Tickets & Points.

[beddie]

Decided to ring the T/O today to try and get two Boro away tickets. I was told I don’t have enough points, it came as a shock as I’ve been a ST holder for 40 + years. The lady explained they’d changed it to points gained over the last five years only, she said the idea was to give the younger people a chance to get tickets. It shocked me to be honest. She said I can ring tomorrow. I’m sure this new five year rule will have already been discussed at length previously on here but I having not been to an away game for over 6 years due to personal circumstances I probably ignored reading it. We were kicked out of our seats in the JHL that we’d held since inception of that stand when they required more corporate seats, then recently they hiked the price of our Senior S/T. Where has the loyalty gone? Anyway gripe over.

[ClaretTony]

Was brought in ahead of the 2023/24 season beddie. Only points from the start of the 2019/20 season now count.

[beddie]

Was brought in ahead of the 2023/24 season beddie. Only points from the start of the 2019/20 season now count.

Thanks CT, I’d no idea. I really need to take more notice.

[whiffa]

I can see the point of view for both sides of the argument and sadly I can't think of a resolution that would please everyone. Hope you manage to get a ticket sorted Beddie.

[ClaretTony]

You will have enough points for tomorrow beddie if you’ve had a season ticket for all the qualifying years.

[Big Vinny K]

Decided to ring the T/O today to try and get two Boro away tickets. I was told I don’t have enough points, it came as a shock as I’ve been a ST holder for 40 + years. The lady explained they’d changed it to points gained over the last five years only, she said the idea was to give the younger people a chance to get tickets. It shocked me to be honest. She said I can ring tomorrow. I’m sure this new five year rule will have already been discussed at length previously on here but I having not been to an away game for over 6 years due to personal circumstances I probably ignored reading it. We were kicked out of our seats in the JHL that we’d held since inception of that stand when they required more corporate seats, then recently they hiked the price of our Senior S/T. Where has the loyalty gone? Anyway gripe over.

Hi.
If you still want to go I can get you 2 tickets.
Post your email on here and I’ll message you.

[colne-claret]

It’s the fairest it’s been in years. On the old scheme, a younger person was never going to catch up with older season ticket holders. Why should a young person who’s gone every away game in a season maybe miss out on a ticket at Blackburn for example to somebody who hasn’t been on an away game all year? I think it’s the one thing the club have got right in recent times.

This isn’t a dig at the OP at all. Just an example. And also, I’m not one of the younger one that benefits

[ClaretTony]

Why should a young person who’s gone every away game in a season maybe miss out on a ticket at Blackburn for example to somebody who hasn’t been on an away game all year?

A neighbour of mine and his mates all got Blackburn tickets last time and they don't go on the Turf. Others, like myself, who never miss, didn't get one. So I'd say that's a bad example.

[pistol]

A neighbour of mine and his mates all got Blackburn tickets last time and they don't go on the Turf. Others, like myself, who never miss, didn't get one. So I'd say that's a bad example.

The last Blackburn game was prior to the points system being ammended so surely its a great example of why it is/was needed…

[pistol]

The last Blackburn game was prior to the points system being ammended so surely its a great example of why it is/was needed…

Also not sure how they got em without season ticket and 6k points given the ballot :/

[Row x]

Also not sure how they got em without season ticket and 6k points given the ballot :/

Easy. Someone with enough points, but not attending the game get the tickets for them.

Happens every away game, which is why the system is a farce.

[The Shire Claret]

I feel for the fans that have had ST for years and years that now don’t have an advantage anymore as they are the most loyal.

But it’s the fans that hadn’t had a ST for years and haven’t been on for years but still had more points than someone that hadn’t missed a game in years.

Why should they have an advantage over a 20 year old lad that’s not missed a game for 4 seasons and is a new supporter. He can,t that help he’s not older

So in the grande scheme I think it was the right choice

I hope you get your tickets though !

UTC

[colne-claret]

A neighbour of mine and his mates all got Blackburn tickets last time and they don't go on the Turf. Others, like myself, who never miss, didn't get one. So I'd say that's a bad example.

It was an example of a popular game. Not that specific one. And as another poster said, it has changed since then.

[colne-claret]

Easy. Someone with enough points, but not attending the game get the tickets for them.

Happens every away game, which is why the system is a farce.

Out of interest - how would you suggest they go about the loyalty system?

[colne-claret]

A neighbour of mine and his mates all got Blackburn tickets last time and they don't go on the Turf. Others, like myself, who never miss, didn't get one. So I'd say that's a bad example.

Also to add to this Tony. That ballot was awful. They can’t ever do that again. Hopefully this new system will ensure that there’s no need for that again….you’d like to imagine anyway

[wilks_bfc]

I feel for the fans that have had ST for years and years that now don’t have an advantage anymore as they are the most loyal.

But it’s the fans that hadn’t had a ST for years and haven’t been on for years but still had more points than someone that hadn’t missed a game in years.

Why should they have an advantage over a 20 year old lad that’s not missed a game for 4 seasons and is a new supporter. He can,t that help he’s not older

So in the grande scheme I think it was the right choice

I hope you get your tickets though !

UTC

If you don’t have a ST, the number of points you had are irrelevant as you had to have a ST and 6000+

[NottsClaret]

Is it that much of an issue this season, other than at Ewood? Sheff United away on Boxing Day went to general sale so I imagine most will. Hardly justifies paying for some extortionate priority scheme.

[Row x]

Out of interest - how would you suggest they go about the loyalty system?

Depends on your definition of loyalty.

However whilst people can get tickets for those with no points, whilst the system allows clarets numbers to be used to buy tickets not in the category of that number and various other get arounds, the system is a farce, whether there's a better farce of a system, I don't know.

[Quickenthetempo]

Depends on your definition of loyalty.

However whilst people can get tickets for those with no points, whilst the system allows clarets numbers to be used to buy tickets not in the category of that number and various other get arounds, the system is a farce, whether there's a better farce of a system, I don't know.

If anyone is getting other people to buy their away tickets when most games go to general sale. They are silly.

Build your own points up instead.

[BradTee93]

Another way to slowly build points too is to 'download' your season tickets to your phone. Did it for the Swansea game & tonights and on both occasions they've given us 10 points. Handy tip if anyone is just under the next sections threshold

[Row x]

If anyone is getting other people to buy their away tickets when most games go to general sale. They are silly.

Build your own points up instead.

Because the people they go to games with have over 2k points, so if they want to sit with them they need to buy at the same time
They are not, and have never been season ticket holders, so will never be able to build up their own points enough.

[pistol]

Depends on your definition of loyalty.

However whilst people can get tickets for those with no points, whilst the system allows clarets numbers to be used to buy tickets not in the category of that number and various other get arounds, the system is a farce, whether there's a better farce of a system, I don't know.

To my knowledge they have now closed to loophole that allowed someone to buy an u18 on an adult season ticker (at least online) maybe not in person mind….

Unless they do collect with ID like england… your never stopping the buying of tickets for other people.

Id also hazard theres some who share tickets in a family due to cost

[Leisure]

Depends on your definition of loyalty.

However whilst people can get tickets for those with no points, whilst the system allows clarets numbers to be used to buy tickets not in the category of that number and various other get arounds, the system is a farce, whether there's a better farce of a system, I don't know.

There isn't a system that is perfect. Every club in the country has a slightly different system and each system will suit some people but not others.

[Row x]

To my knowledge they have now closed to loophole that allowed someone to buy an u18 on an adult season ticker (at least online) maybe not in person mind….

Unless they do collect with ID like england… your never stopping the buying of tickets for other people.

Id also hazard theres some who share tickets in a family due to cost

You can certainly buy an adult ticket with a senior season ticket online

You never will stop it, which is why it's a farce

[ClaretTony]

The last Blackburn game was prior to the points system being ammended so surely its a great example of why it is/was needed…

Tickets were supposed to go to season ticket holders with 6,000 points only for that game. The neighbours who got them don’t go on the Turf. Nothing to do with the loyalty system.

[gandhisflipflop]

Tickets were supposed to go to season ticket holders with 6,000 points only for that game. The neighbours who got them don’t go on the Turf. Nothing to do with the loyalty system.

It’s been happening for years but to many ‘I’m alright jacks’ to kick up too much of a fuss. I missed out on the Blackpool game in 2014 Easter weekend and went to the castle pub instead. The camera panned on the crowd and I spotted several people who I knew and know haven’t been on the turf in years.

[Quickenthetempo]

Because the people they go to games with have over 2k points, so if they want to sit with them they need to buy at the same time
They are not, and have never been season ticket holders, so will never be able to build up their own points enough.

I get your point, But they can only use their points/ticket once. So they can't sit next to them unless corporate, who get 4 tickets each.

[Row x]

I get your point, But they can only use their points/ticket once. So they can't sit next to them unless corporate, who get 4 tickets each.

6 people go to games together. 5 have enough points to buy on first day of sale. 1 hasn't so uses points of someone who has enough but isn't going to the game, then all 6 can sit together.

[what now !]

i disagree with the idea that a 20 year old that has been watching games for 5 years is a more loyal fan than someone who has been watching for the last say 40 years.

if the fan in his 50's-60's hadn't gone to all the games they went too , bought a season ticket every year whilst the club wasn't successful i.e. in the 80's and 90's when we were in the bottom tier, then there may not have been a club for the 20 year old to support , it is that loyalty that is not being recognised by the club when allocating tickets even though Mr Parker has acknowledged that the fan base are important. i see the argument both way but to simply dismiss a lifetime of support is ridiculous.

the allocation of tickets in this way is a symptom of being successful and having a large fanbase that wants to attend away games. its a good problem to be able to moan about there are plenty of clubs that would love to have our fanbase.

[ChorltonCharlie]

Young people are entitled aren't they?

Older generation - "hold my beer"

On the topic of using others numbers. I think the current system goes someway to resolving it, but unfortunately people with a lot of points based on others using their number is deep rooted. There's no hard evidence for how much this has happened over the years, but there'll be a significant number of long term season ticket holders who rarely go away who let others use their numbers. Similarly, there'll be a decent amount of fans who don't have season tickets who use a mates number.

The latest system will never fully eradicate it, and will take years to even start to get rid of it. There is no real solution without upsetting a lot of people. If we were to stay in the Championship for sometime (or worse) then you could do a hard reset and take everyone back to zero whilst demand is low. Take away the benefit of having to be a ST holder to qualify and you might end up in a position where 99% of fans are using their number and using the ticket. It then comes down to the lesser of two evils. Get rid of the dodgy use of using others numbers, or remove the small perk of ST holders getting first dibs (but only with the required away attendance)? The likelihood is it would be the same people regardless.

I always think the idea of a loyalty points system is over-egged anyway. It's the people who go to two thirds plus of away games who need prioritising. The rest of us all pick and choose to some degree and as most games don't sell out quickly it could just be open season other than a few hundred reserved tickets for the people who go to the majority.

[Row x]

i disagree with the idea that a 20 year old that has been watching games for 5 years is a more loyal fan than someone who has been watching for the last say 40 years.

if the fan in his 50's-60's hadn't gone to all the games they went too , bought a season ticket every year whilst the club wasn't successful i.e. in the 80's and 90's when we were in the bottom tier, then there may not have been a club for the 20 year old to support , it is that loyalty that is not being recognised by the club when allocating tickets even though Mr Parker has acknowledged that the fan base are important. i see the argument both way but to simply dismiss a lifetime of support is ridiculous.

the allocation of tickets in this way is a symptom of being successful and having a large fanbase that wants to attend away games. its a good problem to be able to moan about there are plenty of clubs that would love to have our fanbase.

My first season ticket was 1973, and one every year since.
For many seasons, good and bad I attended about 90% of away games
Only advancing years has limited my away games to around 5 a season
Personally I think I've earned the right to pick which away games I attend, but unless I allow someone to use my number for tickets, I will drop below the 2k in the coming seasons and lose that choice. At what point does loyalty end?

[what now !]

Young people are entitled aren't they?

Older generation - "hold my beer"

On the topic of using others numbers. I think the current system goes someway to resolving it, but unfortunately people with a lot of points based on others using their number is deep rooted. There's no hard evidence for how much this has happened over the years, but there'll be a significant number of long term season ticket holders who rarely go away who let others use their numbers. Similarly, there'll be a decent amount of fans who don't have season tickets who use a mates number.

The latest system will never fully eradicate it, and will take years to even start to get rid of it. There is no real solution without upsetting a lot of people. If we were to stay in the Championship for sometime (or worse) then you could do a hard reset and take everyone back to zero whilst demand is low. Take away the benefit of having to be a ST holder to qualify and you might end up in a position where 99% of fans are using their number and using the ticket. It then comes down to the lesser of two evils. Get rid of the dodgy use of using others numbers, or remove the small perk of ST holders getting first dibs (but only with the required away attendance)? The likelihood is it would be the same people regardless.

I always think the idea of a loyalty points system is over-egged anyway. It's the people who go to two thirds plus of away games who need prioritising. The rest of us all pick and choose to some degree and as most games don't sell out quickly it could just be open season other than a few hundred reserved tickets for the people who go to the majority.

yes of course younger people are entitled to go but will they stop being fans if we go into decline? probably a large percentage will do. look at clubs like Huddersfield , Reading, Blackpool and Wigan who sold out virtually every game when they were in the prem, look at their attendances now. can barley fill half the ground, even those down the road struggle to sell home tickets and give over 7,000 tickets to some visiting teams, like i said its a good problem for the club to have, but if you alienate the older generation that did go and watch in the bad old days, if we return there, they will have hardly any fans in attendance.

[quoonbeatz]

Said this many times on here before but there’s only one system that is truly fair.

Priority for all ST holders, then general sale. Never heard a decent argument against it.

[Dyched]

What nonsense this “loyal” talk is. Doesn’t mean you’re more loyal because you’ve been around longer or you go to more games. Every fan is “loyal’, that’s why the support that team and always will.

[what now !]

Said this many times on here before but there’s only one system that is truly fair.

Priority for all ST holders, then general sale. Never heard a decent argument against it.

for the sake of devilment, i will have a go ...........

so i buy a season ticket in the summer for the season now, and i have never been to an away match and only the odd home match before today, all of a sudden i get the urge to watch them away. so under the season ticket holder first then general sale rule i log on and get a ticket ,

however, they guy i sit next too who has been a season ticket holder for the last 20 years and has gone religiously to every single game home and away for the last 20 years , cant get a ticket , i would be interested if you that that is a fair reward for loyalty ?

you can always make an argument against anything. i think the one i just put up is a decent enough argument if we are talking about loyalty , which is what the points system is.

[what now !]

What nonsense this “loyal” talk is. Doesn’t mean you’re more loyal because you’ve been around longer or you go to more games. Every fan is “loyal’, that’s why the support that team and always will.

why is it called loyalty scheme then ??

they are only loyal til they stop which would be a good percentage if we got relegated to league 1 or 2

yes you can be more loyal than other fans as people have said some people never travel away some people travel to every away game , who would you say was more loyal?

[Dyched]

why is it called loyalty scheme then ??

yes you can be more loyal than other fans as people have said some people never travel away some people travel to every away game , who would you say was more loyal?

Okay.

How is a retired supporter who is free and can get to all 46 games a season, more loyal than someone who can only get to 5 games a season due to work. How?! There’s many reason why some can go every week and some can’t.

[NottsClaret]

I think it's about right how they do it now. Not that it makes much difference this season, or for the foreseeable future if we don't go up.

There'll always be ways round it, friends sorting out friends with tickets. I doubt there's a club in the country that prevents that entirely.

Back in the day it was how long you were prepared to stand on Brunshaw Road - anyone remember Blackpool away in the FA Cup? - now that was a good system.

[Rileybobs]

What nonsense this “loyal” talk is. Doesn’t mean you’re more loyal because you’ve been around longer or you go to more games. Every fan is “loyal’, that’s why the support that team and always will.

Was just about to say this. The whole idea of loyalty is pathetic. I think almost every Burnley fan will be equally loyal in that they will exclusiveley support the club. Some people go to every game, some people go to very few - that will depend on a myriad of personal circumstances and nothing to do with loyalty.

It makes me laugh when I see someone say well done to the fans who travelled to Bristol, for example. Well done for what? Doing something that you enjoy? I don't get congratulated when I take a long flight to go on holiday.

[what now !]

you are being presumptuous that the said fan was retired and had nothing to do with his time,

imagine for a minute they worked 40 hours a week took the time of work to travel to every game , same as the guy that can only get to 5 away games a season. who would you say was more loyal. i will leave it to you to decide that one

or if you want your supporter that can only get to 5 away games a season and someone who only wants to go to one, say Blackburn !! who is more loyal the guy that makes it to 5 or they guy that makes it to 1 . hence the points awarded for loyalty for away games

[quoonbeatz]

for the sake of devilment, i will have a go ...........

so i buy a season ticket in the summer for the season now, and i have never been to an away match and only the odd home match before today, all of a sudden i get the urge to watch them away. so under the season ticket holder first then general sale rule i log on and get a ticket ,

however, they guy i sit next too who has been a season ticket holder for the last 20 years and has gone religiously to every single game home and away for the last 20 years , cant get a ticket , i would be interested if you that that is a fair reward for loyalty ?

you can always make an argument against anything. i think the one i just put up is a decent enough argument if we are talking about loyalty , which is what the points system is.

‘Loyalty’ is total ********. It shouldn’t matter what you’ve done in the past. Everyone who has a season ticket has committed before, usually way before, the season starts. They’re all loyal.

Having all ST holders priority, then gen sale means you get rid of the age problem, the family/friend groups not being able to buy together problem, the buying for others without the points problem, etc.

[what now !]

like i said it is called a loyalty scheme so that sort of gives it away.

in any case , i think we have only sold 1 of our away games out this season and that was Leeds so all that want a ticket should be able to get it

ok well we will just have to disagree that some fans are less loyal than others ,

like i said before its a problem the club would rather have than having to ask for a reduced allocation as they know they wont sell any away tickets.

[Dyched]

you are being presumptuous that the said fan was retired and had nothing to do with his time,

imagine for a minute they worked 40 hours a week took the time of work to travel to every game , same as the guy that can only get to 5 away games a season. who would you say was more loyal. i will leave it to you to decide that one

or if you want your supporter that can only get to 5 away games a season and someone who only wants to go to one, say Blackburn !! who is more loyal the guy that makes it to 5 or they guy that makes it to 1 . hence the points awarded for loyalty for away games

My point is “loyalty” is the same for every fan, no matter their circumstances, age or anything.

You were the one starting nonsense say our coffin dodgers are more loyal and they wouldn’t be a club for the younger ones to even support, never mind get a ticket for.

[what now !]

My point is “loyalty” is the same for every fan, no matter their circumstances, age or anything.

You were the one starting nonsense say our coffin dodgers are more loyal and they wouldn’t be a club for the younger ones to even support, never mind get a ticket for.

so if we had gone bust and ended up like Bury , would you be going home and away every week, i shall hazard a guess that the answer would be no if its yes then good on ya !!

[Big Vinny K]

Okay.

How is a retired supporter who is free and can get to all 46 games a season, more loyal than someone who can only get to 5 games a season due to work. How?! There’s many reason why some can go every week and some can’t.

I think pretty much sums up the issue. If you make the definition of loyalty an emotive one then you just go round in circles as with your example and others people are using it’s very difficult to decide either way who is the most loyal.
I’ve supported the club for 50 years too and probably had a season ticket for 35 years of these but I don’t regard myself as any more loyal than some of our kids who have been going on the games with us for the last 10 or so years but unlike me these days go to nearly every away game.

You use the example of people not being able to go to all away games because of work. A perfectly valid reason. But it’s also equally as valid that a 25 year old cannot have had a season ticket for 40 years through no fault of his or her own !!

Not sure there is a perfect solution. But if you look at this pretty clinically then personally I would say that those fans who go to more away games should have some priority for away tickets. Yes factor in season tickets too as that also recognises some loyalty and commitment to spend money watching Burnley. I think if you use either solely season tickets or solely away tickets purchased it ends up not as fair so a combination of the 2 seems best. That is of course what we have but maybe the formula we have used to get to the loyalty points number is the area that needs tweaking ?

[what now !]

My point is “loyalty” is the same for every fan, no matter their circumstances, age or anything.

You were the one starting nonsense say our coffin dodgers are more loyal and they wouldn’t be a club for the younger ones to even support, never mind get a ticket for.

i wonder if when you are in your later years that you will be going home and away every week if we are in the 4th tier? come back to me when you get that age, although i doubt i will still be around.

so if we had gone bust and ended up like Bury , would you be going home and away every week, i shall hazard a guess that the answer would probably be no if its yes then good on ya !!

i hope you manage to get all the away tickets you want including them lot down the road. but i suspect we may not get an allocation big enough for everyone that wants to go to be able to go.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Which ever ticket system is in place someone who it doesn't suit will moan about it, that how it will always be.

There isn't 1 system possible that would suit everyone, the only one that would work is if someone wants to go they can do.
Considering there is a limited number for every single game, if we sell out someone has missed out. I never bought much into some of the previous whining saying it was impossible to build up points, it was possible but wasn't if you wanted to cherry pick.

I imagine not 1 single football fan would want to use facial recognition to gain access but if all clubs brought this measure in and the name on the ticket had to match your own photo ID that you had to take to games or you would be denied access then it would be met with complaints. Seen as no club has ever brought in a different option that suits every single fan perhaps we would do well to accept that in life sometimes you don't get what you always want.

[what now !]

I think pretty much sums up the issue. If you make the definition of loyalty an emotive one then you just go round in circles as with your example and others people are using it’s very difficult to decide either way who is the most loyal.
I’ve supported the club for 50 years too and probably had a season ticket for 35 years of these but I don’t regard myself as any more loyal than some of our kids who have been going on the games with us for the last 10 or so years but unlike me these days go to nearly every away game.

You use the example of people not being able to go to all away games because of work. A perfectly valid reason. But it’s also equally as valid that a 25 year old cannot have had a season ticket for 40 years through no fault of his or her own !!

Not sure there is a perfect solution. But if you look at this pretty clinically then personally I would say that those fans who go to more away games should have some priority for away tickets. Yes factor in season tickets too as that also recognises some loyalty and commitment to spend money watching Burnley. I think if you use either solely season tickets or solely away tickets purchased it ends up not as fair so a combination of the 2 seems best. That is of course what we have but maybe the formula we have used to get to the loyalty points number is the area that needs tweaking ?

i sort of agree, but the guy who has been going for 40 years was once in their first few seasons and may not have been able to get a ticket for an away game had such a scheme existed so we are not comparing apples with apples. my point being some of the younger fans today wont be going in 30 years time otherwise no young ones would have a ticket home or away if everyone followed the team into their old age.

there is no perfect solution and you said it your self "factor in season tickets too as that also recognises some loyalty and commitment to spend money watching Burnley" there has to be a degree of loyalty applied or the examples i give would cause more debate, as it stands i think the system we have at the moment is about as fair as they can get albeit a premium member can get priority just because they can afford the platinum membership, but thats a whole other can of worms !!!

[NottsClaret]

It makes me laugh when I see someone say well done to the fans who travelled to Bristol, for example. Well done for what? Doing something that you enjoy?

It's true that. Every away game I've been to was because I wanted to watch Burnley play and have a bit of a day out. Even in the late 80s, I went because I enjoyed it for whatever reason, not because I was dedicated to 'keeping the club alive'. Either way, if there's a 16 year old lad who goes all over now, I'd be happy if he got in before me.

Even if a once-a-season chancer gets a ticket to Ewood, good luck to him, enjoy the day and support the lads. I've had times when I've been a casual fan for a few seasons but it didn't prey on my conscience if I managed to get a ticket for a big, high-demand match.

There's loads of 'better' Burnley fans than me but I can still get a ticket for almost any game I want to go to - through the proper channels -, so the system can't be that broken. As it stands, we're debating a problem that barely even exists.

[Dyched]

i wonder if when you are in your later years that you will be going home and away every week if we are in the 4th tier? come back to me when you get that age, although i doubt i will still be around.

so if we had gone bust and ended up like Bury , would you be going home and away every week, i shall hazard a guess that the answer would probably be no if its yes then good on ya !!

i hope you manage to get all the away tickets you want including them lot down the road. but i suspect we may not get an allocation big enough for everyone that wants to go to be able to go.

It really depends on my situation and where I am I suppose.

I couldn’t go for 15 years after I left school due to work. Went to the games where I could (home and away). For the past few years I’ve had the time to go more often but haven’t much. Why? A season ticket wouldn’t work (won’t use it enough) and buying several tickets for games is far too much. Most away games require too long a time frame for us as well. But that doesn't make me less “loyal” or less entitled to get a ticket against Blackburn, Leeds or Barcelona.

The reason why I’m against loyalty cards is simple. Once my children get old enough, I’d love them to experience the times I’ve had as a fan. Home and away. Quite obviously local away games like Blackburn, Preston, Leeds require far less time and cost to go to. Would travelling on a coach/car for 3/4/5 hours each way to an away game give them the bug? Not at all. Would a quick car ride down the road and be back home for 6pm? Far more likely.