Ulster 2013/2014

First topic message reminder :

One guy I think deserves high praise from these two Treviso games is Sean Doyle.
As you know I reported some doubt about his future and that he needed to put his hand - he has done so big time.

Few more games like that and he will be with us next year for sure.

 

Not got your ST for next year Clive?

Na, I opted for looking after my wife and baby and buying groceries and heating.

But sure Ulster only kinda appreciate a supporters' passion, but their eye is really on the supporters cash!   

Havn't missed a televised game in three years - sure whats another one on the telly... missus playing games on her ipad telling me to keep it down...

But on a serious note - I never heard anything from the URSC, and it was never announced that they were meant to be available via that route.

Ah, thats a shame. Well hopefully we beat Sarries and you get a trip to Dublin out of it!

clivemcl wrote:Na, I opted for looking after my wife and baby and buying groceries and heating.

You're a big softie clive, sure a few extra blankets would to the job....

Don't waste time on the Internet - money saved is more than enough for a standing ST

Yeah some of the nonsense on Facebook is ridiculous. It is professional Rugby now  isn't it?

Yeah there are a lot of people who seem to think that its Ulsters decision to hand out 3000 tickets to sponsors- but it always amazes me, this reaction. If everybody who wanted to get a ticket could, it would be ideal but there are obvious limits in capacity.

3000 tickets to sponsors leaves a bad taste in the back of your throat but that's standard for every knockout game in the Heineken Cup. I don't think being a season ticket holder makes me a 'better fan' but it does mean I go to more games and how big a fan you are can't be otherwise quantified.

It does sound like Ulster have sold about 1000 new season tickets off the back of this which is absolutely brilliant given the turmoil in European Club Rugby over the past number of months.

While I have some sympathy for those (me included!) who can't get a ticket for the quarter final it does confuse me that folk who can't travel to Ravenhill for any other matches during the season can somehow manage to make it to the quarter final?

Did they move Ravenhill closer? Are the quater final tickets cheaper than a normal game?

If folk can't/don't make the effort to set foot near the place all season how can they complain about not getting a ticket for the knock out stages?

Yeah we are looking towards 10000 ST holders potentially next season or at least close enough to it, and that's needed to fill 18500 capacity

MrsP wrote:While I have some sympathy for those (me included!) who can't get a ticket for the quarter final it does confuse me that folk who can't travel to Ravenhill for any other matches during the season can somehow manage to make it to the quarter final?

Did they move Ravenhill closer? Are the quater final tickets cheaper than a normal game?

If folk can't/don't make the effort to set foot near the place all season how can they complain about not getting a ticket for the knock out stages?

Without trying to play devils advocate mrs p, which folk are you referring to and how do you know they haven't set foot in Ravenhill all season? I haven't actually seen anyone complain?

You could be right Rodders although, from past experience, if that tape comes unstuck....

Well the only people complaining so far are those that have tickets.

Maybe I should not have read the FB page.

But, I'm sure I can hear murmurings and mutterings from behind that tape nonetheless!

  

Facebook is for uneducated proletariats mrsP. Not surprising there would be some sort of reaction against thinly veiled corporate elitism on there.


Sensible folk on here understand the correlation between regularly attracting the lowest common denominator socialite on a Friday night and balancing the books.....    

Yup - some very disappointed people on Facebook.....

I got mine! Yeah - can't wait. The joy of being a season ticket holders, even if I hardly ever have the chance to go. (I always give it to someone - just in case you think mine is the empty seat).

Anyhow - time to book a flight :-)

There's that much whinging on there Rodders you nearly think we were....

Demand > supply = someone disappointed

But to hear some folk you'd think UR had performed some great swindle just to cheat it's "real" fans out of tickets!

I'd love to hear how some of them would suggest we had managed the ticket distribution. I suspect it would mostly center around giving as many tickets as they want to everyone who posts on FB and then employing Dr Who to create some sort of TARDIS effect in the new stands.

MrsP wrote:While I have some sympathy for those (me included!) who can't get a ticket for the quarter final it does confuse me that folk who can't travel to Ravenhill for any other matches during the season can somehow manage to make it to the quarter final?

Did they move Ravenhill closer? Are the quater final tickets cheaper than a normal game?

If folk can't/don't make the effort to set foot near the place all season how can they complain about not getting a ticket for the knock out stages?

Are you surprised that QFs have more demand? Are you questioning why people would make more effort on a special occasion? Splash out? treat themselves?

Are you also saying that a true fan should choose a Zebre match over a QF just to prove they are genuine?

Its just a pity that despite the new stadium, we still can't accommodate all the people who genuinely want to support our boys and take pride in our regional achievement.

It just feels like everytime a supporter (yes, a supporter!) voices upset and not getting a ticket, everyone else starts to tell them they aren't as committed.

If we talk business, I'll not disagree - its perfectly understandable - but surely nobody here can question my affections for the club despite only making the 100 mile round trip twice this season.

(oh and just to justify myself - they weren't even inter-pros)

It's not so much that a true fan chooses a Zebre match over a QF, it's that some people- who are not necessarily bigger fans than anyone else- choose every match, every week there is a home game regardless of opposition. Now it's perfectly understandable that not everybody can have a season ticket but tickets for this game are even more limited than our previous Heineken Cup home games due to the requirement to accommodate ERC, additional sponsors and opposition fans so... when not everyone can go, who should get first choice? One big reason clubs do it like this is that it stops the opposition fans getting their hands on our allocation in a general sale.

I don't think anyone is questioning your affection, it's just that it's really impossible to quantify affection- whereas attendance is much more easily recognised.

I am not at all surprised that demand is increased Clive. I am disappointed too. I would love to be going to this game too.

It's the apparent feeling of entitlement from some people who seem to think they deserved a ticket just because they are a supporter that bugs me. If there are not enough tickets for everyone who wants one, someone will miss out but that doesn't justify the terrible gurning going on from some quarters. (Not on here I grant you!) Just so much negativity toward the organisation when we should all, ticket or not, be getting behind them for this match!

If I did decide to prioritise my sports team over other expenditures (oh i can just hear my wife now!), I would probably be doing so mostly for the assurance of knock out stages, and wouldn't be able to swan off and leave my misses every other Friday night on a 100 mile round trip (to stand by myself).

So, like 2bfair above, I might only use my ST for a handful of games. The real concern is, with URs clever money making, how many of next years 10,000 ST holders will be at ravers on a given league game night?

We don't want a mini-murrayfield on our hands instead of fortress ravenhill, with many other supporters not getting it to a sold out night.

Out of interest, does anyone have any knowledge of a current average attendance by STHs as a percentage?

Not a clue Clive but a rapid look around the ground on the average Friday night would suggest that most of the seats are filled.

Which, of course, you would know if you were ever there!!!!

  

I'm joking I'm joking!!!!!!!

  

Being serious for a moment...

We have sold out almost every home game since part way through last season (I think) so I think we have enough genuine fans around to keep the place lively just now, no?

Yea thats true, whats a standing ST going for these days anywho???

I think about £220 next year for renewal. Also there is a facility on ticketmaster to sell on your ticket for a match you cannot attend. Personally I have a few mates who take my ticket on the few occasions I can't make it and I know of a lot more season ticket holders who do the same.

The facility to sell your ticket is really easy so why not share a ST with a friend ?
The reality is if our ST numbers contine to grow - they have doubled in the last 18 months - very few non ST holders will get to see any games.
Pretty much like that at Leinster - we are going the same way.

Yep, I think Leinster have over 13500 Season ticket holders in a 18000 stadium. That's where we want to be.

Call it sour grapes, but I honestly think it's a valid point.

Not taht it ammounted to very many of the number, but whats the deal with STHs getting a second bite of the apple.

I mean your ST entitles you to one admission per game, so why more that one opportunity to buy knock out game tickets?

Is it just a perk? Could this be one little part of the system, UR could revise in future to appease the angry mob?

UR would rather the angry mob bought more season tickets. Most season ticket holders did not get a second bite of the apple anyway. It just makes sense; season ticket holders are the core of both the supporter base and the core of their business. They want to grow both, so it makes sense.

But in a perfect world I do think they should have a system where fans who have been to more than 50% of away games get the same treatment as season ticket holders, and fans who have been to more than 50% of home games get entered into a prize draw for a few of them to win the chance of being able to purchase tickets. In the real world, it's a logistical nightmare to organise and co-ordinate anything like that and they have to be realistic about what their staff can accomplish so I doubt anything will change. I feel bad for people who go to games all over the place but can't justify a season ticket for whatever reason, especially if they follow the team on the road- I suspect this is a very small cross-section of people though.

Maybe a prize draw isn't the worst idea. Set aside 50 or so tickets and just allow people to enter on Facebook or something. Fifty lucky non-ST holders will get an opportunity to buy tickets. Could be a masterstroke.

In bigger game it also makes it certain that their own fans are buying the tickets. If sarries (and I can't believe this) sell out their tickets a general sale could get snapped up by non Ulster fans. What Notch suggest might work but then again logistically how do you know who is who on facebook.

Standulstermen wrote:In bigger game it also makes it certain that their own fans are buying the tickets. .

That is exactly the reason the few extra tickets were offered to ST holder as a second ticket.<BR>

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/adam-darcy-column-johann-muller-1336766-Feb2014/?utm_source=shortlink

Adam D'Arcy on Johann Muller

I seem to have got some dust in my eye reading that!

As an aside Adam D'Arcy was a thoroughly likeable and decent bloke in his own right.
Always happy to stop and have a chat

MrsP wrote:Being serious for a moment...

We have sold out almost every home game since part way through last season (I think) so I think we have enough genuine fans around to keep the place lively just now, no?

That's assuming every season ticket holder is a genuine fan MrsP, which in my experience they aren't. Where were all these genuine fans 3 seasons ago?

Lets be honest here a large proportion of the newbie ST holders this year are the Belfast Giant brigade.

It's great commercially for the club but lets not pretend that prioritising idiot office workers in Lanyon place, many of whom need to buy a match day program to work out which team is which, ahead of people who go out and run around on muddy pitches in places like Strabane, Letterkenny or Coleraine on a Saturday morning for the love of the game, like Clive, is the sustainable way to grow the game in Ulster.

Awwww you're a soppy one MrsP
It is a good read, in fact I feel quite inspired. Time to take this day by the horns and......make a cup of coffee before I do anything constructive.

Never judge a fan's worth by his attendances to matches. I know a ST holder that hasn't a notion what the game of rugby is about. He just likes the crowded, excited friday nights at Ravers. He couldn't name a team member I reckon

rodders wrote:

MrsP wrote:Being serious for a moment...

We have sold out almost every home game since part way through last season (I think) so I think we have enough genuine fans around to keep the place lively just now, no?

That's assuming every season ticket holder is a genuine fan MrsP, which in my experience they aren't. Where were all these genuine fans 3 seasons ago?

Lets be honest here a large proportion of the newbie ST holders this year are the Belfast Giant brigade.

It's great commercially for the club but lets not pretend that prioritising idiot office workers in Lanyon place, many of whom need to buy a match day program to work out which team is which, ahead of people who go out and run around on muddy pitches in places like Strabane, Letterkenny or Coleraine on a Saturday morning for the love of the game, like Clive, is the sustainable way to grow the game in Ulster.

Not sure why you are taking a pop at office workers or Lanyon Place in particular there Rodders.

I know about half a dozen Lanyon Place office workers and true fans every one

Hearing t5hat a lot of Saracens fans are selling tickets to Ulster supporters in London - happy days   

What would you all suggest UR use as a mechism to distribute tickets?

Perhaps an exam on UR with only those scoring above a certain mark allowed to attend games?

Anyone buying a season ticket IS showing support.

Only considering established rugby folk as supporters is no way to grow the game either.

I've never really argued otherwise rodeos. The point is that it's impossible to quantify something as intangible as support/affection.

Maybe we could have an allocation for clubs?

whats Owen farrel doing with his ticket?

geoff999rugby wrote:

rodders wrote:

MrsP wrote:Being serious for a moment...

We have sold out almost every home game since part way through last season (I think) so I think we have enough genuine fans around to keep the place lively just now, no?

That's assuming every season ticket holder is a genuine fan MrsP, which in my experience they aren't. Where were all these genuine fans 3 seasons ago?

Lets be honest here a large proportion of the newbie ST holders this year are the Belfast Giant brigade.

It's great commercially for the club but lets not pretend that prioritising idiot office workers in Lanyon place, many of whom need to buy a match day program to work out which team is which, ahead of people who go out and run around on muddy pitches in places like Strabane, Letterkenny or Coleraine on a Saturday morning for the love of the game, like Clive, is the sustainable way to grow the game in Ulster.

Not sure why you are taking a pop at office workers or Lanyon Place in particular there Rodders.

I know about half a dozen Lanyon Place office workers and true fans every one

It was metaphorical Geoff.

Auto-correct seems to think rodeos is a better name than rodders. Who am I to argue?

What allocation though?

Are you happy that someone who drinks in Cooke/Strabane/Dungannon Rugby Club on a friday night and never goes near an Ulster game gets a ticket ahead of you who pays for the privilege of standing in the rain every Friday night?

I much prefer Rodeos to Rodders Notch, as an admin person can you ban him until he changes his name accordingly

I do admire those who brave the tempestuous conditions at Ravenhill week in, week out. The hypothermia, the frostbite and the inability to see over the top of the huge lunk who's standing in front of you. I however prefer lying up in the warmth with a glass or two of vino or beer trying to force by son to take an interest
Horses for courses eh?
I do dislike the hangers on who only attend QFs etc and whinge about the difficulty in getting a ticket. However I cannot judge anymore as I am 100% armchair pundit

rodders wrote:

MrsP wrote:Being serious for a moment...

We have sold out almost every home game since part way through last season (I think) so I think we have enough genuine fans around to keep the place lively just now, no?

That's assuming every season ticket holder is a genuine fan MrsP, which in my experience they aren't. Where were all these genuine fans 3 seasons ago?

Lets be honest here a large proportion of the newbie ST holders this year are the Belfast Giant brigade.

It's great commercially for the club but lets not pretend that prioritising idiot office workers in Lanyon place, many of whom need to buy a match day program to work out which team is which, ahead of people who go out and run around on muddy pitches in places like Strabane, Letterkenny or Coleraine on a Saturday morning for the love of the game, like Clive, is the sustainable way to grow the game in Ulster.

  



In other news, it appears that the belly telly quoted a facebook comment of mine for an article about the QF tickets. I must remember to retract comments whenever I acknowledge I was OTT in the heat of the disappointment!

MrsP wrote:What allocation though?

Are you happy that someone who drinks in Cooke/Strabane/Dungannon Rugby Club on a friday night and never goes near an Ulster game gets a ticket ahead of you who pays for the privilege of standing in the rain every Friday night?

No, but a small allocation could help a lot. A few hundred tickets. Again, the problem is making sure they don't just go to hanger-ons. Whichever way you look at it, season tickets are the fairest way of distributing these tickets for the big games.

Notch wrote:I've never really argued otherwise rodeos. The point is that it's impossible to quantify something as intangible as support/affection.

Maybe we could have an allocation for clubs?

Me neither Notch - I'll answer MrsP here if that's ok - I'm a pragmatist, its these idiot office workers from <insert business park name> that go some way to balancing the books, the same happened Munster and Leinster.

I'm surprised any non ST thought any tickets would go on general sale, so those complaining are deluded (which no one is on here) and likely not real fans as they should know better. 

Long term Ulster need to look at how they make games more accessible to people across the province rather than just rely on a load of fair weather fans and people with corporate tickets to put bums on seats through but that is a separate debate.

Notch wrote:Auto-correct seems to think rodeos is a better name than rodders. Who am I to argue?

Rodeos talks a lot more sense so I can live with that.

I do think that most games are accessible mind you rodders, we're talking about one game which is in huge demand. The general Pro12 games are accessible and will be even more so next year.

Clive, just read that article- you love the drama!