Dear Mr. Cook, What happens when my lad grows up?

[Goataldo]

Great post Saulman.

I suspect this has nothing to do with generating atmosphere, and everything to do with generating more revenue, not that we're skint or anything.

IMO the Family Stand should be a place where parents can go with younguns to avoid the indelicate sensibilities of the boozed up masses.

If someone thinks their kid is old enough to go to a game and hear the usual bile and hilarity, then it should be up to them. IT's not up to the club to decide whether or not to wrap fans' children in (very expensive) cotton wool.

[carl_feedthegoat]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Rant of the day.
excellent.

[Beefymcfc]

2 questions:

1. What is wrong with corporates, won't they subsidise other ticket prices and bring in money to fund future aspirations?

2. If people don't want to move to/sit in the North Stand, or if you were planning to bring your kid next season, is a £45 difference in a SC so extreme?

[Nige]

Where will the adults from South Stand re-locate to for cup games? The north stand will be 40% for cold Tuesday night carling cup games which will make us look stupid.

I'm more pissed off with having to front £500 ish quid up front just to find some smug twat next to me at the first game happy with his £250 value card. I'll hit the fookin roof I tell you now Mr Cook!

[Beefymcfc]

Where will the adults from South Stand re-locate to for cup games? The north stand will be 40% for cold Tuesday night carling cup games which will make us look stupid.

I'm more pissed off with having to front £500 ish quid up front just to find some smug twat next to me at the first game happy with his £250 value card. I'll hit the fookin roof I tell you now Mr Cook!

I can't see any of the cheap tickets being in the SS mate, more in CB/East Levels 1 & 3, but yes, I know what you mean.

[Nige]

Beefy, that's what I meant I sit in CB3

Just a passing thought for the SS crew.

[CITYSTEVEDON]

a ? for all of you, now most of you as well as me have been to most,if not all games this season, apart from seats in the gods in the cb east stand, where has there been lots of empty seats at games, yes the 2nd tier in the north stand, now if the ist tier is going to be for families won there be more empty seats there.

[Beefymcfc]

And another question, if they're charging different prices for the kids for the SC, what will it be for a single ticket? In fact, what will it be for all the types of single ticket?

[Nick]

Hm reading the posts since has confused me. I agree that you shouldnt be forced to move if you have kids that like to be in more 'colourful' parts of the ground. For example, I have always been the way I am in being passionate about city and cheering the team on, so i would be mightly pissed off if i was sat next to aload of kids that couldnt give a fuck about watching the game / are closet rags.

As i haven't read whats happening I cant fully comment, but i imagine the club is not forcing people to move? Its just charging a little extra if kids want the seats that adults are demanding?

On a personal issue, Will i be able to get a season ticket for the first time in early- mide june in a decent seat with atmosphere? I am 21 and as far as i am aware its my last year of cheapish prices, so Im thinking there will still be 21 priced season cards?

I have final uni exams at the moment and cant get one now because I need to sort out my saturday work commitments, but i have a feeling I will be left with shitty non-atmosphere seats in which case Id get a city card and try and get good seats when tickets go on sale early.

ALSO, re: atmosphere. Removing people that are finally comfortable with mates/ friends there sat with will make the atmosphere worse IMO. The move to COMS killed the atmosphere as people were moved all over the ground.

[Nick]

Looked on the site. No info on purchasing a season ticket if your not renewing.

it says south stand is where to be for the atmosphere, I dont think thats needed really. Everyone knows this and it also classes 111 as south stand which i also thought was part of the east stand really.

What they need to do is encourage more atmosphere in the rest of the east stand, further on from 111. its no fucking good with 3 blocks being full of the only people who can be arsed to sing because chances are were not all gonna get there, and your left with empty seats/ silence in other parts of the ground.

And fuck the corporate/prawn sandwhich idea!

LOL at ashtons legendary rant! I think hes right. The moaning bastards have made the dads that dont mind the swearing suffer financially.

[Blue Since 76]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Nice. Frankly, I don't give a fuck about you and hopefully, your seat has just been sold to a 'puff'.

However, I sit in the north stand and there are people in there who make me cringe with the torrent abuse from the first minute to the last. I occasionally take my 8 year old daughter or 4 year old son and, no, they don't swear like that when I'm around. It's called decency and good manners. Sorry if that's a little old fashioned for you. I also find that I can get wound up without needing to use every four letter word under the sun, but maybe that's the benefit of an education.

I'm in a situation where I either have to move from my seat, or get a season ticket for one of the kids so I can stay where I am. If I move, the noises coming out of the club suggest that the seat will either be at the very front of the first tier or somewhere in the third tier, both of which I'd consider an inferior view and matchday experience than the one I currently have.

If the club are planning on extending the ground, I think they should have done that first and then made the new tier the family stand. Someone mentioned last week that they have put all the cheap seats in one stand, so have they done it to reduce the impact on revenue whilst building work is undertaken?

As for the corporates on level 2, I'll leave it to the official site to explain that:

"To complement the great views, The Colin Bell Stand and East Stand Level Two, will for season 2011/12 be refurbished to a high standard providing a premium experience for supporters. This will include improved facilities and services on the concourse. With these improvements there will be an increase in price and some supporters may like to take the opportunity this season to relocate ahead of the changes for 2011/12."

[paulh]

from a personal aspect i cant complain 420 for south stand upper (£20 a game) if the stand movements mean a louder south stand fantastic. I believe it is moving with times and is possibly in preperation for expansion on ground etc. Saying that I do feel for some parties being moved i.e families. but we need to move with times, give different matchday experiences and fill ground every game now and when we expand

[Dazzacity]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Iv noticed a few of your posts. You got my vote for legend status!

[Slim]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Iv noticed a few of your posts. You got my vote for legend status!

Thank fuck you don't get one.

[Dazzacity]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Iv noticed a few of your posts. You got my vote for legend status!

Thank fuck you don't get one.

Well it wouldnt fookin go to you, thats for sure..

[Slim]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Iv noticed a few of your posts. You got my vote for legend status!

Thank fuck you don't get one.

Well it wouldnt fookin go to you, thats for sure..

That's okay, don't need a vote to get legend status.

[Goaters 103]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Nice. Frankly, I don't give a fuck about you and hopefully, your seat has just been sold to a 'puff'.

However, I sit in the north stand and there are people in there who make me cringe with the torrent abuse from the first minute to the last. I occasionally take my 8 year old daughter or 4 year old son and, no, they don't swear like that when I'm around. It's called decency and good manners. Sorry if that's a little old fashioned for you. I also find that I can get wound up without needing to use every four letter word under the sun, but maybe that's the benefit of an education.

I'm in a situation where I either have to move from my seat, or get a season ticket for one of the kids so I can stay where I am. If I move, the noises coming out of the club suggest that the seat will either be at the very front of the first tier or somewhere in the third tier, both of which I'd consider an inferior view and matchday experience than the one I currently have.

If the club are planning on extending the ground, I think they should have done that first and then made the new tier the family stand. Someone mentioned last week that they have put all the cheap seats in one stand, so have they done it to reduce the impact on revenue whilst building work is undertaken?

As for the corporates on level 2, I'll leave it to the official site to explain that:

"To complement the great views, The Colin Bell Stand and East Stand Level Two, will for season 2011/12 be refurbished to a high standard providing a premium experience for supporters. This will include improved facilities and services on the concourse. With these improvements there will be an increase in price and some supporters may like to take the opportunity this season to relocate ahead of the changes for 2011/12."

This.

I take both my kids to the game, ages 9 and 7 and quite frankly would rather be as far away as possible from complete halfwits like Ashton287.

I first went to games with my Parents, moving from Maine Stand to Platt Lane and finally Kippax with my parents and probably heard every swearword in the book and inhaled too much ciggie smoke for my own good. Fact is, things have moved on a bit since then and if we can offer a better experience then why on earth cant we offer encouragement to people to bring their kids, who are after all the next generation of fans?

I dont take my kids to any away games as they are too young for that and rightly so, but they should have the right to attend homegames without being exposed to cigarette smoke which is still there in the toilets and on the spirals, constant swearing and pissed up halfwits. The clubs idea is a section of the ground for each type of fan or age group; I dont agree with exactly how its been done but the concept is a good one.

[Goaters 103]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Iv noticed a few of your posts. You got my vote for legend status!

Thank fuck you don't get one.

Spot on Slim.

[Dazzacity]

its bollocks, what they should have done was made the north stand available to families FIRST and told anyone intrested in it what they were planning on doing there for the kids so anyone that WANTED to relocate there could have first refusal, and then let anyone who didnt want to take advantage of there gay arse family crap keep there seats, its the soft cunts that go mithering to the stewards when they hear a swear word next to there precious kids that have caused this.

and before anyone starts no i dont give a fuck about other peoples kids and anyone who thinks there kids dont swear when there not around is a dillusional fuck that needs to get there head out there arse and go recycle some plastic bottles or whatever it is you puffs do for fun these days.

Iv noticed a few of your posts. You got my vote for legend status!

Thank fuck you don't get one.

Spot on Slim.

Dont worry. It would only change his user name to a light blue. It wouldnt line him up for PM or anything..

[lythamblue]

Dear Mr. Cook,

What happens when my 9 year old boy grows up? We currently occupy two seats on the front row of tier 2, East Stand. I am surrounded by some great people. My match experience couldn't be any better, to be honest. Great view, near the away fans and the singing section of East. Close enough to get the atmosphere from the south stand but still far enough away for my boy to be exposed to some of the harsher language that I can decipher.
It has been suggested that I move myself and him to the North Stand to 'enhance my family matchday experience'. This is something that I simply will not do. I like my seats and I like the people who sit around me, and frankly....I can afford the extra ton expense you've thrown my way. However, for those with two or three kids in the stand, I feel extremely sorry for. One family I know and speak with at half time have already decided to relocate simply because of the financial 'encouragement'.

Now, supposing that I do give up my prime seats in favour of a more 'family friendly' atmosphere, what happens when my boy grows up. What happens when dad and son become two grown men sitting in the family stand taking up much needed 'family seats'? Will we be relocated? If so, can I have my old seats back?

Also, is there anything to the rumour that this is 'just the beginning'? That the whole of East Tier Two is earmarked for corporates? That kids season discounts wil become a thing of the past unless you're in the North Stand? That season tickets in that part of the stadium will soar in price?

I am now very worried about the future of my 'matchday experience'. I suspect that I'm not the only one.

Please put my mind at rest.

Saul


EDIT: If anyone else has heard anything about these rumours, please post them. I hope there is no substance.

Saulman, as you know I have 4 tickets (2 juniors)in the row behind you and you are not alone in you feelings in this respect.

I too love my seats and the people I sit around and I am gutted about what they are trying to do.

It's not so much the money, because even though I too will get hit for another £272 next season, the price is still not too far above what it was when the Stadium originally opened (kids tickets were £300 each remember) and I suppose if I was prepared to pay it then, I should be prepared to pay it now.

However, it's the 2011/12 season that worries me. We have no idea what these so called 'Premium' tickets are going to cost or even what they are going to include. But the biggest worry is ..... who will we be sitting with??!! I don't want to sit with a load of corporates who change every week, are only there for a jolly and don't even like football never mind support City. I will admit .... that through my company we also often have a Box and seats in various corporate lounges ....but I always leave them to the Sales staff to sort out with customers and guests and never bother going in them myself.

My matchday experience is with my wife and two kids, sat in great view seats and surrounded by people who are knowledgeable about all things City and whom i have grown to know and like ...... IT'S PERFECT ....WHY SHOULD THAT HAVE TO CHANGE!!!

Also, where would I change to? Any alternative seat would not be as good and I thoroughly agree, would definately reduce my matchday experience and enjoyment.

I feel that this is purely a load of bollox to just increase ticket revenue. Fair enough, but the club should be honest and state their intentions ..... and cut all the crap about 'retaining our soul' and all that crap. At the very least, they should decide what the policy and prices are going to be in 2011/12 and then at least we know what to expect after next season.

If enough of us feel this way ..... we should do something about it. If the club takes the stance of "who cares because we can then resell your seats at twice the price to our new 'plastics' ..... then at least we ALL know the score. Effectively they will be saying to us tha "they don't really want OLD CITY ...... and what they really want is NEW UNITED".