not for one season but for 3 or 5 years.

 

[Banana]

The Licence fee for most of the seats cost £2000, and a discount of 50% was offered to current Season Ticket holders with a cut off date.

The license fee for "most of the seats" cost £600 (R&W and the one above). With the 50% discount you mention that's £300. Or £60/season.

Then there's the monthly direct-debit, but the club has postponed starting these.

 

[TadB]

Its not just about commercial basis. Its about respect,history and values

The club cannot hold a seat because the seat has effectively been sold. If they attempted to give the seat to anyone else outside the terms of the contract they could be sued in a court. It is a different commercial basis.

 

[TadB]

The license fee for "most of the seats" cost £600 (R&W and the one above). With the 50% discount you mention that's £300. Or £60/season.

Then there's the monthly direct-debit, but the club has postponed starting these.

TW8 Seats (Railway and Orchard Lounge) one of the largest blocks cost £2000 with a 50% discount £1000 The licence period is for 5 years or 50 years with a different price for each

 

[TadB]

Some people on this Thread are attempting to stir the S..t and there is nothing to be gained by setting one group of supporters against another.

 

[Banana]

TW8 Seats (Railway and Orchard Lounge) one of the largest blocks cost £2000 with a 50% discount £1000

R&W is larger.

 

[moribee]

Not sure where an OAP of 61 years going,missing 2 home games in that time fits into all this with lounges and costs in £1000's. Oh yes I forgot,its history now and we are not needed now.

 

[Ejvind]

Some people on this Thread are attempting to stir the S..t and there is nothing to be gained by setting one group of supporters against another.

I agree with this. The issue isn't how the PSH are being treated. It's how the STH are being treated.

The club is doing right by the PSH and they shouldn't be attacked for that, they should be for not doing right by "regular" STH.

 

[TadB]

R&W is larger.

I am not sure where this argument is getting us. There is an enormous amount of untrue information being put out on this thread that will only harm the club. The principle point is that most premium seat holders are Brentford Supporters and that the seats were sold on a different commercial basis and as such the two types cannot be dealt with on an identical basis. Rest assured that the details I have put out in respect of TW8 seats are correct and it is a very large block.

 

[Banana]

I agree with this. The issue isn't how the PSH are being treated. It's how the STH are being treated.

The club is doing right by the PSH and they shouldn't be attacked for that, they should be for not doing right by "regular" STH.

Fully agree.

Anyway, there now seems to be some "behind-the-scenes" discussions going-on re the STH offerings. So hopefully the comments and other feedback on this thread have been noted.

 

[Brentford_till_die]

Yes, but those asking for a refund should be careful what they wish for, as they would be giving up their right to their seat not just for this season but any future seasons. Those who were lucky enough to be high up the priority list for choosing seats back in January/February will have to pick from what's left if they want to buy again next season. There would be no legal obligation on the club to give them first dibs. That's why they have us over a barrel.
And, while there may be an obligation to provide a full refund on request, I suspect that the law wouldn't oblige them to provide pro rata refunds for those games we'll lose this season. It's all or nothing.

That’s the worry.
I don’t see why the club can’t offer those who get refunds first dibs when they become available for the 21/22 season. A ‘small’ deposit perhaps. I’m sure the majority would renew, even if it meant an earlier renewal date.

 

[WarrenBee]

Well, the next few days are going to be very interesting, and it could also determine the long term future between the club and fans who have stuck with the club through the tough times, and the new breed of fans who have only known the good times!!

 

[mhead bee]

I think the backlash will see a change of strategy. Only an idiot would expect the fans to just take this lying down

 

[Banana]

I think the backlash will see a change of strategy. Only an idiot would expect the fans to just take this lying down

I concur. There's been a very broad input from supporters on here. Far more than I expected TBH.

 

[burgess hill bee]

Just catching up with this so not going through 13/14 pages, hopefully the club will note the sensible comments made and realise that it has taken an awful long time for Brentford to get 11000 season ticket holders but as one of my bosses said recently it only takes 5/10 minutes to ruin all the hard work done to date.

The actions that get taken now will reflect on how many people decide to renew next season and the ongoing seasons. With the economy struggling and unemployment going in an upward direction probably for a long period of time it is unlikely that there will be a long queue of people to replace those who decide not to renew if they think the club has 'mugged them off' (and this is going to apply to every club not just Brentford) if people cannot afford it they will be looking for cheaper football.

At the end of the day we will be lucky if we get the opportunity to see 50% of the games this season so even with the cheapest adult season ticket supporters will be £200 out of pocket and i doubt if the potential I Follow offer will suffice as its not the greatest thing, internet speeds can be slow in some areas.

Simple thing for me would be once the season has finished and the club knows how many games we have had the opportunity to watch then they will know how much 'credit' we may have then they could offer us discounted season tickets over say 2 or 3 seasons to keep us on board, reduce potential refunds and help with Cashflow, if people don't renew their season ticket after 21/22 season then they lose whatever credit is held.

The situation we find ourselves in regarding no fans in stadiums is not of the clubs making or the fans themselves.

 

[Alex]

Fully agree.

Anyway, there now seems to be some "behind-the-scenes" discussions going-on re the STH offerings. So hopefully the comments and other feedback on this thread have been noted.

I hope so as I've had the discussion now with the kids and they are with me.

I see Cardiff have now changed their position and are offering a refund in the form of a credit against next season's season ticket minus the cost of the ifollow pass for each game. We just need to see the same with the option of opting out of the ifollow pass for a larger credit after all I don't need three ifollow passes and my uncle who's account I administer doesn't even know what the internet is, let alone know that you can use it to watch football.

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

Of my group one is furlo'd likely to get made redundant any time soon, two more live in Norfolk and I Follow is useless up there, I say that
the needs of them outweigh the club, the first one being in a possibly dire situation, a club that is about to receive £28 Million + has to be in a better place.
I have been a supporter for 65 years and I am ashamed at the treatment suggested, anyone for a prawn sandwich?

 

['Ayes B]

It's always been like that. ST holders get advantages over members, because they pay more. Members get advantages over 'walk-in' fans and those on the database, because they pay an annual subscription. Those with more points get advantages than those with fewer, because they've been to more games (so basically paid more to do this).

30-40 years ago, the club could never fill GP, so a tiered system wasn't needed and it was largely 'walk-in'. Now there is no problem attracting people to a shiny new stadium, so there has to be some system of prioritisation. As I said in my other post, their mistake is not offering a refund for STs that want one. If I had bought one (I haven't) I would probably be happy that it's deferred until such time fans are allowed back in.

No its not... A Braemar Road ST holder paid more than a NR season ticket holder who paid more than an Ealing Road Season Ticket holder... Each was treated the same when it came to loyaly and this must not change.

Can you accept a scenario where someone in the Weststand goes to every Northern away game, including those that are midweek and on Sky and then misses Fulham becuase we have been given only 1800 tickets and those in the lounges all want to go?

Loyalty is about time spent not money

 

[Banana]

I hope so as I've had the discussion now with the kids and they are with me.

What does this mean?

 

['Ayes B]

If nned be after the meeting with the club, BIAS need to Lobby BU on this and either gain their support or publish there response

 

[Alex]

What does this mean?

screw us over and we’re out

 

[Banana]

There is an enormous amount of untrue information being put out on this thread

I asked you via PM to point out to me what you consider justifies this post. You were unable to do so.

Therefore, please don't post untrue information about untrue information. Thanks.

 

[BeesBloke]

Fully agree.

Anyway, there now seems to be some "behind-the-scenes" discussions going-on re the STH offerings. So hopefully the comments and other feedback on this thread have been noted.

Or in other words, this entire thread is based on nothing but rumours, second guessing & general hysteria as nothing has officially been announced by the club yet regarding STH’s.

 

[Banana]

Or in other words, this entire thread is based on nothing but rumours, second guessing & general hysteria as nothing has officially been announced by the club yet regarding STH’s.

Er...no. It's been based on concrete information from the club. No "second guessing". Have a read of the thread.

 

[BeesBloke]

Er...no. It's been based on concrete information from the club. No "second guessing". Have a read of the thread.

I have read it, but I think I’ll wait for the clubs official stance before working myself into a frenzy based on heresay and ‘hints’ from the club, however well connected the source.

 

[Banana]

I have read it, but I think I’ll wait for the clubs official stance before working myself into a frenzy based on heresay and ‘hints’ from the club, however well connected the source.

and then do what exactly?

 

[BeesBloke]

and then do what exactly?

Base my opinion and response on what is or isn’t being offered by the actual club when officially announced which should be very soon. By all means work people into a frenzy then, but let’s just wait shall we.

 

[Banana]

Base my opinion and response on what is or isn’t being offered by the actual club when officially announced which should be very soon. By all means work people into a frenzy then, but let’s just wait shall we.

Yeah, we covered that nonsense approach here:

For those waiting for the official announcement, I’m glad we didn’t have that attitude 20 years ago.

Fan 1 ‘did you hear Noades is going to move us to Woking?’
Fan 2 ‘No - has this been signed and formally announced by the club’
Fan 1 ‘Not yet but unless we do something now, the club will die or end up in the conference’
Fan 2 ‘in that case I’ll wait for the official announcement. As you were.’

 

[dermotjordan]

I have read it, but I think I’ll wait for the clubs official stance before working myself into a frenzy based on heresay and ‘hints’ from the club, however well connected the source.

I get where you’re coming from but in situations like this the GPG feeds into BIAS & at some point the Club, thus acting as a very powerful lobbying tool. Were there no feedback here then the announcement you await might be unnecessarily ill thought & unfair & commit the club to a course of action it may regret.

 

[BeesBloke]

Yeah, we covered that nonsense approach here:

Are you seriously comparing the issue of ST holders in our new stadium being refunded in a fair manner, to Noades trying to ruin the club twenty odd years ago?

 

[jimmycisabee]

I am genuinely shocked that the club were planning to treat loyal supporters so badly. Maybe the real Brentford died with GP. I'm really grateful for BIAS trying to turn it round though. Hope they make the club see sense.

 

[Banana]

Are you seriously comparing the issue of ST holders in our new stadium being refunded in a fair manner, to Noades trying to ruin the club twenty odd years ago?

No. but if you are having difficultly in drawing the parallel then I will rest my case there your honour.

 

[Mattingly Bee]

Worst case scenario for the club is losing a significant portion of its hard core support due to mistreating them. The prawn sandwich brigade won't care. But should our ascent to football's top table come to a shuddering halt and we suffer a few seasons of battling against relegation or worse, how many season ticket holders will there be?

I don't watch iFollow as I don't have the technology to make it viable. Brentford on the TV is never a fun experience and so I've grown used to not seeing us play. The longer my habit replaces the old one of going to Griffin Park, the less likely I will be going to the new ground. Add financial hardship brought on by unemployment and a perception that I've been screwed, it is a perfect storm for me giving up supporting the club in the flesh. I reckon I'm not alone in this.

 

[nocoat]

I think there are two issues at play here
1) Premium v Normal season ticket holders perceived or actual different treatment
2) General sh*thoussery basically asking people to gamble on the virus and gvt reaction to it. Also no care about those houses with multiple tickets or don’t really want ifollow

I’m more pissed off with the second than first but can understand the strength of feeling on both.

think it’s important to separate the two issues so the water doesn’t get muddy !

 

[mhead bee]

At the end of the day we will be lucky if we get the opportunity to see 50% of the games this season so even with the cheapest adult season ticket supporters will be £200 out of pocket and i doubt if the potential I Follow offer will suffice as its not the greatest thing, internet speeds can be slow in some areas.

True, I would take 50% of live games right now if we could.

I don't need ifollow so I don't want to pay £300 for it thanks, however I would happily pay for the 50% of games I attend and go halves on the rest, they keep half and put half toward next season. That is a pretty decent gesture I would have thought. However if they continue this stance they can stick it all up their arse really.

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

IMO extend the PSTH debenture for 1 year, change their DD to match the top GSTH, then we are all matching and anything offered can
go to everyone, and we would be treated the same.

 

[LingfieldBee]

If there is a option to defer and keep my seat for next season I'll be doing this.
I can't see us in numbers in stadiums anytime soon. They'll definitely be a second wave of covid this winter and that will put a halt over winter months to fans in the ground. And as much as I love the club to pay out this year for just I follow and then be expected to pay out again for next season I won't do it.

 

[marvelous007]

I purchased my ST in the dug out and paid £590 upfront in October. I could not forsee that 6 months on and their be an international pandemic. And that mass gatherings at all sporting events would be stopped. I think in the circumstances its fair to offer:

A refund or be able to carry ST over to the following season instead (in the same seat). I think this should apply to everyone regardless of how much your seat cost.

 

[Guildford Bee]

If there is a option to defer and keep my seat for next season I'll be doing this.
I can't see us in numbers in stadiums anytime soon. They'll definitely be a second wave of covid this winter and that will put a halt over winter months to fans in the ground. And as much as I love the club to pay out this year for just I follow and then be expected to pay out again for next season I won't do it.

Same here. But doing so shouldn't exclude you from getting the chance to see games at LR this season on the off chance that fans be allowed in.

 

[LingfieldBee]

Same here. But doing so shouldn't exclude you from getting the chance to see games at LR this season on the off chance that fans be allowed in.

I agree with this I don't feel like because I defer I should then miss out on opportunity this year. But can only wait and see what they offer.

 

[HaylingBee74]

If 50% of monies paid for your seat was carried forward to part pay for the 21/22 season, and the other 50% for games in 20/21 that might allow fans in later on in the season. This is government controlled and nobody knows when or if this will happen.
At the end of the season the balance of 20/21 can be decided upon

 

[Mattingly Bee]

Posts 284 to 291 are reasonable proposals which the club should adopt as a bare minimum.

 

[wanderer paul]

If 50% of monies paid for your seat was carried forward to part pay for the 21/22 season, and the other 50% for games in 20/21 that might allow fans in later on in the season. This is government controlled and nobody knows when or if this will happen.
At the end of the season the balance of 20/21 can be decided upon

The simplest way to do it is what I said a few days ago.

Defer all 2020/2021 STs to 2021/2022. If the Club increases the price for next season then all you have to do is pay the extra on top.

Then, for season 2021/2022, the current ST holders are given the right to purchase their seat for any game/s we can attend this season. Whether it's October 2020 or February 2021. We buy online at set prices for each stand we can have access to. West & East - £20/£15/£10. North £25/£18/£10. South £35. (I'm guessing at admittance prices..... just examples).

This way, it protects your ST money. The Club doesn't have to refund in full or arrange iFollow codes. The Club receives slightly more per game than they would've if it was just ST prices. It simplifies it all.

You then have the opportunity to buy any iFollow match passes that you wish to pay for at £10 per match. Saves the Club having to issue codes and replying to emails saying they don't work etc etc etc.

The idea that if you want a full refund you lose your seat for 2021/2022 AND go to the bottom of the queue for STs!! Is a joke. Let's hope that option isn't included.......

 

[beesbees_bfc]

The simplest way to do it is what I said a few days ago.

Defer all 2020/2021 STs to 2021/2022. If the Club increases the price for next season then all you have to do is pay the extra on top.

Then, for season 2021/2022, the current ST holders are given the right to purchase their seat for any game/s we can attend this season. Whether it's October 2020 or February 2021. We buy online at set prices for each stand we can have access to. West & East - £20/£15/£10. North £25/£18/£10. South £35. (I'm guessing at admittance prices..... just examples).

This way, it protects your ST money. The Club doesn't have to refund in full or arrange iFollow codes. The Club receives slightly more per game than they would've if it was just ST prices. It simplifies it all.

You then have the opportunity to buy any iFollow match passes that you wish to pay for at £10 per match. Saves the Club having to issue codes and replying to emails saying they don't work etc etc etc.

The idea that if you want a full refund you lose your seat for 2021/2022 AND go to the bottom of the queue for STs!!

Sounds very sensible to me.

 

[Wise old Bee]

When are we likely to receive proposals from the club? It is in their interest to sort this properly asap. Based on previous experiences I am not particularly optimistic but they need to say something soon.

 

[Banana]

When are we likely to receive proposals from the club? It is in their interest to sort this properly asap. Based on previous experiences I am not particularly optimistic but they need to say something soon.

The club are meeting BIAS this evening, so it won't be before then. And hopefully it won't be first thing Tuesday morning as that means they will have ignored any feedback from BIAS.

 

[cheshirebee]

The simplest way to do it is what I said a few days ago.

Defer all 2020/2021 STs to 2021/2022. If the Club increases the price for next season then all you have to do is pay the extra on top.

Then, for season 2021/2022, the current ST holders are given the right to purchase their seat for any game/s we can attend this season. Whether it's October 2020 or February 2021. We buy online at set prices for each stand we can have access to. West & East - £20/£15/£10. North £25/£18/£10. South £35. (I'm guessing at admittance prices..... just examples).

This way, it protects your ST money. The Club doesn't have to refund in full or arrange iFollow codes. The Club receives slightly more per game than they would've if it was just ST prices. It simplifies it all.

You then have the opportunity to buy any iFollow match passes that you wish to pay for at £10 per match. Saves the Club having to issue codes and replying to emails saying they don't work etc etc etc.

The idea that if you want a full refund you lose your seat for 2021/2022 AND go to the bottom of the queue for STs!!

I would agree broadly with this (particularly taking ifollow out of the equation totally) and ultimately would personally accept it but for those who have more challenging personal financial situations it’s maybe a bit rich to ask them to lay out more cash for tickets this season when they are already several hundred pounds down.
Maybe a variation on the theme would be the approach of crediting all 20/21 matches not accessible to 21/22 ST account as others have put forward. So if we can get into any games this season no extra cash to pay.

 

[Banana]

If the club simply defers all STs to next season then they won't be earning any money from STHers this season. I would be surprised if there would be wholesale objection to them attempting to do so, just not this rather radical approach. For example, I would expect a substantial take-up of iFollow, and the club is right to attempt to protect some income by offering that as a default but allowing those that don't want it to opt-out without an impact on their right to keep their ST seat.

 

[Garybaldbee]

Worst case scenario for the club is losing a significant portion of its hard core support due to mistreating them. The prawn sandwich brigade won't care. But should our ascent to football's top table come to a shuddering halt and we suffer a few seasons of battling against relegation or worse, how many season ticket holders will there be?

I don't watch iFollow as I don't have the technology to make it viable. Brentford on the TV is never a fun experience and so I've grown used to not seeing us play. The longer my habit replaces the old one of going to Griffin Park, the less likely I will be going to the new ground. Add financial hardship brought on by unemployment and a perception that I've been screwed, it is a perfect storm for me giving up supporting the club in the flesh. I reckon I'm not alone in this.

I think this is the risk if the club takes a cavalier approach to its core support. Right now its looking very unlikely that we will get to see any live football in a ground until Spring 2021 at the earliest. That will be a year away from the game which is long enough to break ingrained habits of match going. Some people will just find other things to do with their Saturday afternoons. Throw in also the numbers who are likely to be struggling financially as a result of the economic difficulties and perhaps for many a residual fear of close proximity to large crowds and we can't assume that post Covid attendances will necessarily be anything like those prior to March 2020. It's therefore essential that the club manages this issue as sensitively as possible so as not to lose goodwill.

For my part I have two Dug Out seats so the club is already holding £1,400 of my money, which is probably more than for most Premium Season Ticket holders at this stage. I was prepared to write most of that off as a donation - something I wouldn't dream of doing for any other organisation - but had assumed that this would probably be partly compensated for by iFollow access to ALL matches, including the away fixtures as happened last season, and one or two other sweeteners perhaps more meaningful than a club face mask. But of course this was also on the assumption that we are 'all in it together'. If it turns out that Premium Season Ticket Holders are given vastly preferential treatment to the rest of us I will probably be asking for my money back on principle. I understand that the club faces some difficult decisions but offering an iFollow pass with a value of around £200 (as a multi season ticket household the second pass is irrelevant to me) plus a long shot gamble on perhaps being able to attend a couple of matches towards the end of the season is not remotely like for like value for my £1,400.

I hope that the club is taking note of this thread because the number of long term core supporters on it questioning their ongoing financial commitment if they feel unfairly treated should be enough for them to realise the long term damage that could be done if there is any perception of unfairness.

 

[LingfieldBee]

The simplest way to do it is what I said a few days ago.

Defer all 2020/2021 STs to 2021/2022. If the Club increases the price for next season then all you have to do is pay the extra on top.

Then, for season 2021/2022, the current ST holders are given the right to purchase their seat for any game/s we can attend this season. Whether it's October 2020 or February 2021. We buy online at set prices for each stand we can have access to. West & East - £20/£15/£10. North £25/£18/£10. South £35. (I'm guessing at admittance prices..... just examples).

This way, it protects your ST money. The Club doesn't have to refund in full or arrange iFollow codes. The Club receives slightly more per game than they would've if it was just ST prices. It simplifies it all.

You then have the opportunity to buy any iFollow match passes that you wish to pay for at £10 per match. Saves the Club having to issue codes and replying to emails saying they don't work etc etc etc.

The idea that if you want a full refund you lose your seat for 2021/2022 AND go to the bottom of the queue for STs!! Is a joke. Let's hope that option isn't included.......

This is spot on idea. I understand the club will lose money this year and if that means they invest majority of say Watkins fee to keep club going this year and we don't invest heavily into the squad I can accept that as it's a case of balancing the books.