Sexstone

[bs3]

I never been a big fan of Sexstone and I have always had a go at him on this forum. Having said that I thought he done very well on Twentypence talk last.

He was asked about the Millwall fans not being bussed to Ashton Gate , he said that they didn't like to bus fans in and out and our fans didn't like that situation, he also said how would it be poosible to bus 35000 Forrest fans to the Ashton Gate, Twentyman replied that Forrest v City was not a potential flash point , well that shows how much Twentyman knows. Sexstone went on and said that if we get promoted we are going to have to deal with much larger away followings.

I'm glad Sexstone was not in favour of bussing away fans in, the Millwall game was such a storm in a tea cup, the Millwall fans who entered the game late did so because their train was late and the Police escorted them from Temple meads. I was surprised Twentyman brought up this none subject!

Going on to the tickets for the Boro game. I had to agree with him when he said he was surprised with the demand for tickets.

I was working away this week and my mate phoned me up on Friday morning and told me he got me a ticket for the game when he told me it was a sell out already I did not belive him, I was going to buy my ticket this week and I would have been dissappoint.

Which ever way tickets was sold some fans would be dissapoint. Sexstone explained if there was a vocher system, fans not able to get to the Ashton Gate would be penalised.

The truth of the matter is demand has outstripped sulpy and there is winning and losers and there is no way you can have a 100% fair way.

I can not belive people are calling this a PR disaster, it is not.

The question Twentyman should of ask is what are the plans to increase the capacity of Ashton Gate because this goes to prove if we do get promoted nad we do get a litttle suucess then Ashton Gate is not big engough.

I am no fan of Sexstone or Lansdown but they are not to blame for over 17000 City fans wanting to see the match against Boro.

If I didn't get a ticket as well as being gutted I would be delighted we sold the Gate out. And I would not blame anyone if I was not able to get one. Life is not always fair thats just the way it goes.

[Dollymarie]

Copied from the evening post. I would like to point out here that any comments I may make in this thread are my own and not those of the Supporters Trust.

Club chief executive Colin Sexstone has not ruled out the possibility of tickets still being available next week.

The club will announce on Monday whether there will be a further general sale of tickets, which would take place from Tuesday morning.

I do wish he'd make up his mind

That may include any seats not taken up by season-ticket holders, while provision could also be made to sell any tickets which might be returned by Middlesbrough.

So theyre going to put some of us in the away end are they?

Sexstone explained: "More than 65 per cent of season-ticket holders have taken up their allocation, but we are conscious that there are going to be a number of people who are going to find it difficult to book their seats in time, including those fans travelling to Oldham.

"We have sold more than 12,000 tickets so far in just under two days, which is an incredible effort on everyone's part.

You would have still sold those 12,000 tickets in 5 or 6 days if you had done it properly.

"We are grateful to supporters for their patience as selling this number of tickets within such a short space of time is a big operation and unfortunately that will always cause queueing and a wait on the phone lines."

Roughly translates as "we have a phone system that cant cope and we don't mind taking your money whilst you're on hold."

Sexstone admitted the club had been taken aback by the public response, but defended the decision to put tickets on general sale straight away.

He revealed: "Ordinarily in this type of situation, we would give season ticket holders priority and they would have a few days in which to secure their seats.

"We would then put the remaining tickets on general sale.

"But prevailing circumstances meant we had to do things differently.

Thats rubbish, the only prevailing thing around here recently has been the wind.

Sexton is the one at the beginning of the season saying that ST holders are the backbone of the club...be nice if he could prove it

"We had to allow for the possibility of Bristol Rovers and ourselves both winning our Johnstone's Paint Trophy ties on Tuesday and then meeting in the southern area final.

"Demand to see that game would be immense and would put our staff under intense pressure once more.

So how are we going to cope when we get into the championship then and this sort of thing is happening every week? Its not the ticketing staffs fault they're doing the best they can.

"We wanted to avoid a situation where we were selling for two big games at the same time and that was why we opted to put FA Cup tickets on general sale immediately."

The whole situation is a joke in my opinion Mr Sextone. Link to story here

[Bristol Boy]

He was asked about the Millwall fans not being bussed to Ashton Gate , he said that they didn't like to bus fans in and out and our fans didn't like that situation, he also said how would it be poosible to bus 35000 Forrest fans to the Ashton Gate, Twentyman replied that Forrest v City was not a potential flash point , well that shows how much Twentyman knows. Sexstone went on and said that if we get promoted we are going to have to deal with much larger away followings.

Millwall brought 561.They should have been bussed

I'm glad Sexstone was not in favour of bussing away fans in, the Millwall game was such a storm in a tea cup, the Millwall fans who entered the game late did so because their train was late and the Police escorted them from Temple meads.

Nonsense.Some of the Millwall Fans-In fact most of those "late arrivers" were in Bristol before 12.30 and in The Colliseum, guarded by police.Bussing would have avoided much of that hullaballoo-in fact about 95% of it

Going on to the tickets for the Boro game. I had to agree with him when he said he was surprised with the demand for tickets.

I was working away this week and my mate phoned me up on Friday morning and told me he got me a ticket for the game when he told me it was a sell out already I did not belive him, I was going to buy my ticket this week and I would have been dissappoint.

Which ever way tickets was sold some fans would be dissapoint. Sexstone explained if there was a vocher system, fans not able to get to the Ashton Gate would be penalised.

The truth of the matter is demand has outstripped sulpy and there is winning and losers and there is no way you can have a 100% fair way.

Absolute nonsense.There have been various suggestions regarding a fair way on this Forum.It takes planning, organisation, good I.T. and forethought

I can not belive people are calling this a PR disaster, it is not.

No and neither was the Premier Club, was it

The question Twentyman should of ask is what are the plans to increase the capacity of Ashton Gate because this goes to prove if we do get promoted nad we do get a litttle suucess then Ashton Gate is not big engough.

We know the answer-We just can't fund it and CS knows all about that

I am no fan of Sexstone or Lansdown but they are not to blame for over 17000 City fans wanting to see the match against Boro.

If I didn't get a ticket as well as being gutted I would be delighted we sold the Gate out. And I would not blame anyone if I was not able to get one. Life is not always fair thats just the way it goes.

I think you're in for a long couple of days

[robins72]

Just sums up what I said yesterday its all a business for Mr Sextone. People don't matter to him. The fans don't matter. Really gets my goat it does

[bs3]

Well that all seems fair to me Dolly,

Sale the reminder tickets on Tuesday when ST have had their chance to cliam their seats.

If Boro don't sell all their tickets, yes why not sale the rest to City fans and segregate them in the Eastend, I thought that what people have wanted City fans in the Eastend.

What is the problem?

[bs3]

Bristol boy I disagree with you on the subject of bussing in fans, I belive we live in a free society and fans should have the right to travel to games any way they want. I don't want this country to turn into a police state.

Take a look at the Swansea game how many fans went there now look at the Forrest we took aroun 4000, what sort of football match do you want to go to, the away day at Forrest or the away day at Swansea.

If we get bussed to Swansea, Cardiff, Millwall then it wil be Swindon Yeovill Coventry in the cup, its the thin end of the wedge.

I'm a free man in a free country and should have the right of free movement and able to attend football matches freely in this country.

[stortfordred]

I'm a free man in a free country and should have the right of free movement and able to attend football matches freely in this country.

That's right you're a free man, a BS3 man.

no way you can have a 100% fair way.

Sexstone: 'It's my way or the highway.'

[SimplyRed]

...Roughly translates as "we have a phone system that cant cope and we don't mind taking your money whilst you're on hold..."

Correction ..."we don't mind taking your money even when you can't get through to our ticket line"...

...don't just think about those who were lucky enough to make the queue, think about the calls that didn't make it and still paid for a 2-minute 0870 call...

[bh_red]

Correction ..."we don't mind taking your money even when you can't get through to our ticket line"...

...don't just think about those who were lucky enough to make the queue, think about the calls that didn't make it and still paid for a 2-minute 0870 call...

wow! a whopping 14p!

[Dollymarie]

wow! a whopping 14p!

Multiply that by all the people trying to ring up and someones quids in here, and it aint us.

[old_man_terry]

very good post, BS3, don't think it is a PR disater at all, everyone has been taken aback, by how quickly the tickets have told, but unfortunately the timescale to get the tickets sold.

fact is Season Ticket holders have more than enough time to claim their tickets and any non-st holders who have missed out quite simply didn't have the obvious disire to get the tickets, funny how they can come on here all day bitching and moaning, yet couldn't go to the online ticketing system and by tickets, or just visit the ground?

Tickets have sold very quickly! and people are moaning at Sexstone! what a joke! man deserves a pat on the back!

[CiderHider]

I think some people here are unable to fully grasp the mechanics of running a successful business. Sexton and Lansdown only have the fans and the good of the club at heart, they love this club and i wish people would think before posting to the contray.

[Guest]

Bit of a pig if the E.E is opened for City (if Boro sell 1500/2000 could well be) as I will be at the blooming airport flapping off

[Guest andy234]

wow! a whopping 14p!

But I must have tried about 30 times before I even got on the queue, don't say that cost me 14p each time

Still I was at work. hope they don't find out

[SimplyRed]

wow! a whopping 14p!

...multiplied by the number of times each individual tried to get through, multiplied by the number of individuals who tried to get through and failed. A tidy sum of several thousand pounds for providing absolutely nothing but frustration for their punters ...err... fans...

[Keepers Ball]

Can I just say I have BS3's ticket ?

Oh and I might be tempted to sell to the highest bidder

[zookeeper]

So theyre going to put some of us in the away end are they?You would have still sold those 12,000 tickets in 5 or 6 days if you had done it properly.

In the business of selling they have done this properly. They have a product that outstrips demand. That is good business sense in my opinion. It's not the usual way of doing things which has obviously put a lot of people out but it does reflect a level of managing the workload. If the JPT games had gone ahead they would have potentially had two big games to sell tickets for and this would not have been achievable given our current status.

Roughly translates as "we have a phone system that cant cope and we don't mind taking your money whilst you're on hold."

Thats rubbish, the only prevailing thing around here recently has been the wind.

Not really. This is about revenue generation. A couple of pounds for each supporter isn't that much (reletively) but if it all adds up to a couple of thou for the club then good!

Sexton is the one at the beginning of the season saying that ST holders are the backbone of the club...be nice if he could prove it

And how have they missed out? Their ticket is guarenteed. Why should they have an opportunity to invite any Tom, d### or Harry. They have paid for their ticket not for the right to invite as many friends as they want.

So how are we going to cope when we get into the championship then and this sort of thing is happening every week? Its not the ticketing staffs fault they're doing the best they can.

If we get into the championship we change the infrastructure to reflect the status. Isn't this obvious?

[bucksred]

Copied from the evening post. I would like to point out here that any comments I may make in this thread are my own and not those of the Supporters Trust.

I do wish he'd make up his mind

So theyre going to put some of us in the away end are they?You would have still sold those 12,000 tickets in 5 or 6 days if you had done it properly.

Roughly translates as "we have a phone system that cant cope and we don't mind taking your money whilst you're on hold."

Thats rubbish, the only prevailing thing around here recently has been the wind.

Sexton is the one at the beginning of the season saying that ST holders are the backbone of the club...be nice if he could prove it

So how are we going to cope when we get into the championship then and this sort of thing is happening every week? Its not the ticketing staffs fault they're doing the best they can.

The whole situation is a joke in my opinion Mr Sextone. Link to story here

Thank you Dolly. Well said. Sextone regards the supporters of this club as an irritating pestilance to ignore at will. This was poorly thought out, executed by ticket staff, as well as they could in the circumstances, and the clubs cynical use of an 0870 number just adds to the impression of the club cynically using the loyalty of the long suffering supporters. and the fact that there is still not, on the FLi Website of the Season, a facility for ST holders to book on line, beggars belief. and to carry on selling tickets on the saturday in which City had a massive league game as well???

And please note those are cheerfully attacking those who aint happy at this goings on, I did not, wasnt going and am not going to get a ticket to come to this game. So the childish postings by at least two of you attacking my previous posts on this subject are inaccurate. I however feel that the true supporters involved in the fiasco have been ripped off.

On previous big occasions (The Last two visits to Barfdiff excepted- I didnt go to either) were dealt with in an intelligent manner which rewarded the regular fans first, THEN the prawns who have crawled out from under their stones for a big cuptie.

As it SHOULD be, and hopefully WILL be for the JPT final should we get there. Its been done properly before, so no excuses Sextone & Co. Poor, Poor show, and arrogant with it. As per quite a few things involving that man over the last couple of seasons. end of.

[zookeeper]

On previous big occasions (The Last two visits to Barfdiff excepted- I didnt go to either) were dealt with in an intelligent manner which rewarded the regular fans first, THEN the prawns who have crawled out from under their stones for a big cuptie.

As it SHOULD be, and hopefully WILL be for the JPT final should we get there. Its been done properly before, so no excuses Sextone & Co. Poor, Poor show, and arrogant with it. As per quite a few things involving that man over the last couple of seasons. end of.

Mr Bucks,

How do you feel about those that went to the previous rounds of the JPT as compared to the season tickets. If we got the gas who should get priority in your opinion?

[Guest North Street]

Mr Bucks,

How do you feel about those that went to the previous rounds of the JPT as compared to the season tickets. If we got the gas who should get priority in your opinion?

It states in the club charter season tickets holders get proirity for cup tickets.

[Redtilldead]

[quote name='zookeeper' date='Jan 20 2007, 7:47 PM' post='674790

Not really. This is about revenue generation. A couple of pounds for each supporter isn't that much (reletively) but if it all adds up to a couple of thou for the club then good!

[RedTop]

Just a mention for the fact that the club has priced the game at £15 to see us play Premiership opposition in a match that could have sold out at £25, frankly. Instead of being praised for the pretty generous prices, the club is criticised for demand outstripping supply.

There will always be people complaining when they don't get a ticket. The club has shown its concern for ST holders by extending the deadline. As for the general sale, well as pointed out elsewhere there has to be a rationing system to try to ensure that those who want or deserve the tickets most are the ones who get them. One way, where practical, is vouchers. In the timescale involved, it seems to me that CS has given a reasonable explanation of why that was not practical on this occasion. Another way is to put them on sale as they did. The ones who make the most determined effort are the ones who get them. Those who couldn't be bothered, or didn't try as hard were less likely to get them. Not a perfect solution, but one that seems to ensure those with the most drive stand the best chance of getting the tickets.

The club has not always handled ticket sales for big fixtures brilliantly, but it seems to me they've not done a bad job on this occasion given that they would be damned no matter how they went about it.

[SimplyRed]

Just a mention for the fact that the club has priced the game at £15 to see us play Premiership opposition in a match that could have sold out at £25, frankly. Instead of being praised for the pretty generous prices, the club is criticised for demand outstripping supply.

There will always be people complaining when they don't get a ticket. The club has shown its concern for ST holders by extending the deadline. As for the general sale, well as pointed out elsewhere there has to be a rationing system to try to ensure that those who want or deserve the tickets most are the ones who get them. One way, where practical, is vouchers. In the timescale involved, it seems to me that CS has given a reasonable explanation of why that was not practical on this occasion. Another way is to put them on sale as they did. The ones who make the most determined effort are the ones who get them. Those who couldn't be bothered, or didn't try as hard were less likely to get them. Not a perfect solution, but one that seems to ensure those with the most drive stand the best chance of getting the tickets.

The club has not always handled ticket sales for big fixtures brilliantly, but it seems to me they've not done a bad job on this occasion given that they would be damned no matter how they went about it.

...and what about the thousand's of pounds they've made out of fans' efforts to get a ticket and been unable to get through?... do you find the ethical and acceptable?

It's not about what they do, it's about the way they do it. Obviously everybody knew there would be a strong demand for tickets, but the cynical view is they used that demand to make more money from using an 0870 number and short call queues to generates thousands of costly calls to line the coffers.

What's wrong with providing a standard number and giving a busy signal if the queues are full? Because it doesn't make them any money, it seems...

[bh_red]

...and what about the thousand's of pounds they've made out of fans' efforts to get a ticket and been unable to get through?... do you find the ethical and acceptable?

It's not about what they do, it's about the way they do it. Obviously everybody knew there would be a strong demand for tickets, but the cynical view is they used that demand to make more money from using an 0870 number and short call queues to generates thousands of costly calls to line the coffers.

What's wrong with providing a standard number and giving a busy signal if the queues are full? Because it doesn't make them any money, it seems...

so your suggestion is that it is just a standard telephone number? where you just get a busy tone? again and again and again......instead of the club getting decent ticketing service where you can actually have some clue how long you have to wait,

the mentality of some people on this forum scares me

to believe City are actually making a profilt from a 7p a minute phone call, is farcical the cost the phone line and financing a phone system which is actually able to be of assistance to the fans isn't going to be cheap! and people moan about tickets! to me sounds like a bunch of petty minded people who are trying to find someone to blame because they couldn't get a ticket.

I've spoken to plenty of people over the last couple of days, and out of a group of around 11 of us with season tickets, 8 had their tickets booked by the end of play on Friday, all of which just did it by phone! without any problem, 2 went to the ticket office thursday night before closing and me personal just got my mate who works at the gate to just sort it out for me and bring it around when I see her on Tuesday.

still the clubs make sure the ticket price is affordable and yet people moan about the cost of a phone call! I'll have a word with my mate prior to Tuesday and see if City actually gain, I'd be shocked if they did

[bh_red]

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/04/nr_20060419

[Redtilldead]

so your suggestion is that it is just a standard telephone number? where you just get a busy tone? again and again and again......instead of the club getting decent ticketing service where you can actually have some clue how long you have to wait,

the mentality of some people on this forum scares me

to believe City are actually making a profilt from a 7p a minute phone call, is farcical the cost the phone line and financing a phone system which is actually able to be of assistance to the fans isn't going to be cheap! and people moan about tickets! to me sounds like a bunch of petty minded people who are trying to find someone to blame because they couldn't get a ticket.

I've spoken to plenty of people over the last couple of days, and out of a group of around 11 of us with season tickets, 8 had their tickets booked by the end of play on Friday, all of which just did it by phone! without any problem, 2 went to the ticket office thursday night before closing and me personal just got my mate who works at the gate to just sort it out for me and bring it around when I see her on Tuesday.

still the clubs make sure the ticket price is affordable and yet people moan about the cost of a phone call! I'll have a word with my mate prior to Tuesday and see if City actually gain, I'd be shocked if they did

Your mentality scares me mate, how you can come on this forum being so pompous and cocksure is staggering, and then in the next breath tell us how 'your mate' who works in the ticket office sorted yours out for you.

So I take it from your stance then, that you never had to queue for a ticket in a line down the City ground, or wait in a telephone queue being unsuccesful, and getting really frustrated as many City fans have in the last few days, and maybe after all that trying, they didn't get a ticket, but you feel you can preach to others that they are being "petty miinded"......... Your words, not mine!

[SimplyRed]

so your suggestion is that it is just a standard telephone number? where you just get a busy tone? again and again and again......instead of the club getting decent ticketing service where you can actually have some clue how long you have to wait,

the mentality of some people on this forum scares me

to believe City are actually making a profilt from a 7p a minute phone call, is farcical the cost the phone line and financing a phone system which is actually able to be of assistance to the fans isn't going to be cheap! and people moan about tickets! to me sounds like a bunch of petty minded people who are trying to find someone to blame because they couldn't get a ticket.

I've spoken to plenty of people over the last couple of days, and out of a group of around 11 of us with season tickets, 8 had their tickets booked by the end of play on Friday, all of which just did it by phone! without any problem, 2 went to the ticket office thursday night before closing and me personal just got my mate who works at the gate to just sort it out for me and bring it around when I see her on Tuesday.

still the clubs make sure the ticket price is affordable and yet people moan about the cost of a phone call! I'll have a word with my mate prior to Tuesday and see if City actually gain, I'd be shocked if they did

Read my post again.

What I'm objecting to is the club making money hand over fist with these premium rate numbers (yes, only 7-8p/minute - but consider the thousands who called but didn't get through and STILL paid for the call - several times over), with the fan coughing up the cash for NOTHING - not in the queue didn't get a ticket, etc. etc.)

Consider too, that if and when you do get though, you pay a bookng fee AS WELL as the cost of the callS (plural) you made.

Using a standard landline, the rate would be at most 1-2p minute and you would receive a busy tone if the queues were full, thereby not paying for the call at all - isn't that fairer?

[SimplyRed]

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2006/04/nr_20060419

Since you're bandying links around, try this one,

[bh_red]

Read my post again.

What I'm objecting to is the club making money hand over fist with these premium rate numbers (yes, only 7-8p/minute - but consider the thousands who called but didn't get through and STILL paid for the call - several times over), with the fan coughing up the cash for NOTHING - not in the queue didn't get a ticket, etc. etc.)

Consider too, that if and when you do get though, you pay a bookng fee AS WELL as the cost of the callS (plural) you made.

Using a standard landline, the rate would be at most 1-2p minute and you would receive a busy tone if the queues were full, thereby not paying for the call at all - isn't that fairer?

upto 7p a minute is the key thing, these call lines cost various amounts, however people are jumping on the highest figure and are assuming that's what it cost, using a standard landline to a normal number may only cost a couple of pence however that is only if you are local? what if you are from london? Weston? Taunton? you pay a higher rate? is that fair?

since the call charges are not publicised, it is perfectly likely that the call to the 0870 number is also on 1-3p per minute and by having such number they are making sure that all fans pay an equal amount regardless of location?

either way it is extremly unlikely that city are actually making any money from this situation

[bh_red]

Your mentality scares me mate, how you can come on this forum being so pompous and cocksure is staggering, and then in the next breath tell us how 'your mate' who works in the ticket office sorted yours out for you.

So I take it from your stance then, that you never had to queue for a ticket in a line down the City ground, or wait in a telephone queue being unsuccesful, and getting really frustrated as many City fans have in the last few days, and maybe after all that trying, they didn't get a ticket, but you feel you can preach to others that they are being "petty miinded"......... Your words, not mine!

I don't have a friend in the ticket office, I just have a friend who works at the gate, who is able to get my ticket for me, a handy convinence that I can get here to sort out my season ticket season, this person has only worked their this season so I've been lucky enough on this one occasion,

in the post I've had to queue like everyone else, when big games come around, and their is a short deadline to get the tickets, it's accepted that it's always a pain to get tickets due to the fair weather fans. Personally I'm making no boast about it, what I am saying is that a number of others that I have spoken to haven't had the same problems as Vocal dozen or so on here who are abusing various people at the club with all sorts of insults when quite simply it isn't needed, 12k+ people have managed to get tickets without major problems however because a select few haven't been able to pick up the phone and get through 1st time, they feel it gives them the right to call certain people at the club all the names under the sun.........that is "petty minded" in my eyes

[Somerset Red]

If you upset as many loyal fans as this episode has, through lack of forthought...

It is a PR disaster!

[bh red]

If you upset as many loyal fans as this episode has, through lack of forthought...

It is a PR disaster!

how is this a PR disater? Selling out the ground in nearly 2 days is fanstastic, the majority of people that wanted tickets have managed to get them, the majority of people that haven't got them, wouldn't have even be happy if Colin Sexstone would have phoned them personally and delivered them himself,

most of the people moaning are part timers anyway, majority of people with a sense of nouse have got their tickets and are quite happy,

I just popped down the gate after work on Thursday was there about 10mins and then went home, no problem at all.

[bucksred]

Mr Bucks,

How do you feel about those that went to the previous rounds of the JPT as compared to the season tickets. If we got the gas who should get priority in your opinion?

Zookeeper, ST Holders get first pick, along wi City 2000, and supporters Club (If they stil get priveleged status, not sure on either, though, and in my opinion people who have vouchers/ticket stubs from earlier rounds, next, then to general release. Anyone who goes to either or both Gas games should get a priveleged ticket status. Indeed anyone whos actually attended more than one league game at home should get priveleged status over the prawns who crawl in when we get to a final, or a Boro type draw in any cup competition. They should keep their tickets to prove it (and they have evidence of online bookings too)

Please note that a lot of distance fans cannot get to midweek games, nor indeed every home or away game either. I personally attend as many as I can, around 4-9 home games and any away ones I choose to go to (Mainly the local ones to me...)

If Sextone cares any about the fans (and he don't at all..), he would look after the fans who come week in week out, no matter which division, where we are in whatever league. somehow I don't think he will give a flying one meself. Sadly, we are but an irritant to the money grabbing SOB's who now run City.

[bucksred]

how is this a PR disater? Selling out the ground in nearly 2 days is fanstastic, the majority of people that wanted tickets have managed to get them, the majority of people that haven't got them, wouldn't have even be happy if Colin Sexstone would have phoned them personally and delivered them himself,

most of the people moaning are part timers anyway, majority of people with a sense of nouse have got their tickets and are quite happy,

I just popped down the gate after work on Thursday was there about 10mins and then went home, no problem at all.

The sound of pull up the ladder Jack, I'm alright. you have already heard from supporters, at least three of which I KNOW aint as you put it "Part timers", who don't live in Briz, and cant get to hang on a phone at work all day. One comes to pretty much every home game, and quite a few away, including the Cov away game.

Or are we back to part time supporters arguements again.

This is yet another PR disaster, following on in a long line of them over the last three years. But hey you got a ticket, you don't give a flying one. aint you the hero?

[Somerset Red]

The sound of pull up the ladder Jack, I'm alright. you have already heard from supporters, at least three of which I KNOW aint as you put it "Part timers", who don't live in Briz, and cant get to hang on a phone at work all day. One comes to pretty much every home game, and quite a few away, including the Cov away game.

Or are we back to part time supporters arguements again.

This is yet another PR disaster, following on in a long line of them over the last three years. But hey you got a ticket, you don't give a flying one. aint you the hero?

Thanks mate, couldn't have put it better!

[zookeeper]

If Sextone cares any about the fans (and he don't at all..), he would look after the fans who come week in week out, no matter which division, where we are in whatever league. somehow I don't think he will give a flying one meself. Sadly, we are but an irritant to the money grabbing SOB's who now run City.

I think I mostly agree with the irritation of people coming out of the woodwork to watch this game over those that travel far and attend constantly.

I'm not too sure why people are against the club lining it's pockets from this though. This money isn't going into the shareholders pockets or a fat cat salary but is going into turning a unprofitable business into one that is breaking even.

I wander what the alternative to using the premium line was. I imagine that it would mean using a system that would have been completely over run causing just as much annoyance from the fans without even lining the clubs coffers.

[NickJ]

Just a mention for the fact that the club has priced the game at £15 to see us play Premiership opposition in a match that could have sold out at £25, frankly. Instead of being praised for the pretty generous prices, the club is criticised for demand outstripping supply.

There will always be people complaining when they don't get a ticket. The club has shown its concern for ST holders by extending the deadline. As for the general sale, well as pointed out elsewhere there has to be a rationing system to try to ensure that those who want or deserve the tickets most are the ones who get them. One way, where practical, is vouchers. In the timescale involved, it seems to me that CS has given a reasonable explanation of why that was not practical on this occasion. Another way is to put them on sale as they did. The ones who make the most determined effort are the ones who get them. Those who couldn't be bothered, or didn't try as hard were less likely to get them. Not a perfect solution, but one that seems to ensure those with the most drive stand the best chance of getting the tickets.

The club has not always handled ticket sales for big fixtures brilliantly, but it seems to me they've not done a bad job on this occasion given that they would be damned no matter how they went about it.

Can't agree with that.

For a start, ticket prices are £16-£19, not £15.

I think prices are in general too high, however I do not see the logic in charging less to watch a FA cup 4th round match against Premiership opposition than it costs for most of our 3rd division games.

If Sexstone insisted on just selling on a first come first served basis, this was a chance to fleece the big game charlies. Season ticket holders, people with vouchers etc from other games, could have been charged much less.

There were also better ways to ensure loyal fans got tickets. I know of people who, because they live literally within walking distance of the ground, were able to turn up first thing the day they went on sale and buy as many tickets as they wanted. But this will be the first game they've been to this season.

On the other hand, I was talking to somebody at Oldham yesterday, who was unable to get to the ground or to a phone, who hasn't got a ticket for Boro. He goes to most home games and a lot away, but you're telling me he missed out because he didn't make enough effort. Sorry, you're wrong.

How about, for example, allowing anyone at Oldham yesterday to buy a ticket for Boro? Obviously most would have tickets anyway, but not all, so that would ensure that people willing to make a 380 mile round trip got a ticket. Any tickets sold to those who already had them would at least be sold to loyal supporters, and in the main they would have ensured that tickets would have ended up in the hands of other more genuine supporters.

Just takes a little bit of thinking about, and clearly there was none of that.

And it was pretty obvious the game would sell out, so for Sexstone to say he was surprised by the demand should make us all very worried. It's been proved time and again that the big games will always sell out.

[Guest Jan Mollars Gloves]

Spot on.

I talked to a number of people at Oldham yesterday who, like me, were unable to either get to the ground or get through on the phone or both. They, like me, haven't got tickets.

Maybe, as Ashtonsmate would have it, those people don't have any nous and should stop moaning.

But I'd prefer that the club got it right first time round - season ticket holders (I'm not one) should have had first priority, then a free for all as thats all the time allowed - but at least organise the free for all properly.

It was a fiasco.

Agree, we have cocked up on so many occasions & we still can't get it right.

We are heading for the Championship, but we remain Conference standard off the pitch.

From PR, Stadia & Ticketing, we have so much to learn.

Dave Wenn (I think that was his name) - did well while he was at the club. Wasn't it him who sorted the Puma deal out?

Johnson seems to be getting on field things spot on.

But we still can't get it right for the fans that invest in season tickets every season.

Perhaps the pending Lansdown millions will rectify many issues.

:noexpression:

[bh_red]

don't see what all the fuss is about personally? there is still 2 days to get tickets? season ticket holders still have time, non season ticket holders still have time,

fact is City had 4 working days pretty much to sell all the tickets, Thursday and Friday, plus Monday and Tuesday, generally City are closed on sunday, so that's ruled out, and understandably alot of fans can't make Saturday due to the game which alot are attending,

Come Wednesday, in theroy City would be through to a game against Rovers at Home, less than a week later, for which they have Wed (probably to organise) then Thursday, Friday (saturday ruled out, middlesboro game, going to be busy enough with a near 20k crowd) Sunday (closed) and then just Monday.

so they have had to sell tickets fast, they haven't had time to leave days of time, if people can't make it, that's unfortunate but with the short notice of the game, it was always going to be an issue.

At least City have stopped themselves another problem by not releasing the Meatloaf Summer Concert tickets too early to lessen the load on the phone line, hopefully with the incoming of a new ticket system very soon, the booking of Season Tickets for cup games online will reduced alot of the problems and queues (phone and at ground)

[Dollymarie]

At least City have stopped themselves another problem by not releasing the Meatloaf Summer Concert tickets too early to lessen the load on the phone line,

Did you just let the cat out of the bag?

[bh_red]

ummmm, bo::ocks! sorry thought it was common knowledge!

tickets are sold out apparently..........

[SimplyRed]

I'm not too sure why people are against the club lining it's pockets from this though. This money isn't going into the shareholders pockets or a fat cat salary but is going into turning a unprofitable business into one that is breaking even.

I don't think anybody is against the club generating revenue. What I, and many others, are objecting to is the 'premium' rate lines and extracting cash from failed phone calls, thereby squeezing even more money from fans who are struggling to afford ticket prices anyway.

As a conservative estimate, I would imagine they've made around £5k from failed phone calls alone - that's £5k from the fans pockets to theirs with nothing in return.

You may think it's all right for them to grab you by the balls as long as they tickle you under the chin while doing so, but I don't.

There is no need for it and it was done purely to make a fast buck.

Using premium rate lines to put people on hold then drop the line 'because the queues are full' is immoral and underhanded - there are no other adjectives to describe it. And Ofcom agrees, because it will be illegal shortly.

It is an absolute disgrace that the club should use such tactics against its own fans.

[RedTop]

At least City have stopped themselves another problem by not releasing the Meatloaf Summer Concert tickets too early to lessen the load on the phone line.

I do wish Colin Sexstone would stop abusing his position by booking all his favourite artists to play Ashton Gate.

[Bristol Boy]

Bristol boy I disagree with you on the subject of bussing in fans, I belive we live in a free society and fans should have the right to travel to games any way they want. I don't want this country to turn into a police state.

We don't disagree on the general subject of bussing and I've said it many, many times.However, on this particular occassion, for the cost to Bristol Rate Payers, added inconvenience to the general communit in South Bristol and the club for Police inside the ground, the revenue generated (Christ I sound like CS) in no way even covered the cost.

Fans will NEVER be routinely bussed, however, those with a significant hooligan threat and Millwall are right up there, need special attention and why should BCFC lose money on a game just so that lot can turn up?

Our society is free for those who abide by the law.It is not "free" in the sense that, irrespective of how we behave, we have the right to behave like that to the detriment of others.That applies to football and everything else.

Take a look at the Swansea game how many fans went there now look at the Forrest we took aroun 4000, what sort of football match do you want to go to, the away day at Forrest or the away day at Swansea.

And I bet the next time we play Forest up there, there will be restrictions of some kind because the Police will say Swansea-restrictions-no trouble-Forest no restrictions-look what happened.Talk about giving someone a stick to beat us with.

If we get bussed to Swansea, Cardiff, Millwall then it wil be Swindon Yeovill Coventry in the cup, its the thin end of the wedge.

No it's as a result of a significant minority behaving in an unacceptabele manner and the rest of us getting penalised because of it.It won't happen at anywhere apart from very high risk matches and, like it or not, you can't deny that matches in South Wales have had that potential for twenty years.The general public are sick to the back teeth with it, so are the police and politicians, so there you have it

I'm a free man in a free country and should have the right of free movement and able to attend football matches freely in this country.

And I should be able to walk around the inner city with a brief case full of fivers singing, "I'm in the money" and wearing a Rolex watch and gold jewellery encrusted with diamonds for all the see.Welcome to the real world

[Barrs Court Red]

Bristol Boy your whole arguement about Police Costs being reduced because of bussing fans is incorrect.

The police have to have a set number of officers on duty no matter how fans go to matches.

No fans should have to attend matches in mandatory travel arrangements.

[Bristol Boy]

very good post, BS3, don't think it is a PR disater at all, everyone has been taken aback, by how quickly the tickets have told, but unfortunately the timescale to get the tickets sold.

There was ample time since the draw was made to plan this much better.I won't go into to much detail because I've written a piece for the ST on it but we had from the 8th to 27th Jan to plan this.

fact is Season Ticket holders have more than enough time to claim their tickets and any non-st holders who have missed out quite simply didn't have the obvious disire to get the tickets, funny how they can come on here all day bitching and moaning, yet couldn't go to the online ticketing system and by tickets, or just visit the ground?

A lot of the people are exciled Bristolians, like me and if you think I should make a 260 mile round trip just to buy a ticket, I disagree.ST Holders can't buy online and the online tickets sold out first, thus stopping those who wanted General Sale Tickets, purchasing in that way.

Tickets have sold very quickly!

Well they would with non ST Holders & Touts buying 20 at a time

and people are moaning at Sexstone! what a joke! man deserves a pat on the back!

You seem to be in a minority on that one.Why ask fans to keep tickets stubs at places like Orient, Forest (JPT) York on the basis that they'd get a measure of priority and then not give them it?Why not give the "lifeblood of the club" two days to sell 7,600 tickets-With 3,100 to Boro that still gives you over six days to sell the remaining 8,000 and if we can sell 9,000 in a day, we could have done the same with the Rovers tickets.

[Bristol Boy]

Bristol Boy your whole arguement about Police Costs being reduced because of bussing fans is incorrect.

Actually, it's not.If you're telling me there were as many police on duty when we played Blackpool 10,600 or Bmth 13,848 as when we played Millwall, 12,000, then you living in cloud cuckoo land.We pay for the police inside the ground and the ratepayers outside and there were a pile more for the Millwall game in both areas, from which we received about £7,500 revenue.If you're talking about Swansea, then the police presence was still high OUTSIDE the ground, not inside that was stewards, but the collaterall damage (Pubs & Police Dogs), clearly was not as per recent years

The police have to have a set number of officers on duty no matter how fans go to matches.

I think you'll find that the opposition and the anticipated crowd is taken into account and bussing means that officers are not required to police the whole City, train stations etc- just routes in and out obviously with a contingency for those that break the rules and travel by other means, which very rarely happens despite all the hype

No fans should have to attend matches in mandatory travel arrangements.

No they shouldn't, however neither should they smash up pubs or assault people but, regretfully it happens and it happens around football matches.Sad but true.

[Bristol Boy]

I think some people here are unable to fully grasp the mechanics of running a successful business.

Unfortuneately one's the CEO

If you call evicting people from seats they've had for years without significant consultation or compensation and not giving those that have followed the club to places like Orient & Forest in the JPT more chance of buying a ticket than a bloke who rarely, if ever, comes or at worse a tout, mechanically sound business thinking, then I fail to see your point unless it's sell out at all cost.Where's the compelling business logic in alienating a fan base that will be here (if treated properly) long after Nigel "I come once a season" doesn't even do that.

Sexton and Lansdown only have the fans and the good of the club at heart, they love this club and i wish people would think before posting to the contray.

I just wish you would think

I haven't questioned anyones motives but that isn't the same as saying it's been done correctly

[NickJ]

QUOTE BB:

And I should be able to walk around the inner city with a brief case full of fivers singing, "I'm in the money" and wearing a Rolex watch and gold jewellery encrusted with diamonds for all the see.Welcome to the real world

Actually BB, if you really want to, you can do that. That is the crucial distinction.

Forcing football supporters to travel by bus takes the freedom of choice away.

[Guest North Street]

BB

Next time we are sat next to each other in a ground we can go over this one.

The matches v Swansea & Cardiff at home saw more police on duty than would have been expected. I am certain there were more on duty than previous years and I would go as far as saying the Cardiff [at home ]match saw policing the like I have never experienced before at Ashton Gate. Police err policed the entire City from Temple Meads to the Gate on both occasions and actually carried out checks of vehicles in Hotwells v Cardiff. Fans were videoed in restaurants by the police again v Cardiff. This was despite the police knowing exactly who would be present.

It simply escalates and one day this lot will have biometric id to play with.

[NickJ]

Sexton and Lansdown only have the fans and the good of the club at heart, they love this club and i wish people would think before posting to the contray.

Not saying you're right, not saying you're wrong. But...

In the case of Sexstone, evidence, anecdotal if you like, of any sort of affinity with this club before he became Chief Exec, please.

[Bristol Boy]

Just a mention for the fact that the club has priced the game at £15 to see us play Premiership opposition in a match that could have sold out at £25, frankly. Instead of being praised for the pretty generous prices, the club is criticised for demand outstripping supply.

As a ST Holder I pay something like £15.00 per match for my seat and the price for this game is £18.00 or 20% more.I don't mind if it helps the clubs success, buys players etc I wouldn't however call it "pretty generous." The club isn't being criticised for selling the tickets, it is the manner in whch they've sold them, that has created this furore.

There will always be people complaining when they don't get a ticket. The club has shown its concern for ST holders by extending the deadline.

Agreed although one must be aware that that extension is a result of "pressure groups" such as the fans forum generating complaint

As for the general sale, well as pointed out elsewhere there has to be a rationing system to try to ensure that those who want or deserve the tickets most are the ones who get them.One way, where practical, is vouchers

Agreed or ticket stubs, even easier

In the timescale involved, it seems to me that CS has given a reasonable explanation of why that was not practical on this occasion.

Not for me and the time clock started ticking on 8th Jan-NOT after we beat Coventry-Five P's methinks

Another way is to put them on sale as they did.

That's called the wrong way

The ones who make the most determined effort are the ones who get them. Those who couldn't be bothered, or didn't try as hard were less likely to get them. Not a perfect solution, but one that seems to ensure those with the most drive stand the best chance of getting the tickets.

Or those that can afford the calls or sit by a phone all day

The club has not always handled ticket sales for big fixtures brilliantly, but it seems to me they've not done a bad job on this occasion given that they would be damned no matter how they went about it.

Their chosen method has assured they are indeed damned in the eyes of many.

[Bristol Boy]

how is this a PR disater? Selling out the ground in nearly 2 days is fanstastic,

No matter who to?

the majority of people that wanted tickets have managed to get them,

Touts,People who never go and just want a day out

the majority of people that haven't got them, wouldn't have even be happy if Colin Sexstone would have phoned them personally and delivered them himself,

Oh I think they would

most of the people moaning are part timers anyway,

Oh and you know that how?? What about people who come from hundreds of miles away and travel to away games week in, wek out.Part Timers??

majority of people with a sense of nouse have got their tickets and are quite happy,

Oh, that's alright then

I just popped down the gate after work on Thursday was there about 10mins and then went home, no problem at all.

Nice that you live and work localy and had the time.Still, as long as you're alright that's all that counts

[Barrs Court Red]

"If you're telling me there were as many police on duty when we played Blackpool 10,600 or Bmth 13,848 as when we played Millwall, 12,000, then you living in cloud cuckoo land"

I fail to see where this suggestion was made. The amount of police is done by the cat of game, as well as the anticipated attendance. Surely someone as all knowing as you knew this..Ummm obviously not. Still, I fail to see what point you are trying to make there?

"think you'll find that the opposition and the anticipated crowd is taken into account and bussing means that officers are not required to police the whole City, train stations etc- just routes in and out obviously with a contingency for those that break the rules and travel by other means, which very rarely happens despite all the hype"

Hang on I know this, you're the one that clearly seems to not undertsand the process seeing as you are making the the arguement that bussing reduces costs to taxpayers.

[Bristol Boy]

BB

Next time we are sat next to each other in a ground we can go over this one.

The matches v Swansea & Cardiff at home saw more police on duty than would have been expected. I am certain there were more on duty than previous years and I would go as far as saying the Cardiff [at home ]match saw policing the like I have never experienced before at Ashton Gate. Police err policed the entire City from Temple Meads to the Gate on both occasions and actually carried out checks of vehicles in Hotwells v Cardiff. Fans were videoed in restaurants by the police again v Cardiff. This was despite the police knowing exactly who would be present.

It simply escalates and one day this lot will have biometric id to play with.

Please to, as always old chap!

Please don't take my explanation of it as agreement because I don't agree with compulsory bussing of anyone, anywhere.However when I saw all that fuss in moving about 120 Chavs from The Colliseum to AG and back again, a ground full of more police than Millwall fans, I just shook my head and thought, why??

[Bristol Boy]

QUOTE BB:

And I should be able to walk around the inner city with a brief case full of fivers singing, "I'm in the money" and wearing a Rolex watch and gold jewellery encrusted with diamonds for all the see.Welcome to the real world

Actually BB, if you really want to, you can do that. That is the crucial distinction.

Forcing football supporters to travel by bus takes the freedom of choice away.

I wouldn't and, not surprisingly, I don't! However, whilst understanding your point, I was talking about the difference in what we'd all like, what is indeed fair and the real world in which we all have to live.

The next step is for authorities to do what has happend to Fejenoord.Just say we're fed up with your fans behaviour.The football club's banned.

I'll take the odd bussing over that policy any day.

[Bristol Boy]

I fail to see where this suggestion was made. The amount of police is done by the cat of game, as well as the anticipated attendance. Surely someone as all knowing as you knew this..Ummm obviously not.Still, I fail to see what point you are trying to make there?

Because you said "Bristol Boy your whole arguement about Police Costs being reduced because of bussing fans is incorrect." when I was talking about police costs inside the ground in the main and the inconvenience to the local community.There were a pile more police outside the ground which ratepayers have to pay for against Millwall.It's not just bussing it's the whole ticketing policy and Citys ticketing policy for Saturday has completley opened the door to the hooligans, although that's got nothing to do with travel arrangements I'll admit

[Barrs Court Red]

I'm lost, but ho hum it's the end of the day.

Would love to know how City's ticketing policy has "has completley opened the door to the hooligans"?

The club will not sell tickets to anyone on a banning order, and anyone else other than those ae lawfully allowed to purchase tickets. Do you suggest we get as rigid as Englandfans, and forbid anyone with a violent criminal record? or how about restrict admitance to only those wearing football shirts?

[RedTop]

Not saying you're right, not saying you're wrong. But...

In the case of Sexstone, evidence, anecdotal if you like, of any sort of affinity with this club before he became Chief Exec, please.

If you watch the video of the first Ask The Chairman session, I seem to recall him talking with fondness about his times down the Gate when he was younger. I'm not suggesting he's a devoted diehard who used to fly from wherever he was in the world to watch us play Shrewsbury away in the first round of the Paintpot Cup, but I do distinctly remember him talking about coming down to watch City. I got the impression it was way before he joined the club.

[Barrs Court Red]

If you watch the video of the first Ask The Chairman session, I seem to recall him talking with fondness about his times down the Gate when he was younger. I'm not suggesting he's a devoted diehard who used to fly from wherever he was in the world to watch us play Shrewsbury away in the first round of the Paintpot Cup, but I do distinctly remember him talking about coming down to watch City. I got the impression it was way before he joined the club.

He actually said he used to go in the East End being from Bedminster.

But then didn't Tony Liar tell the world what a huge Newcastle fan he was........

[Somerset Red]

If you watch the video of the first Ask The Chairman session, I seem to recall him talking with fondness about his times down the Gate when he was younger. I'm not suggesting he's a devoted diehard who used to fly from wherever he was in the world to watch us play Shrewsbury away in the first round of the Paintpot Cup, but I do distinctly remember him talking about coming down to watch City. I got the impression it was way before he joined the club.

In that case CS has forgotten his roots!

[bucksred]

Oh thought I'd throw this in to the mix. I was chatting to Lu'on fans about the way tickets have been sold for t'cup tie, and how ST holders cant book on line.

They were amazed: Lu'on fans are able to, and lets be fair theyve hardly been well run in the past, so if they can manage it WTF cant City manage this feat, FLi site of the year and all............

[NickJ]

If you watch the video of the first Ask The Chairman session, I seem to recall him talking with fondness about his times down the Gate when he was younger. I'm not suggesting he's a devoted diehard who used to fly from wherever he was in the world to watch us play Shrewsbury away in the first round of the Paintpot Cup, but I do distinctly remember him talking about coming down to watch City. I got the impression it was way before he joined the club.

What he actually said, I believe, was that he could remember going to the City ground with his uncle when he was 8 years old. Then he went to boarding school. I haven't looked at the video again, but I do have a good memory and an attention to detail.

If I were being cynical, I would say there is a fair chance that dear old Mr Sexstone got took to a couple of games when he was a lad, and after boarding school City appearances were limited to the ocassional big game.

If I were being even more cynical, I would say that if I were in that position, but now found myself Chief Exec of our club, I would use every opportunity to sound like one of the boys when it suited in the knowledge that it might curry favour with the supporters.

I do not like to be cynical, but since I took more of an interest in how this club and football in general is run, have found lots of cause to be so.

[Guest Jan Mollars Gloves]

What he actually said, I believe, was that he could remember going to the City ground with his uncle when he was 8 years old. Then he went to boarding school. I haven't looked at the video again, but I do have a good memory and an attention to detail.

If I were being cynical, I would say there is a fair chance that dear old Mr Sexstone got took to a couple of games when he was a lad, and after boarding school City appearances were limited to the ocassional big game.

If I were being even more cynical, I would say that if I were in that position, but now found myself Chief Exec of our club, I would use every opportunity to sound like one of the boys when it suited in the knowledge that it might curry favour with the supporters.

I do not like to be cynical, but since I took more of an interest in how this club and football in general is run, have found lots of cause to be so.

Cynical

But why shouldn't you be.

Near the money, I reckon NJ.

[RedTop]

What he actually said, I believe, was that he could remember going to the City ground with his uncle when he was 8 years old. Then he went to boarding school. I haven't looked at the video again, but I do have a good memory and an attention to detail.

If I were being cynical, I would say there is a fair chance that dear old Mr Sexstone got took to a couple of games when he was a lad, and after boarding school City appearances were limited to the ocassional big game.

If I were being even more cynical, I would say that if I were in that position, but now found myself Chief Exec of our club, I would use every opportunity to sound like one of the boys when it suited in the knowledge that it might curry favour with the supporters.

I do not like to be cynical, but since I took more of an interest in how this club and football in general is run, have found lots of cause to be so.

In which case, if you remember what he said about watching City as a lad why ask if there's any evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, of any sort of affinity with this club before he became Chief Exec?

Why would it be cynical to think that CS took in a couple of games when he was a lad and his appearances since were limited to the big occasion? I don't seem to remember him making a big play of trying to sound 'like one of the boys'. It's not as if he goes on about it all the time!

What's the point you are trying to make? We all know that plenty of the players wearing our shirt on the pitch support other teams. No-one accuses them of not wanting the best for BCFC when they are here, or of trying less hard as a result. We accept it in players. Are you saying we shouldn't accept it in other staff, or that it affects the way they professionally try to do their job? Should we sack Joe Meredith, for instance, because even though he's a decent snapper he is also a Reading fan? Or are you saying that CS makes too big a play of being a City fan, which seems weird given that he hardly ever mentions it?

Bottom line is you judge players on the way they perform, and likewise the chief exec. If people think he's not good at the job or is making the wrong decisions then they have every right to criticise, and I have done myself in the past (particularly over the letter linking the higher season ticket prices last year to the redevelopment, I seem to recall). But it's a bit strange to have a pop based on how much or how little he mentions watching City when he was a lad!

[NickJ]

In which case, if you remember what he said about watching City as a lad why ask if there's any evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, of any sort of affinity with this club before he became Chief Exec?

Why would it be cynical to think that CS took in a couple of games when he was a lad and his appearances since were limited to the big occasion? I don't seem to remember him making a big play of trying to sound 'like one of the boys'. It's not as if he goes on about it all the time!

What's the point you are trying to make? We all know that plenty of the players wearing our shirt on the pitch support other teams. No-one accuses them of not wanting the best for BCFC when they are here, or of trying less hard as a result. We accept it in players. Are you saying we shouldn't accept it in other staff, or that it affects the way they professionally try to do their job? Should we sack Joe Meredith, for instance, because even though he's a decent snapper he is also a Reading fan? Or are you saying that CS makes too big a play of being a City fan, which seems weird given that he hardly ever mentions it?

Bottom line is you judge players on the way they perform, and likewise the chief exec. If people think he's not good at the job or is making the wrong decisions then they have every right to criticise, and I have done myself in the past (particularly over the letter linking the higher season ticket prices last year to the redevelopment, I seem to recall). But it's a bit strange to have a pop based on how much or how little he mentions watching City when he was a lad!

Because I was replying to somebody who claimed he loved the club. The club and the fans are one and the same. Nobody who loved this club would treat the season ticket holders in the Williams the way they were when the Premier Seating was introduced. Nobody would allow flyers such as the one handed out to the lads in the Dolman last season, which pissed so many of them off that they no longer feel inclined to come to AG. I could go on, your point about ticket prices being one of them.

The discussion at AG a few weeks ago centred around the EE, which CS (and SL for that matter) are dead set against, even though a significant number of City fans want it opened. In my view Sexstone's reference to standing in the EE when he was a lad was a cynical, subtle, ploy, which said "look, I'm one of you, I would dearly love to have the EE open, I was an East Ender myself once, but times have moved on, we all have to be sensible and accept that the EE days are over".

So back to the original chap who said he loved the club, I am challenging that assertion because if accepted the natural conclusion would be that everything CS does is for the good of all its supporters. I do not believe that is the case. I think CS, within his own parameters, is doing a wonderful job, for a certain type of supporter. There is a certain type of supporter who will say that, but a heck of a lot more who will say he hasn't.

The fact is, Sexstone's role is to maximise revenues. I know of people who have stopped coming either as much or altogether, for all of the following reasons: increased ticket prices, no-smoking, stewarding, dumbed down atmosphere. All developments of the Sexstone era. Equally, I know of people who have started coming specifically because of Premier Seating - they had never been to AG in their lives before Premier Seating, and openly accept they would not be coming now without it. To that extent, CS can feel vindicated, its only the same as what is going on at other clubs. However, he does not come into contact with people who have been disenfranchised by the increasing sanitization of a passionate sport, which to me is what Sexstone represents.

PS - you're a journalist, have a read of what Rod Liddle says on this general subject, because he has in recent months elucidated his feelings far better than I will ever be able to.