So by paying for our season tickets will we get free ones in 2021 2022 season

[jrgbfc]

We could easily be back to scratching around near the bottom of the Championship soon. The club would do well to remember who their loyal fans are, because the tourists, daytrippers and 50/50 scarf wearers sure as hell won't be there.

[ksrclaret]

Perhaps the growing rates of infections has escaped you. The concourse and toilets would be massive infection risk.

People are allowed to watch the matches in cinemas. I presume they won't need to use the bog or walk past each other to watch it there.

[Grumps]

Well we will as normal have to agree to disagree.
You might get limited people in this season say 4,000 on the turf Max.
It will be 2022 before unlimited crowds are allowed but due to Burnley’s fan demographic it will not be full. Many oap’s will not risk going.
The younger generation have in the main been lost already, this will just make it worse.

OAPs are first in line for the vaccine.... They'll be the first on the ground

[Lowbankclaret]

It's madness that smaller crowds aren't being allowed now. Sheer madness. Everything was set up to have it done safely and then the government pulled the plug because they sh1t themselves.

I am all for freedom of choice, however that has consequences normally.
Bit like travel insurance, don’t take it out, get ill in the wrong country, your ******.

So yes I think people should be allowed to go to football and other sports BUT they sign an NHS waiver. That means if your on a ventilator and you signed a waiver and someone comes in who didn’t and the hospital is full. You get taken off and the other person gets it. If that means you pass away, that’s what you signed up for.

Some people like me have lost their job, are staying in. Ordering online and not doing much at all. Been to a couple of well running restaurants that took this seriously but not much else.

So if I get ill and need a bed I think I should get priority over someone who wants carry on as normal regardless.

[Lowbankclaret]

OAPs are first in line for the vaccine.... They'll be the first on the ground

Don’t hang your hopes on a vaccine, it’s a virus it’s gunna mutate. Bit like flu, each year it will be different.

[Rileybobs]

I am all for freedom of choice, however that has consequences normally.
Bit like travel insurance, don’t take it out, get ill in the wrong country, your ******.

So yes I think people should be allowed to go to football and other sports BUT they sign an NHS waiver. That means if your on a ventilator and you signed a waiver and someone comes in who didn’t and the hospital is full. You get taken off and the other person gets it. If that means you pass away, that’s what you signed up for.

Some people like me have lost their job, are staying in. Ordering online and not doing much at all. Been to a couple of well running restaurants that took this seriously but not much else.

So if I get ill and need a bed I think I should get priority over someone who wants carry on as normal regardless.

So what about the people who are doing lots of other things that carry a similar, or even higher risk of contracting the virus? Why should they take the ventilator of someone who sat outside, socially distanced and watched football?

[ksrclaret]

I am all for freedom of choice, however that has consequences normally.
Bit like travel insurance, don’t take it out, get ill in the wrong country, your ******.

So yes I think people should be allowed to go to football and other sports BUT they sign an NHS waiver. That means if your on a ventilator and you signed a waiver and someone comes in who didn’t and the hospital is full. You get taken off and the other person gets it. If that means you pass away, that’s what you signed up for.

Some people like me have lost their job, are staying in. Ordering online and not doing much at all. Been to a couple of well running restaurants that took this seriously but not much else.

So if I get ill and need a bed I think I should get priority over someone who wants carry on as normal regardless.

And how would they decide which person comes off the ventilator if loads have signed this "NHS waiver"?

"Well he's been to 11 restaurants, a shopping centre and a football match since March, but she's only been to 5 cafes and an indoor play area, so he'll have to come off"

Get a grip, mate.

[Zlatan]

I’d like to formally welcome back a particular forum user with his special kind of crazy... yay

[Lowbankclaret]

So what about the people who are doing lots of other things that carry a similar, or even higher risk of contracting the virus? Why should they take the ventilator of someone who sat outside, socially distanced and watched football?

Should be subject to the same waiver.
If it’s not your job or necessity.
Like I say freedom of choice.

[Rileybobs]

Should be subject to the same waiver.
If it’s not your job or necessity.
Like I say freedom of choice.

It’s a crazy idea. Imagine taking someone off a ventilator because they’ve been to a restaurant.

Just running with it though, what about people living like hermits who are morbidly obese from over eating, have a high alcohol intake and smoke 40 fags a day. Are they going to take another person’s ventilator because they went to a restaurant?

[Grumps]

Don’t hang your hopes on a vaccine, it’s a virus it’s gunna mutate. Bit like flu, each year it will be different.

Flu vaccine works... Its a different one every year

I'll stick with the view of medics and scientists who are confident of an effective vaccine.

[Grumps]

I am all for freedom of choice, however that has consequences normally.
Bit like travel insurance, don’t take it out, get ill in the wrong country, your ******.

So yes I think people should be allowed to go to football and other sports BUT they sign an NHS waiver. That means if your on a ventilator and you signed a waiver and someone comes in who didn’t and the hospital is full. You get taken off and the other person gets it. If that means you pass away, that’s what you signed up for.

Some people like me have lost their job, are staying in. Ordering online and not doing much at all. Been to a couple of well running restaurants that took this seriously but not much else.

So if I get ill and need a bed I think I should get priority over someone who wants carry on as normal regardless.

What about those who get ill, because those with the waiver have been out and about enjoying themselves, but passing on the virus to others

[Lowbankclaret]

It’s a crazy idea. Imagine taking someone off a ventilator because they’ve been to a restaurant.

Just running with it though, what about people living like hermits who are morbidly obese from over eating, have a high alcohol intake and smoke 40 fags a day. Are they going to take another person’s ventilator because they went to a restaurant?

No idea is perfect as the government is finding.

[ksrclaret]

I think it's fair to say Lowbank has revelled in this situation since the early days of March. Things are pretty grim, but this desire to punish people who try and get on with things as normally as possible has to stop.

[Rileybobs]

No idea is perfect as the government is finding.

There’s quite a few issues with your idea though isn’t there. Both moral and otherwise.

[Lowbankclaret]

Flu vaccine works... Its a different one every year

I'll stick with the view of medics and scientists who are confident of an effective vaccine.

Yes get that.
I was working with many skilled engineers who claim the RR Ultrafan will be the best engine ever, but the ones I respected said it will never work.
On both fronts we will see.
In my opinion, we will not get a vaccine or the Ultrafan.

Well we won’t get a vaccine that stops everyone getting Covid.

[Lowbankclaret]

There’s quite a few issues with your idea though isn’t there. Both moral and otherwise.

I agree, but what’s the alternative.

Follow the government rules which to be fair many people are not doing.

[Rileybobs]

I agree, but what’s the alternative.

Follow the government rules which to be fair many people are not doing.

What’s the alternative to your ventilator removal waiver?

I think it’s a fair point that has been raised. Why can football fans pack into a cinema, an indoor environment which is proven to be more conducive to virus transmission with no social distancing measures, but not sit outdoors in a football stadium at a safe distance to other spectators?

[AndyClaret]

As a minimum the club needs a competent Public Relations manager.

The current one is too busy venting his Boris derangement syndrome on twitter.

[ksrclaret]

The current one is too busy venting his Boris derangement syndrome on twitter.

Sounds to me like he's doing a sterling job of managing public relations, then. BLM seems to have gotten rid of a few who say they'll never renew again, so Bentley is probably just trying to finish the job. Our public image will improve no end without those hangers on.

[Lowbankclaret]

What’s the alternative to your ventilator removal waiver?

I think it’s a fair point that has been raised. Why can football fans pack into a cinema, an indoor environment which is proven to be more conducive to virus transmission with no social distancing measures, but not sit outdoors in a football stadium at a safe distance to other spectators?

Well I didn’t know they were open and they should not be open.

[ecc]

Sorry but I'm struggling to find anything about this on the OS (it must be on there but I am old and decrepit).

[dsr]

Yes get that.
I was working with many skilled engineers who claim the RR Ultrafan will be the best engine ever, but the ones I respected said it will never work.
On both fronts we will see.
In my opinion, we will not get a vaccine or the Ultrafan.

Well we won’t get a vaccine that stops everyone getting Covid.

If you don't believe we will get a vaccine then why the blazes do you want people to stay in? The only justification for this lockdown is that sooner or later a vaccine will come and we will get back to normal. If there will never be a vaccine then we might as well get out and about and take our chances.

What's the alternative? That we all go to work and go home and do nothing else apart from watch the telly. Then we retire so we don't go to work any more, we never go out, we never see anyone, and we sit there until we die of something else. What's the point? If your sole ambition in life is to keep breathing for as long as possible, then it's a life not worth living IMO.

[depechedingle]

I've not felt this disengaged from the club in a long time.

Exactly the way I feel Tony, my feeling of disconnect is as big as I ever known.

I am hopeful for that Saturday afternoon one club for all mentality will be back soon, but as a long serving patron and supporter of the club since 1979 I feel they currently have none or little interest in us the fans.

[depechedingle]

I'd also add the caveat that I am also feeling disengaged from Premier League Football as a whole.

[Woodleyclaret]

When I watched the World Cup games live on 1966 as a 17yr old I never thought I would never see another World Cup live game.With matches now being totally out of my price range this is so.
I always thought that I would stop going on the Turf when we were too infirm, not stopped by a virus that now shows no end of being defeated.

[Grumps]

Iam still waiting for someone to name a company who will allow you to keep all your benifits if you stop paying them and withdraw all your money from them.

[MACCA]

Back to the OP and a couple of questions I have.

1. If we continue to pay the DD and it gets to March and the usual early bird details are released, can we still decide nah I'm not renewing, can you get all your money back from previous season?

2. Can we continue to pay our DD and opt out of the ballot to attend matches should reduced crowds be allowed?

[Grumps]

Back to the OP and a couple of questions I have.

1. If we continue to pay the DD and it gets to March and the usual early bird details are released, can we still decide nah I'm not renewing, can you get all your money back from previous season?

2. Can we continue to pay our DD and opt out of the ballot to attend matches should reduced crowds be allowed?

I would have thought yes and yes, but a simple call to the club would answer your query

[MACCA]

I would have thought yes and yes, but a simple call to the club would answer your query

Thank you.

I dont call the clubs premium lines to then receive shoddy service and sometimes even incorrect information.

Using my sons magic 8 ball usually provides a better and more accurate service.

[Grumps]

Thank you.

I dont call the clubs premium lines to then receive shoddy service and sometimes even incorrect information.

Using my sons magic 8 ball usually provides a better and more accurate service.

I think there's a local number for the ticket office, or you could email for free, I've always found the club responsive to emails

[agreenwood]

Has anything been said about those who didn’t renew because the sales were suspended during the early bird window?

The last club update I saw was silent on that.

[Grumps]

We could easily be back to scratching around near the bottom of the Championship soon. The club would do well to remember who their loyal fans are, because the tourists, daytrippers and 50/50 scarf wearers sure as hell won't be there.

The club is a business, and like all businesses at this time requires as much income as possible.
If there was no benefit from keeping your money with them, or continuing your DD, then everybody would want a refund and stop paying monthly DDs... The club would suffer greatly financially..... They want the money, and there has to be an incentive for people to do that. The ballot, and cheaper tickets next season are the incentives.
It's nothing to do with day trippers, half and half scarves, is sensible business, nothing more, nothing less.

[Stevie Morgan]

Back to the OP and a couple of questions I have.

1. If we continue to pay the DD and it gets to March and the usual early bird details are released, can we still decide nah I'm not renewing, can you get all your money back from previous season?

2. Can we continue to pay our DD and opt out of the ballot to attend matches should reduced crowds be allowed?

I'd like to know the answer to 1. I don't want to be bounced into committing to next season given the all the uncertainty at the minute.

[jrgbfc]

The club is a business, and like all businesses at this time requires as much income as possible.
If there was no benefit from keeping your money with them, or continuing your DD, then everybody would want a refund and stop paying monthly DDs... The club would suffer greatly financially..... They want the money, and there has to be an incentive for people to do that. The ballot, and cheaper tickets next season are the incentives.
It's nothing to do with day trippers, half and half scarves, is sensible business, nothing more, nothing less.

Tbh I haven't got a problem with any of that. I was referring more to other things that have gone on in recent years with family members. All long standing season ticket holders that have had instances of being treated shabbily by the club. So much so that one of them hasn't step foot on the Turf for about 2 years.

[DCWat]

The club is a business, and like all businesses at this time requires as much income as possible.
If there was no benefit from keeping your money with them, or continuing your DD, then everybody would want a refund and stop paying monthly DDs... The club would suffer greatly financially..... They want the money, and there has to be an incentive for people to do that. The ballot, and cheaper tickets next season are the incentives.
It's nothing to do with day trippers, half and half scarves, is sensible business, nothing more, nothing less.

No, everybody wouldn’t want a refund. I’m happy for my money to sit there until next season. The ballot thing isn’t much of an incentive - I think it’d be crap to watch a game in a distanced stadium.

It wouldn’t have taken much thought to allow any season ticket holder for this season (refund or not) to have access to the ballot - those that have had a refund having to pay for the game(s) those not, having the balance taken from their credit.

Nor would it have been difficult for the club to decide that for 21/22 that all seats would be guaranteed until x date and that there would be no price increase.

You can’t pride yourself on being a community club and as soon as there is an issue affecting all of the community that you serve, dismissing what would be seen as community spirited.

I think it was you that mentioned losing a lot of the next generation of young fans. I don’t necessarily agree with this but I would say that not being seen to be supportive of the situation that your fan base finds itself in, risks more fans being lost.

I accept that the club needs money and is losing money. Hell, once this is all over, I can see us needing to increase ticket prices for the first time in years. Now is not the time for that though.

There isn’t a comparison between loyalty to a holiday firm that you’ve used for years and your football club. For 99.9% of fans there isn’t an alternative option when it comes to football, whereas you can use any number of different holiday firms. The option for football fans is to go or not and as a club that really needs its fans, we are going down the wrong path.

[Sean Dyche's Watch]

Back to the OP and a couple of questions I have.

1. If we continue to pay the DD and it gets to March and the usual early bird details are released, can we still decide nah I'm not renewing, can you get all your money back from previous season?

2. Can we continue to pay our DD and opt out of the ballot to attend matches should reduced crowds be allowed?

1. I wouldn't be surprised if the club presented the same threats they have done recently i.e. potential price rises, lack of monthly instalment options, and try to persuade you to keep the money 'on account' to use for the 2022/23 season.

2. I'd like to have that option too. Saves the club wasting their time in offering me a ticket I have no interest in accepting at the current time and under what will no doubt be many restrictions. It certainly won't be an enjoyable experience.

[Grumps]

No, everybody wouldn’t want a refund. I’m happy for my money to sit there until next season. The ballot thing isn’t much of an incentive - I think it’d be crap to watch a game in a distanced stadium.

It wouldn’t have taken much thought to allow any season ticket holder for this season (refund or not) to have access to the ballot - those that have had a refund having to pay for the game(s) those not, having the balance taken from their credit.

Nor would it have been difficult for the club to decide that for 21/22 that all seats would be guaranteed until x date and that there would be no price increase.

You can’t pride yourself on being a community club and as soon as there is an issue affecting all of the community that you serve, dismissing what would be seen as community spirited.

I think it was you that mentioned losing a lot of the next generation of young fans. I don’t necessarily agree with this but I would say that not being seen to be supportive of the situation that your fan base finds itself in, risks more fans being lost.

I accept that the club needs money and is losing money. Hell, once this is all over, I can see us needing to increase ticket prices for the first time in years. Now is not the time for that though.

There isn’t a comparison between loyalty to a holiday firm that you’ve used for years and your football club. For 99.9% of fans there isn’t an alternative option when it comes to football, whereas you can use any number of different holiday firms. The option for football fans is to go or not and as a club that really needs its fans, we are going down the wrong path.

If everyone got access to the ballot, and there was going to be no price increase as you suggest, why would anyone leave the money with the club, or continue paying?

No it wasn't me who mentioned the next generation of fans, I don't think we will lose them, it's not like they can go at watch another club. The biggest threat we have of losing them is if we get relegated, and the more money we lose, the more chance there is of that happening

BFC is still a business, a multi million pound one, and has to be run as such, unfortunately the days of clubs being run for the fans, at this level, have long gone

[DCWat]

If everyone got access to the ballot, and there was going to be no price increase as you suggest, why would anyone leave the money with the club, or continue paying?

No it wasn't me who mentioned the next generation of fans, I don't think we will lose them, it's not like they can go at watch another club. The biggest threat we have of losing them is if we get relegated, and the more money we lose, the more chance there is of that happening

BFC is still a business, a multi million pound one, and has to be run as such, unfortunately the days of clubs being run for the fans, at this level, have long gone

I wouldn’t bother taking my money out, I’d simply leave it there for the next season. I suspect, though I may be wrong, that plenty of people will do the same.

I just don’t like the idea of penalising loyal fans during what may be very difficult times for them.

The club will lose out in the long run by not considering them and thinking a little further ahead than the current / next season.

[Grumps]

I wouldn’t bother taking my money out, I’d simply leave it there for the next season. I suspect, though I may be wrong, that plenty of people will do the same.

I just don’t like the idea of penalising loyal fans during what may be very difficult times for them.

The club will lose out in the long run by not considering them and thinking a little further ahead than the current / next season.

Iam leaving my money in, because I want access to the ballot, if ever there is one, and I get next years ticket at the same price. Remove those incentives and I'd take it out.

[DCWat]

So between us we are at fifty fifty.

I’m more bothered about those that are penalised for not being in a position to make such a choice and whether or not, after all of this, they’ll decide to return.

[kaptin1]

Don’t hang your hopes on a vaccine, it’s a virus it’s gunna mutate. Bit like flu, each year it will be different.

Viral mutations are random but successful viruses tend to be ones that can spread without killing their host. The dominant strain that prevails therefore tends to be a less harmful version of the original virus. If no vaccine is developed there is a reasonable chance that the virus naturally becomes less harmful over time. Even if that doesn’t happen, we are already getting better at treating the symptoms of those patients who react badly to the virus. Whatever happens, it is likely that the virus will become a lot less impactful on society as time progresses as either the virus adapts to us or we adapt to the virus. That has typically been the case for major disease outbreaks in the past and will no doubt be the same again in future.

[Spike]

The club is in a very difficult situation as is the whole of mankind
Everyone is making mistakes left right and centre

The club is not bullying anyone . The club is trying to do its best in what is a no win situation

I have looked up the definition of bullying and the club certainly isn’t doing this .

I fully understand how stressful this for everyone and a lot of it comes from us losing the stress breaker that is going to watch Burnley.The loss of our social interaction is huge

Please all stay safe

[MACCA]

I'd like to know the answer to 1. I don't want to be bounced into committing to next season given the all the uncertainty at the minute.

That is the issue, although also I've found myself falling out with premier league football over the last 12 months, it's really been difficult getting excited/pumped up for games.

I was really pleased thinking football would be available nearly daily during lockdown periods, but the more I watch the more I seem to think this current set up isnt for me.

Obviously the Burnley board being as they are with fans, the lack of activity in the transfer windows and our poor start has probably added to my Meh feeling regards football at the minute.

Think another 6 months of this might just push me to the sack it off completely point.

[MACCA]

1. I wouldn't be surprised if the club presented the same threats they have done recently i.e. potential price rises, lack of monthly instalment options, and try to persuade you to keep the money 'on account' to use for the 2022/23 season.

2. I'd like to have that option too. Saves the club wasting their time in offering me a ticket I have no interest in accepting at the current time and under what will no doubt be many restrictions. It certainly won't be an enjoyable experience.

If you're scenario number 1 arises I'll be saying I'll have my money thank you, and goodbye, due to the reasons I've stated in the reply above this one.

I hear Colbe are building a new stadium, I'll go and enjoy their new facilities ( probably better than ours ) and watch the game played by people who love the game for the game it is.

[clarethomer]

No, everybody wouldn’t want a refund. I’m happy for my money to sit there until next season. The ballot thing isn’t much of an incentive - I think it’d be crap to watch a game in a distanced stadium.

It wouldn’t have taken much thought to allow any season ticket holder for this season (refund or not) to have access to the ballot - those that have had a refund having to pay for the game(s) those not, having the balance taken from their credit.

Nor would it have been difficult for the club to decide that for 21/22 that all seats would be guaranteed until x date and that there would be no price increase.

You can’t pride yourself on being a community club and as soon as there is an issue affecting all of the community that you serve, dismissing what would be seen as community spirited.

I think it was you that mentioned losing a lot of the next generation of young fans. I don’t necessarily agree with this but I would say that not being seen to be supportive of the situation that your fan base finds itself in, risks more fans being lost.

I accept that the club needs money and is losing money. Hell, once this is all over, I can see us needing to increase ticket prices for the first time in years. Now is not the time for that though.

There isn’t a comparison between loyalty to a holiday firm that you’ve used for years and your football club. For 99.9% of fans there isn’t an alternative option when it comes to football, whereas you can use any number of different holiday firms. The option for football fans is to go or not and as a club that really needs its fans, we are going down the wrong path.

I think if you look at BFC in isolation, your expectations may be closer to the mark but the problem is that BFC in consideration of it being part of the PL and also being in the middle of pandemic and trying to seek investment, then there has to be some commercial reality brought into our thinking. They are trying to keep some indication that the fans are remaining committed to the club (although poorly executed).

The club is losing money and is faced with the unknown of when this will end and how this will impact commercial contracts.

Being a community club is a two-way relationship and I am really sorry to say this (tin hat fully on) but the way some fans treat the club is unbelievable at times. They forget that for the club to support the community, it needs the community to support it. It becomes a tit for tat conversation and it's not healthy at all.

I don't want to mix up threads but the PPV situation is a prime example of this. The club needs fans to spend on the PPV so they have a business to support the community with. The fact that we have seen hundreds of people donate to the food bank (whilst undeniably a worthy cause of support) this is income taken from the club. Whether you disagree with the price is not the point - if you have donated £15 to the foodbank - you have deprived our club of supporting the community.

Yes, it's hard to get upset by seeing us having lots of money running through the club but its all accounted for to run the business and be of service to the community. Without that match day income and commercial income that they are missing, it makes it damn hard to be there for the community.

I am also very disappointed by the supporter's clubs approach to issuing inflammatory inaccurate/not fully informed statements which then justify the actions that people are taking with not paying. Yes, £15 was probably the top end of the scale but still a reasonable fee to expect for those fans who pay to go and watch live in the stadium (and yes I know some pay slightly more through this and that the experience you are paying for isn't the same).

This isn't a case of I'm alright so it's fine- this £15 should not be in question in reality as there should have been greater clarity of how the club benefits from this and a call to action to support this so we have a club to support our community. I appreciate that people who wouldn't normally buy tickets may be outpriced by this, or situations of job losses may have impacted.

However, I cannot for one minute understand why those people who can afford are taking this stance when it is directly hurting the club in this way and their ability to support their community. We have seen recurring debates over the year about loyalty points and how they give access to away games. The response is that the club rewards those fans who commit to the club.. Now the club is applying the same approach with this - it's all wrong. Feels like double standards to me....

Again - I don't expect people to agree with me on this but if only you take away that principle of when the air mask drops on an aeroplane and you are instructed to fit your mask first before helping others - the reason for this isn't selfishness, it is because if you can breathe, you can help those around you. To me, this is what the club is trying to do - fit their mask so they can continue to keep people employed, support their community and get through this awful time. When we are in the middle of a pandemic and we forget that community is 2 way then this is the time of most concern for me.

[Leisure]

Has anything been said about those who didn’t renew because the sales were suspended during the early bird window?

The last club update I saw was silent on that.

Yes, it was silent and on the club's website it states that they are off sale. However, anyone wanting to renew should be able to do so by contacting the Ticket Office.

[PaintYorkClaretnBlue]

Iam leaving my money in, because I want access to the ballot, if ever there is one, and I get next years ticket at the same price. Remove those incentives and I'd take it out.

I agree with everything that you have said on this thread.

[MACCA]

I don't want to mix up threads but the PPV situation is a prime example of this. The club needs fans to spend on the PPV so they have a business to support the community with. The fact that we have seen hundreds of people donate to the food bank (whilst undeniably a worthy cause of support) this is income taken from the club. Whether you disagree with the price is not the point - if you have donated £15 to the foodbank - you have deprived our club of supporting the community.

Regards this point and by not paying the £14.95 to watch Burnley has deprived the club of helping the community.

What do you think the clubs cut is from that £14.95?
£5? £10?
I'd go nearer the former. Then what % of that do you honestly think the club would put back into the needing community?
They arent even looking after their loyal customer, theyve even neglected the playing side of things to grab every last pound they can.
They/He/Them are looking after number 1, and number 1 only here, dont be hoodwinked into thinking anything else, and certainly dont feel sorry for them most are multi millionaires and/or far richer than the vast majority of the loyal customers and the town as a whole.


So by directly donating £5, £10 or even the full £14.95 to the community food bank or any other none profit charity that supports the community, you are providing far more for local families, and your money will reach out and help far more people than paying the £14.95 for PPV and hoping some trickles down.

[DCWat]

I think if you look at BFC in isolation, your expectations may be closer to the mark but the problem is that BFC in consideration of it being part of the PL and also being in the middle of pandemic and trying to seek investment, then there has to be some commercial reality brought into our thinking. They are trying to keep some indication that the fans are remaining committed to the club (although poorly executed).

The club is losing money and is faced with the unknown of when this will end and how this will impact commercial contracts.

Being a community club is a two-way relationship and I am really sorry to say this (tin hat fully on) but the way some fans treat the club is unbelievable at times. They forget that for the club to support the community, it needs the community to support it. It becomes a tit for tat conversation and it's not healthy at all.

I don't want to mix up threads but the PPV situation is a prime example of this. The club needs fans to spend on the PPV so they have a business to support the community with. The fact that we have seen hundreds of people donate to the food bank (whilst undeniably a worthy cause of support) this is income taken from the club. Whether you disagree with the price is not the point - if you have donated £15 to the foodbank - you have deprived our club of supporting the community.

Yes, it's hard to get upset by seeing us having lots of money running through the club but its all accounted for to run the business and be of service to the community. Without that match day income and commercial income that they are missing, it makes it damn hard to be there for the community.

I am also very disappointed by the supporter's clubs approach to issuing inflammatory inaccurate/not fully informed statements which then justify the actions that people are taking with not paying. Yes, £15 was probably the top end of the scale but still a reasonable fee to expect for those fans who pay to go and watch live in the stadium (and yes I know some pay slightly more through this and that the experience you are paying for isn't the same).

This isn't a case of I'm alright so it's fine- this £15 should not be in question in reality as there should have been greater clarity of how the club benefits from this and a call to action to support this so we have a club to support our community. I appreciate that people who wouldn't normally buy tickets may be outpriced by this, or situations of job losses may have impacted.

However, I cannot for one minute understand why those people who can afford are taking this stance when it is directly hurting the club in this way and their ability to support their community. We have seen recurring debates over the year about loyalty points and how they give access to away games. The response is that the club rewards those fans who commit to the club.. Now the club is applying the same approach with this - it's all wrong. Feels like double standards to me....

Again - I don't expect people to agree with me on this but if only you take away that principle of when the air mask drops on an aeroplane and you are instructed to fit your mask first before helping others - the reason for this isn't selfishness, it is because if you can breathe, you can help those around you. To me, this is what the club is trying to do - fit their mask so they can continue to keep people employed, support their community and get through this awful time. When we are in the middle of a pandemic and we forget that community is 2 way then this is the time of most concern for me.

Good post, CH.

You’re right, it is a two way thing. It would have helped the club no end if the communication being put out was as balanced as your post.