Morning all,
I sit here still waiting anxiously whether both my dad and I have been successful in the ballot for the FA Cup. I have a tiny bit of hope, and here's why:
If you don't know the club has decided that criteria for priority in the ballot will be based on how many CUP home games you have purchased this season. There are 10 in total (off the top of my head 4 Champs league, 2 Europa, 2 FA CUP and 2 Capital one). So if you have bought 10, you get top priority.
Now here's where I start to question this, although on the face of it, it seems like a fair system, do they not understand what loyalty is? Do they not understand how much a season ticket is already and that some people are forced to opt out of extra games because they are already scraping the barrel as it is?
For those of you who don't know, the club introduced a banding system for season tickets a few years ago which are:
Red - 1-3 years
Silver - 4-10 years
Gold - 11-25 years
Platinum - 25+
I am a gold season ticket holder, I have had this ticket now for at least 12 years. I don't get any benefits from this as far as I'm aware in terms of the ballot system. Can people not see this is flawed, yes admittedly I opted out of 4 games this year, which puts me to the bottom of the priority for the FA Cup game, but I've been going to Utd for 12 years, with no fail, with alot of my money spent (which is worth it).
I read similar grievances on twitter, about the club not being loyal to its fans, with away games in particular where clearly executive holders get tickets and sell them to their mates who don't even have a season ticket.
I also went through 3 years of applying to go to away games, back to back and got rejected for all of them. This isn't a one-off, fans need to be rewarded for loyalty more at this club, it just leaves a sour taste when they don't.
Ballot criteria needs questioning...
posted on 16/4/16
I didn't realise that's how it worked.
This is my first season as a ST holder, but the fact that I have been to all the cup games presumably puts me ahead of you in terms of priority, which doesn't seem fair.
Anyway, I was hoping to find out yesterday, but nothing so far. Any idea when we find out?
One good thing is that apparently there's free coach travel from Old Trafford for anyone who gets a ticket through the ballot.
posted on 16/4/16
This is my first season as a ST holder, but the fact that I have been to all the cup games presumably puts me ahead of you in terms of priority, which doesn't seem fair.
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Would you like to go to all the cup games then lose out on a ticket to the final to someone who hasn't? That doesn't seem fair.
posted on 16/4/16
comment by Hector (U3606)
posted 42 seconds ago
This is my first season as a ST holder, but the fact that I have been to all the cup games presumably puts me ahead of you in terms of priority, which doesn't seem fair.
.......................................
Would you like to go to all the cup games then lose out on a ticket to the final to someone who hasn't? That doesn't seem fair.
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Fair point.
Although it's the FA Cup, and you're obliged to pay for home FA Cup games anyway. If you have a season ticket at United that's how it works.
So in essence the club are putting attendance of a handful of League Cup and Europa League games this season ahead of attendance of several seasons' worth of league and FA Cup games.
posted on 16/4/16
Seen as the FA cup games are included in the season ticket I would say this is a case where season ticket holders probably should get priority or at least their level has an influence on their chances.
With cup games not included in the season ticket, so League cup and EL I can see the argument for giving priority to those that have been.
Obviously the basic idea is to make money and encourage people to buy tickets for early rounds to get priority later on.
posted on 16/4/16
Up to 60000 Season ticket holder and probably about 30000 tickets available to them. Therin lies the problem
posted on 16/4/16
True. Our allocation is less than 32,000.
If you're going to have the semis at Wembley at least make the most of its nearly 90,000 capacity and give more fans from both sides the chance to go.
posted on 16/4/16
Just got an email from Utd. Got a ticket for Wembley
Good luck OP