Ominous new ticketing policy?

[New York Red]

I just got this email. It seems like the club is cutting it's ties with the supporters clubs and controlling the lot in the future. I hope they make trips easy to organize even if they are going to charge more.

 

2007 Club Trip to Anfield cancelled

From Daragh Kennedy, club president:

 

Due to the new ticketing policy adopted by Liverpool Football Club, I have made the rather reluctant decision to cancel this year's proposed trip to Anfield. I had contacted those who had previously expressed an interest in attending some weeks ago, to notify them of this. This message is to confirm to everyone else that there will not be an organized trip this year. In fact, the future of these trips is one of uncertainty.

 

The reasons for the cancellation are many, but are primarily because of the lack of support that we as an International branch of Liverpool Football Club now receive. In previous years, the Association of International Branches (A.I.B.) received an allocation for every Premier League home game, and had been able to assist us in arranging tickets for Champions League fixtures. This is no longer the case. Though we may have still had the ability to secure a block of tickets for a Premier League fixture, the chances of receiving a confirmed allotment of tickets for a European game would have been nearly impossible.

 

Historically, I have always arranged trips in October and November so we can view two games, one in the Premier League, and one Champions League game. To travel all the way to England to attend one game as a group did not seem very practical to me, especially as now the airfare for such a journey is $800.

 

Frankly, the cost is another issue we have had to deal with. With the dollar performing so poorly against the British pound, the cost of this year's trip probably would have exceeded $1600.

 

It now seems that we receive no benefits with being affiliated with Liverpool Football Club. Sure, they put on dinner dances and activities for the international branches, but being located all over the U.S, it would seem unlikely we would take advantage of any of these activities.

 

Essentially now, for us to obtain tickets, we are forced to go through the normal process that all individual fans must go through worldwide. All fans must possess a fan card, and present that fan card number and credit card details to me, in order for me to submit a request on your behalf.

 

I deeply regret that it has come to this, as we have enjoyed eight terrific group trips, where many fans took advantage of the opportunity to visit Anfield. We have seen some marvelous games, visited the Academy, and Melwood, and met many players, past and present.

 

Pictures from past trips are available n our website and can be accessed at: http://www.lfcny.org/photopages/photos02.htm.

 

Regards,

 

Daragh

LFCNY President

[Spike]

isn't this more likely as a result of the european ticketing debacle in general? I think it unlikely that they are simply taking away your allocation in order to give it to anyone less deserving.

 

Sounds like these supporters clubs get a fair craic with the ex-player visits etc - do you have to subscribe for them also?

[magneto]

I'm chairman of the South African Supporters Club and face the same issues as your chairman (I assume that's he's title there).

 

The new procedures at Anfield are extremely Admin-intensive. Not everyone here has a Fan Card and not everyone can plan a trip without getting confirmation that their ticket application has been successful.

[R A Softlad]

To be fair they probably just heard that you were a c**t.

[magneto]

To be fair they're helping us as much as they can (even though I am a c***). The issue is that the aren't being very fair to fans across the world.

[Guest Finnan3]

To be fair they probably just heard that you were a c**t.

[Tim]

The issue is that the aren't being very fair to fans across the world.

 

 

Not sure about that, everyone has the same opportunity to apply for tickets.

 

All supporters club's branches have been having their allocations cut over recent seasons, last summer the club sent branches a short questionaire on which they would rather have, full allocation for a few games or a much reduced allocation for most, if not all, games.

[Guest sniffer]

Maybe, NYK Red, it is time for your Chairman (?) to get in touch with Gillett...?

[RP]

Not everyone here has a Fan Card

 

I love that line of argument.

[magneto]

Not sure about that, everyone has the same opportunity to apply for tickets.

 

All supporters club's branches have been having their allocations cut over recent seasons, last summer the club sent branches a short questionaire on which they would rather have, full allocation for a few games or a much reduced allocation for most, if not all, games.

 

Its easier to plan a trip from America than it is from South Africa or Malaysia, so you cannot say it's 100% fair but there's nothing you can really do under the present system.

 

The problem is that you cannot always just apply for 20 or 30 in one go. Some of our members find out they can go to the UK 2 months before a game. By the time I send over the Fan Card application form and Ticket Application form, the game is sold out.

 

Furthermore, we cannot just get the fan card because an original form of proof of identification has to be submitted to Anfield. This can only be done in person.

 

I've chatted to Victoria and Stephanie at the AIB and both have allowed my members to present their passports as proof of identification upon getting their tickets. The fan card will then get issued to the members.

 

As for the questionnaire, nothing was sent to us.

 

The system has been criticised by many, you should see some of the emails doing the rounds from the Swiss and Dutch Supporters Clubs criticising the AIB. We're happy to get the 5 or 6 tickets now and then, but more should be done to cater for those of us in far away lands.

[magneto]

I love that line of argument.

 

As per the new rules, especially for us, we cannot enter Anfield without one.

[New York Red]

Maybe, NYK Red, it is time for your Chairman (?) to get in touch with Gillett...?

 

I'm sure him and Connie Lofton will. They're pretty good people and I don't think they'll just let it slip by. They'll work something out.

[SkippyjonJones]

There is a slightly easier answer for those in the USA…

 

Just wait til next years pre season tour ..

[Guest Snorky]

does this mean more tickets for locals

[IgPig]

Furthermore, we cannot just get the fan card because an original form of proof of identification has to be submitted to Anfield. This can only be done in person.

 

 

Is that an OS thing as I don't remember submitting ID beyond the credit card details that the £2 for the fan card was coming off.

[magneto]

Is that an OS thing as I don't remember submitting ID beyond the credit card details that the £2 for the fan card was coming off.

 

OS?

 

The AIB ladies (used to be Joan Byrne but now she's got some new blood there) state that the application forms are not longer enough. This is also written on the form where it states that an original utility bill has to be submitted for proof of address.

 

I queried the practicality of such a process especially as I don't think Anfield really care that I live in XX Street XX Suburb XX Province South Africa. It's all stupid.

 

The Passport however will prove my identification that I am indeed who I say I am.

[Bo Benn]

Have to ask just in case I got things horribly wrong. I will hopefully make the trip to Anfield soon...

 

Not everyone that buys a match ticket needs a fan card right? It's only for those that want their present accounted for when applying for big game tickets, no?

 

You guys (NYR & Magneto) need a fan card because it's a special arrangement with the club and supporters club?

 

BTW this reminded me to check with my local branch to see if they have an arrangement, thanks!

[magneto]

Any ticket bought through the ticket office needs a corresponding fan card number. I'm sure this applies to locals as well.

[Hightown Phil]

Why should an international supporters club get a block of tickets for games, specifically Champions League games, without any prior loyalty?

 

Make them apply like any other Tom, Dick or Harry.

 

You want a ticket, you get in the queue. Just because you have a meeting once a month, and this applies to every supporters club, why should be able to ring the club up, tell them you've got a coach that needs filling and get tickets from the club?

 

If the Merseyside Supporters Club can't get tickets, then why should the American/South African?

[magneto]

how narrow-minded.

 

Anyway.

[Tim]

Any ticket bought through the ticket office needs a corresponding fan card number. I'm sure this applies to locals as well.

 

 

You don't need a fan card to buy tickets, although it is advisable. Even with supporters clubs you haven't needed fan cards to buy tickets (alot of the time the ticket office ignored the fan card details and just put it through the branch name and number).

 

Its easier to plan a trip from America than it is from South Africa or Malaysia, so you cannot say it's 100% fair but there's nothing you can really do under the present system.

 

The problem is that you cannot always just apply for 20 or 30 in one go. Some of our members find out they can go to the UK 2 months before a game. By the time I send over the Fan Card application form and Ticket Application form, the game is sold out.

 

The deadline for applications for AIB has been around 40 days, a good couple of weeks fewer than the two months you mention, and applications can be faxed.

[CarraLegend]

how narrow-minded.

 

Anyway.

 

He's spot on

[Hightown Phil]

how narrow-minded.

 

Anyway.

 

How's that narrow minded?

 

If you want a ticket, you'll get one without them being handed out by the club.

[Bo Benn]

Any ticket bought through the ticket office needs a corresponding fan card number. I'm sure this applies to locals as well.

 

See I'm not a local but my local branch is the Swedish/Scandinavian one. I'm asking because it seems strange for people who seldom go to games, like myself, needing to get a fancard.

 

OS says this

 

"General sales begin 18 days before a Home Premier League fixture and are available through the credit card hotline, postal application and for Fancard holders an online sale. These dates are subject to change."

 

I take that as fancard buyers and other ticket buyers are two separate groups. Therefore fancards are not compulsory.

 

Should I get a fancard just to make it easier to get a ticket or to make the the purchasing process smoother? It not a huge expense anyways...

 

 

EDIT: Thanks Tim, didn't see your reply before posting.

Edited August 27, 2007 by obey Hysén

[magneto]

You don't need a fan card to buy tickets, although it is advisable. Even with supporters clubs you haven't needed fan cards to buy tickets (alot of the time the ticket office ignored the fan card details and just put it through the branch name and number).

The deadline for applications for AIB has been around 40 days, a good couple of weeks fewer than the two months you mention, and applications can be faxed.

 

I have been told via email from both Victoria and Stephanie (if you know who they are) that under no circumstances will tickets be given to individuals if there is no fan card number or fan card application form attached.

 

I don't fax them, I email them which is nice to a certain degree.

 

40 days, 2 months, it doesn't really make a difference. Not everyone can plan trips as flexible as those closer to the UK.

 

Anyway, I'm praying my Arsenal application has gone through as some of us are going across. The problem with Anfield is that they say they'll get back to you instantly with a "successful" or "unsuccessful" application for tickets, but in reality you have to drag the information out of them.

 

Once we move into the new stadium I hope that the allocation gets bigger and the system is improved. 2 ladies working on 200 supporters clubs around the world isn't very efficient.