It's about that time of year but (perhaps unsurprisingly) no word from NFFC Towers.
The club's got some very difficult decisions to make.
A year away from the game has increased the disconnect that some fans feel. For a good number, it will be the "incentive" they need to break the cycle and not renew for the season coming.
For many, the capitulation at the end of last season, and the -frankly- turgid fare on offer will make many think long and hard about the value of renewing.
And there's a large number who, even when restrictions are lifted, will simply not be comfortable immersing themselves into the middle of a crowd of people, packed like sardines in the concourses and stairwells, and uncomfortably close even in the seats. Some of those people will perhaps want to knock it on the head, some won't.
With the uncertainty for many over jobs, pay, security etc, the club needs to think carefully about pricing. Any meaningful increase will cause a lot of "loyals" to jack it in.
And given the anger with which the botched 2020 ticket options were rightly greeted with, the club needs to be very careful how it treats its lifeblood supporters.
Perhaps an option to put a deposit down on your seat for the 2022-3 season and releasing that seat for general sale for 2021? (Unless there is huge season ticket demand this time)
Will the club go straight back to 30,000 capacity in August? If so, how many people will feel reluctant to attend after the year of lockdown and social distancing?
If not, what provision will be available and offered for an iFollow-type-service that many people have used and enjoyed this last year?
Sometimes I don't envy the club's decision-makers and this is indeed one of those times.
The only thing I will say is, "DON'T F**K THIS UP LIKE YOU DID A YEAR AGO". Many supporters are on the ragged edge of voting with their wallets and heads. NFFC should consider incentives to renew, rather than depending on blind loyalty - because that loyalty has been sorely tested this last year.
Over to you, Forest.
The club's got some very difficult decisions to make.
A year away from the game has increased the disconnect that some fans feel. For a good number, it will be the "incentive" they need to break the cycle and not renew for the season coming.
For many, the capitulation at the end of last season, and the -frankly- turgid fare on offer will make many think long and hard about the value of renewing.
And there's a large number who, even when restrictions are lifted, will simply not be comfortable immersing themselves into the middle of a crowd of people, packed like sardines in the concourses and stairwells, and uncomfortably close even in the seats. Some of those people will perhaps want to knock it on the head, some won't.
With the uncertainty for many over jobs, pay, security etc, the club needs to think carefully about pricing. Any meaningful increase will cause a lot of "loyals" to jack it in.
And given the anger with which the botched 2020 ticket options were rightly greeted with, the club needs to be very careful how it treats its lifeblood supporters.
Perhaps an option to put a deposit down on your seat for the 2022-3 season and releasing that seat for general sale for 2021? (Unless there is huge season ticket demand this time)
Will the club go straight back to 30,000 capacity in August? If so, how many people will feel reluctant to attend after the year of lockdown and social distancing?
If not, what provision will be available and offered for an iFollow-type-service that many people have used and enjoyed this last year?
Sometimes I don't envy the club's decision-makers and this is indeed one of those times.
The only thing I will say is, "DON'T F**K THIS UP LIKE YOU DID A YEAR AGO". Many supporters are on the ragged edge of voting with their wallets and heads. NFFC should consider incentives to renew, rather than depending on blind loyalty - because that loyalty has been sorely tested this last year.
Over to you, Forest.
arty:
