Football 2010-2011

[The Nal]

But I'm actually very surprised at the last bit you've said - I was under the impression it was just about always sold out. That's certainly the impression that Utd have tried to give to the wider world in recent years, with claims of a huge waiting list for season tickets (now of course shown as myth), and suggestions of needing to expand the stadium further.

[Jaybles]

with claims of a huge waiting list for season tickets (now of course shown as myth)r.

[eFestivals]

Good marketing from Utd so!

It might have been good marketing, but it's now quite possible that it'll come back and bite them hard on the arse financially.

There's a business I know of which used to make similar over-statements* of their popularity, but where their over-statements got to get shown as false eventually. Their income - mostly from similar sorts of 'sponsorship' and 'partnership' things as Utd gets much of its income from - then fell off a cliff and the business went under as a result.

(* I realise that what Utd stated might have true when stated. I don't reckon that would alter anything much in what I say above).

[TheGayTent]

i'm in manchester on 13th. noticed that man city were playing at home so thought i could maybe go to the game. until i saw the £36 price tag for the cheapest seats. no ta!

[The Nal]

It might have been good marketing, but it's now quite possible that it'll come back and bite them hard on the arse financially.

There's a business I know of which used to make similar over-statements* of their popularity, but where their over-statements got to get shown as false eventually. Their income - mostly from similar sorts of 'sponsorship' and 'partnership' things as Utd gets much of its income from - then fell off a cliff and the business went under as a result.

(* I realise that what Utd stated might have true when stated. I don't reckon that would alter anything much in what I say above).

[eFestivals]

There was always a huge waiting list for season tickets.....Selling all the season tickets does not guarantee a full house at every game.

Like Nal said, they have always had the odd couple of thousand to shift here and there as its such a large stadium.

Its only recently that the waiting list for season tickets has gone. Many reasons for this though *Cough Glazers Cough*

Economic climate hasn't helped either.

Oh, I realise there's a variety of reasons why the demand for season tickets has disappeared. I'm not trying to have a dig at Utd about it.

I'm commenting on how its disappearance might have quite a substantial effect on how much sponsors and the like will be prepared to pay for an association with Utd in the future (tho any effect will vary of course with each different deal - to some, stadium popularity won't matter too much as they'll be looking at worldwide, but for some it'll be of much greater importance). If Utd fans won't shell out to watch Utd, then they're even less likely to shell out on products with a Utd association.

[eFestivals]

Enron?

Nope.

Tho don't bother making further guesses, as I'll ignore them - going along with guessing games like that ends up with me either having to lie or own up to who it is, and I wish to do neither of those things.

[The Nal]

Nope.

[ampersand]

£36? I'd have snapped their hands off - that's cheap as chips.

[modey]

The season tickets at utd were in the past very hard to get hold of and there was indeed a sort of waitng list, it's ever since they introduced the automatic cup ticket scheme ( if you have a season ticket you automatically have to buy every home cup game) that they became available

People, including myself, just can't afford too pay £600 -£900 for a season ticket and then say another 7-10 cup tickets on top of that at £30 -£50 each

[The Nal]

The season tickets at utd were in the past very hard to get hold of and there was indeed a sort of waitng list, it's ever since they introduced the automatic cup ticket scheme ( if you have a season ticket you automatically have to buy every home cup game) that they became available

People, including myself, just can't afford too pay £600 -£900 for a season ticket and then say another 7-10 cup tickets on top of that at £30 -£50 each

[Jaybles]

Oh, I realise there's a variety of reasons why the demand for season tickets has disappeared. I'm not trying to have a dig at Utd about it.

I'm commenting on how its disappearance might have quite a substantial effect on how much sponsors and the like will be prepared to pay for an association with Utd in the future (tho any effect will vary of course with each different deal - to some, stadium popularity won't matter too much as they'll be looking at worldwide, but for some it'll be of much greater importance). If Utd fans won't shell out to watch Utd, then they're even less likely to shell out on products with a Utd association.

[modey]

We were looking at sharing two seasons tickets here in work between 4 of us. But the mid week cup games like you said ruled that out when you throw in flights from Dublin, hotels etc. Not a runner unfortunately.

[eFestivals]

This is a problem all clubs are going to have to deal with, but you are right Utd need to stay on top of it in regards to sponsorship deals.

Oh, I agree, it's likely that all clubs will see a downturn in match sales because of the recession, with that downturn impacting onto their attractiveness for sponsors and the like.

But for Utd it's more than that (even if some of it is down to bad timing of a change to the season ticket deal) - working from the claims of a 60,000 waiting list for season tickets, Utd's match day popularity has been about cut in half from what it was claimed to be. Other clubs aren't really likely to see a similar percentage fall.

With that popularity cut in half, that makes them only half as attractive as they were to some of their sponsors and the like - and given the big money paid by sponsors and the like, that might well translate into big falls in income for Utd from those deals from now on.

[TheGayTent]

Man Utd are fcuked. When Rooney goes in January or the summer, and the drunk rides off into the sunset soon enough too, we'll see a massive decline - no CL, losing the 'floating voters'...will be a very enjoyable watch.

[ralph250]

Old Trafford 76,100

From our prem games so far:

newcastle 75,221

west ham 75,061

liverpool 75,213

wba 75,272

spurs 75,223

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/results?id=360&season=2010&_league=eng.1&cc=5739

Sponsors won't be deterred too much, if any shortfall in STs is picked up in general sales to that extent. They sold 51,800 STs from a target of 54,000 according to Gill. It's not too much flack to pick up.

Edited November 3, 2010 by ralph250

[ampersand]

Man Utd are fcuked. When Rooney goes in January or the summer, and the drunk rides off into the sunset soon enough too, we'll see a massive decline - no CL, losing the 'floating voters'...will be a very enjoyable watch.

[ralph250]

Man Utd are fcuked. When Rooney goes in January or the summer, and the drunk rides off into the sunset soon enough too, we'll see a massive decline - no CL, losing the 'floating voters'...will be a very enjoyable watch.

[5co77ie]

Man Utd are fcuked. When Rooney goes in January or the summer, and the drunk rides off into the sunset soon enough too, we'll see a massive decline - no CL, losing the 'floating voters'...will be a very enjoyable watch.

[TheGayTent]

I'd like to think so but I suspect Moyes will do a great job.

[The Nal]

I don't think he'll take it.

[TheGayTent]

yeah, but you predicted Spain had no chance.

[TheGayTent]

Because he wont be offered it. I reckon Mourinho will. I reckon he'll take it to.

[eFestivals]

Mourinho isn't stupid.

and nor are Utd, to offer it to him in the first place.

[Cardboard Box City]

Must say Mourinho has done really well with Madrid so far. They've only dropped four points so far and look a lot sounder at the back from last season. Look better than Barce at the moment with el Classico coming up this month. Long way to go yet like.