I think it goes to show how difficult it is to guage fans feelings. Your individual experiences yesterday were different to mine. If Steve Waggott was doing his walkaround who did he speak to? If the Board sign on here (which occasionally I think Directors have) do they get the right vibe? Maybe.
Anyway I have made my decision to renew asap as I feel its the right decision for me to take and I hope if others do similarly it well help the club during these difficult times.
I think yesterday's performance, if not necessarily the result, will also impact on the enthusiasm of some in terms of how quickly they will renew.
Had we rolled over and lost 3-0, I'm not sure that I for one would this morning be feeling quite as 'positive' about next season. I have been planning to send the form back, but at the moment might well do it a bit quicker than I might have done.
On the other side, you can't get away from the fact that the actual home attendances have been dropping off as the season has gone on. It will be very interesting - and important for the finances, no doubt - to see how this is reflected in next season's renewal rate.
A petulant part of me wanted to hold off until the last possible moment in the belief that it that would somehow send the board a message, although I wasn't clear what my message was, other than I'm not 'appy. Realised it was a crap idea and the club needs the finances now, so 2 phone renewals on Tuesday coming up.
Seems that a lot of people will be renewing but dont necessarily have the immediate cash to do so. I havent had a season ticket this year for the first time in a good few years (changed jobs and couldnt do it for financial reasons) but will definitley be getting one next season as saving for it now.
As someone posted earlier the club needs an idea of how many people will be renewing or (like myself) signing up for a season ticket for next season so as to assess the finances when looking at renewing contracts etc. An equally valid point that has been made that in the current climate disposable cash is a lot scarcer now for many than perhaps before so they wont necessarily part with their cash until as late as possible even though they have every intention of getting one.
So how about something in between? ie. the club sends out a survey to current ST holders or puts it on the OS (with red card number required etc) to ask whether they will be renewing for definite and maybe even ask for a small deposit of 10% etc now (which could be taken off full price of ticket perhaps upon full payment.)
At the end of the day no charlton fan is going to deliberately mislead the club ie say now that they will be definitley renewing and then not when it comes round to it other than if their circumstances change and it just isnt financially or otherwise viable. So with a built in buffer zone of saying that maybe conservatively 75% of those surveyed who have said they will definitley be renewing/ getting a ticket WILL actually buy one then they will be able to prudently estimate a realistic budget of what they will have to play with in the next month or so rather than waiting til the last week of renewal deadline to get a completely accurate picture.
My situation is uncertain for a number of reasons so I have some thinking to do.
For instance my daughter might be away at uni next season and also becomes an u 21 so do I keep the 2nd seat or not? Do I want to go on my tod more often or not if I do renew?
They are just two of the the footballing reasons I need to consider let alone the non-footballing ones.
[cite]Posted By: LenGlover[/cite]My situation is uncertain for a number of reasons so I have some thinking to do.
For instance my daughter might be away at uni next season and also becomes an u 21 so do I keep the 2nd seat or not? Do I want to go on my tod more often or not if I do renew?
They are just two of the the footballing reasons I need to consider let alone the non-footballing ones.
Do what I do Len, I have an under 11 seat for my Grandson and when its to cold or a night game and he cant go, and a mate wants to use I simply upgrade it, and this year it will be even cheaper.
[cite]Posted By: RodneyCharltonTrotta[/cite]Seems that a lot of people will be renewing but dont necessarily have the immediate cash to do so. I havent had a season ticket this year for the first time in a good few years (changed jobs and couldnt do it for financial reasons) but will definitley be getting one next season as saving for it now.
As someone posted earlier the club needs an idea of how many people will be renewing or (like myself) signing up for a season ticket for next season so as to assess the finances when looking at renewing contracts etc. An equally valid point that has been made that in the current climate disposable cash is a lot scarcer now for many than perhaps before so they wont necessarily part with their cash until as late as possible even though they have every intention of getting one.
So how about something in between? ie. the club sends out a survey to current ST holders or puts it on the OS (with red card number required etc) to ask whether they will be renewing for definite and maybe even ask for a small deposit of 10% etc now (which could be taken off full price of ticket perhaps upon full payment.)
At the end of the day no charlton fan is going to deliberately mislead the club ie say now that they will be definitley renewing and then not when it comes round to it other than if their circumstances change and it just isnt financially or otherwise viable. So with a built in buffer zone of saying that maybe conservatively 75% of those surveyed who have said they will definitley be renewing/ getting a ticket WILL actually buy one then they will be able to prudently estimate a realistic budget of what they will have to play with in the next month or so rather than waiting til the last week of renewal deadline to get a completely accurate picture.
A good suggestion.
Isn't there a monthly pay scheme for those who cannot afford the full outlay?
Think there is as my mate pays his in installments by direct debit (about £40 a month or around that) for the North Upper. Hopefully that will be continued next term.
how many new season ticket holder's will there be not many imho.so the chances of my existing seat being sold minimal
will renew not until august though.
[cite]Posted By: northstandsteve[/cite]how many new season ticket holder's will there be not many imho.so the chances of my existing seat being sold minimal
I'm glad to see that a lot are renewing immediately but the fact is at the moment a large number of season ticket holders are staying away and if you are doing that now why would you suddenly return next season. It's going to be interesting to see the renewal rates.
[cite]Posted By: LenGlover[/cite]I honestly don't think that the speed with which fans renew will make a lot of difference.
If the right offers come in the players will want to leave or the Board will want to cash in.
That is the reality regardless of what the fans do or don't do.
sorry, but I disagree. If say the Board had received an offer for a player they really wanted to hang on to a lack of season ticket sales could force a sale which might not be necessary if people had renewed. The Board won't be able to gamble on possible renewals whic don't then materialise.
[cite]Posted By: LenGlover[/cite]I honestly don't think that the speed with which fans renew will make a lot of difference.
If the right offers come in the players will want to leave or the Board will want to cash in.
That is the reality regardless of what the fans do or don't do.
sorry, but I disagree. If say the Board had received an offer for a player they really wanted to hang on to a lack of season ticket sales could force a sale which might not be necessary if people had renewed. The Board won't be able to gamble on possible renewals whic don't then materialise.
I agree with Large. I think it will be the difference between watching a promotion hunting team or a mid table team (or god forbid relegation). The latter will not get any more through the gates and the spiral continues.
I think a lot of fans will delay but as the season approaches our optimism returns and there will be a number of renewals at the start of the season - So why don't you do it now - you know you want to!
[cite]Posted By: LenGlover[/cite]I honestly don't think that the speed with which fans renew will make a lot of difference.
If the right offers come in the players will want to leave or the Board will want to cash in.
That is the reality regardless of what the fans do or don't do.
sorry, but I disagree. If say the Board had received an offer for a player they really wanted to hang on to a lack of season ticket sales could force a sale which might not be necessary if people had renewed. The Board won't be able to gamble on possible renewals whic don't then materialise.
At the same time, the number of renewals won't make that much difference. Reid didn't get sold because of renewals, or because he wanted to go, he went because they received an offer that they (bizarrely) thought was worth risking the season on.
I reckon the players that will go will be the same if 100% of fans renew as if virtually nobody does. If you assume 5,000 ST holders are in the balance then that's worth around £1.5M revenue (much of which will be offset because most of those will come to some games, anyway - I don't believe somebody might either renew or never go to the Valley again). That £1.5M is well more than offset by the salary alone of any two out of Ambrose, Hudson and ZZ who will all go. If they get an offer they can't refuse on Racon, Jonjo or Bailey I'd like to think it would be at least £1.5M (though we have cut some questionable deals in the past), plus you'd take their salary off the books to boot.
Given the amount of debt, and the fact that most of it is to the directors, and the fact that transfer fees plus salary is a lot more than tickets, expect players to go to balance the books regardless of whether renewals go well or badly. I'm not saying that ST sales aren't important it's all good revenue and there are additional profits to be made from catering etc. but I don't see it as being the primary driver. I imagine they'll try and hold off on sales until late in the summer, but that doesn't mean they won't happen.
We renewed yesterday for the same reason. Plus it stopped all the shall we, shan't we nonsense that had started to dominate our lives. Not happy, but still addickted.
Sadly what started years ago as a solid group of six has dwindled down to only three of us this campaign and now my two mates have informed me they have no interest in going to any of the remaining games or renenwing next season. I shall however will be even if I do have to go alone!
My form has landed too and I will be renewing for me and the Old Man on Monday. I've decided to take advantage of the £49 kid ticket too for my step-brother's 7 year old. We took the poor sod six times this season and he hasn't seen a victory. His support has been waning and he's asked his Dad for a Chelsea shirt recently. I'm hoping a decent season, albeit in league One, might save him from becoming a Glory Boy.
The post has just arrived at my place with our renewal requests. The letter is from Keith Peacock (an all-time hero with North Eastern roots), he says it is absolutely vital that those of us who care about Charlton stick together in these difficult times, both on the pitch and in the wider economy. (does that mean both the playing staff, and the other club staff?).he goes on to say that season-ticket income will be vital to the challenge we must mount next season. Good bit of delegation that, getting Keith Peacock to write the letter, last weeks programme had a similar request from our CEO (another man with North eastern roots). I reckon that Keiths picture on the letter has a more cheery smile than the CEO's, although Keith will always , for me, be associated with natty facial hair, which although our CEO tries to match, in my view doesn't pull it off as well as Keith. As for renewal.....there is a long way to go, and a lot of information to gather before we will commit for next season, not least who our manager will be, and how the club will be spending our money.
Comments
Anyway I have made my decision to renew asap as I feel its the right decision for me to take and I hope if others do similarly it well help the club during these difficult times.
Had we rolled over and lost 3-0, I'm not sure that I for one would this morning be feeling quite as 'positive' about next season. I have been planning to send the form back, but at the moment might well do it a bit quicker than I might have done.
On the other side, you can't get away from the fact that the actual home attendances have been dropping off as the season has gone on. It will be very interesting - and important for the finances, no doubt - to see how this is reflected in next season's renewal rate.
As someone posted earlier the club needs an idea of how many people will be renewing or (like myself) signing up for a season ticket for next season so as to assess the finances when looking at renewing contracts etc. An equally valid point that has been made that in the current climate disposable cash is a lot scarcer now for many than perhaps before so they wont necessarily part with their cash until as late as possible even though they have every intention of getting one.
So how about something in between? ie. the club sends out a survey to current ST holders or puts it on the OS (with red card number required etc) to ask whether they will be renewing for definite and maybe even ask for a small deposit of 10% etc now (which could be taken off full price of ticket perhaps upon full payment.)
At the end of the day no charlton fan is going to deliberately mislead the club ie say now that they will be definitley renewing and then not when it comes round to it other than if their circumstances change and it just isnt financially or otherwise viable. So with a built in buffer zone of saying that maybe conservatively 75% of those surveyed who have said they will definitley be renewing/ getting a ticket WILL actually buy one then they will be able to prudently estimate a realistic budget of what they will have to play with in the next month or so rather than waiting til the last week of renewal deadline to get a completely accurate picture.
For instance my daughter might be away at uni next season and also becomes an u 21 so do I keep the 2nd seat or not? Do I want to go on my tod more often or not if I do renew?
They are just two of the the footballing reasons I need to consider let alone the non-footballing ones.
Do what I do Len, I have an under 11 seat for my Grandson and when its to cold or a night game and he cant go, and a mate wants to use I simply upgrade it, and this year it will be even cheaper.
isn't the free season ticket if we go up a cash incentive?
it would've saved me a few hundred notes.
as for me renewing.
i will probably wait until a few weeks into the season and then decide.
A good suggestion.
Isn't there a monthly pay scheme for those who cannot afford the full outlay?
Think there is as my mate pays his in installments by direct debit (about £40 a month or around that) for the North Upper. Hopefully that will be continued next term.
I will be renewing when I get the forms.
Oops, now changed to whisper!
will renew not until august though.
Never discount sod's law...
If the right offers come in the players will want to leave or the Board will want to cash in.
That is the reality regardless of what the fans do or don't do.
sorry, but I disagree. If say the Board had received an offer for a player they really wanted to hang on to a lack of season ticket sales could force a sale which might not be necessary if people had renewed. The Board won't be able to gamble on possible renewals whic don't then materialise.
I agree with Large. I think it will be the difference between watching a promotion hunting team or a mid table team (or god forbid relegation). The latter will not get any more through the gates and the spiral continues.
I think a lot of fans will delay but as the season approaches our optimism returns and there will be a number of renewals at the start of the season - So why don't you do it now - you know you want to!
I reckon the players that will go will be the same if 100% of fans renew as if virtually nobody does. If you assume 5,000 ST holders are in the balance then that's worth around £1.5M revenue (much of which will be offset because most of those will come to some games, anyway - I don't believe somebody might either renew or never go to the Valley again). That £1.5M is well more than offset by the salary alone of any two out of Ambrose, Hudson and ZZ who will all go. If they get an offer they can't refuse on Racon, Jonjo or Bailey I'd like to think it would be at least £1.5M (though we have cut some questionable deals in the past), plus you'd take their salary off the books to boot.
Given the amount of debt, and the fact that most of it is to the directors, and the fact that transfer fees plus salary is a lot more than tickets, expect players to go to balance the books regardless of whether renewals go well or badly. I'm not saying that ST sales aren't important it's all good revenue and there are additional profits to be made from catering etc. but I don't see it as being the primary driver. I imagine they'll try and hold off on sales until late in the summer, but that doesn't mean they won't happen.
Kimbo & Harryamuse
Onwards and upwards...
The letter is from Keith Peacock (an all-time hero with North Eastern roots), he says it is absolutely vital that those of us who care about Charlton stick together in these difficult times, both on the pitch and in the wider economy. (does that mean both the playing staff, and the other club staff?).he goes on to say that season-ticket income will be vital to the challenge we must mount next season.
Good bit of delegation that, getting Keith Peacock to write the letter, last weeks programme had a similar request from our CEO (another man with North eastern roots). I reckon that Keiths picture on the letter has a more cheery smile than the CEO's, although Keith will always , for me, be associated with natty facial hair, which although our CEO tries to match, in my view doesn't pull it off as well as Keith.
As for renewal.....there is a long way to go, and a lot of information to gather before we will commit for next season, not least who our manager will be, and how the club will be spending our money.
But oh yes, we WILL be there next year.