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Home and Away Memberships 2023-24

What are you going for - season 23-24


  • Total voters
    110

Steve B

Jack Armstrong
I think anyone who gets a ticket when Bronze go on sale should be held up as a hero, well done!

For WHU I went back online after about an hour to find 50 seats had been released in BC Upper block N (according to the ticket office, these had been held back for "security reasons"??). I got three separate seats, so am hoping some kind people can budge along up or down a bit to facilitate!
I can’t believe it. I got a ticket.
Waved my bronze member at it and got it straight off dead on 10am.
 

valspoodle

Steve Chettle
Not needing tickets much these days I don't follow the ins and outs of the system too closely.

Am I right in assuming that you need membership to buy a ticket these days? Or might they just go to all-comers if we wait?

Oh, for the days of sitting in the pub having a quiet beer and someone says, let's go to the match. Checks for requisite amount money in the pocket and off we go.
 

forest172

A. Trialist
Not needing tickets much these days I don't follow the ins and outs of the system too closely.

Am I right in assuming that you need membership to buy a ticket these days? Or might they just go to all-comers if we wait?

Oh, for the days of sitting in the pub having a quiet beer and someone says, let's go to the match. Checks for requisite amount money in the pocket and off we go.
memberships. There are more bronze members than tickets available for each home match
 

Louth Red

First Team Squad
Why must the NFST be an exclusive closed membership club?

It’s normal for people who have paid a ‘fee’ to expect something more than those who haven’t which naturally alienates others outside of the group.

Why not advertise or ask for voluntary contributions or raise what funds are needed to cover whatever the costs are for running such a group?

Why not open free of charge to all Forest supporters?

If you want the view of all Forest fans, you have to ask all Forest fans. I’ve never been asked by the NFSC for anything. Neither have I come across any social media inviting my opinion on any matter.

For me, the ‘Trust’ is reminiscent of the old supporters group who were managed by stubborn, self important volunteers with their own agenda rather than encouraging free and open debate across a far wider and broader cross section of the fanbase.

Nottingham Forest have evolved massively over the last 5 years and exciting and energetic groups like Forza are moving positively forwards gaining momentum and fan support.
Hopefully you have now received my offer to meet you.
Perhaps then you can pass judgement on whether I’m stubborn, self-important, or resistant to change.

The reasons I give so much commitment to the Trust is twofold:
1. to improve the Forest supporter match day experience.
2. to hold to account Club ownership and management for its policies and decisions.

I do this because I care about the Club, it’s supporters, and the community it serves. As a regular supporter home and away I see and experience hands-on situations faced by supporters.

You make some valid comments about options for Trust structure and interaction - you will see from my postings that the Board is reviewing it’s operations - importantly it needs the capacity to deliver any changes. Constitutional change requires proper research, learning from high-performing Trusts, good advice, and the support of its members. This will take a little time.

As you know I’ve exchanged friendly emails with one moderator/administrator, and invited two more to talk to me.
Please can you and Strummer let me know if you are willing to talk - you have my contact details.

I agree that the Club is now in a very different position and facing big challenges to adjust to the requirements of the Premier League. The Fan Led Review is a timely and real opportunity for supporter groups to come together and be more effective influencers of Club policy on issues of supporter interest. Sadly, the focus on this forum regarding the Trust is mainly (not exclusively) about the interaction/lack of interaction based on the experience five years ago when the Club was in crisis - this is way before my involvement. Obviously there will always be some differences of opinion on policy, sometimes we agree such as the issue of Home and Away Tickets - which is why the Trust requested the Club Chairman to explain its changed policies in a face to face meeting.

I‘d like to thank LTLF for allowing me to offer my thoughts on the Trust, and also to thank those who responded in a civil manner whether for or against the Trust. Evidence based comment and criticism is always helpful. Posters who use abusive language, post false information, accuse me of being lazy, or getting favours from the Club will be either ignored or corrected as necessary.

My thanks to the moderators and administrators for their tireless efforts on the forum whose efforts enable Forest fans the opportunity to exchange views, and also to provide relevant information to fellow supporters.
 

MapperlyMark

A. Trialist
Hopefully you have now received my offer to meet you.
Perhaps then you can pass judgement on whether I’m stubborn, self-important, or resistant to change.

The reasons I give so much commitment to the Trust is twofold:
1. to improve the Forest supporter match day experience.
2. to hold to account Club ownership and management for its policies and decisions.

I do this because I care about the Club, it’s supporters, and the community it serves. As a regular supporter home and away I see and experience hands-on situations faced by supporters.

You make some valid comments about options for Trust structure and interaction - you will see from my postings that the Board is reviewing it’s operations - importantly it needs the capacity to deliver any changes. Constitutional change requires proper research, learning from high-performing Trusts, good advice, and the support of its members. This will take a little time.

As you know I’ve exchanged friendly emails with one moderator/administrator, and invited two more to talk to me.
Please can you and Strummer let me know if you are willing to talk - you have my contact details.

I agree that the Club is now in a very different position and facing big challenges to adjust to the requirements of the Premier League. The Fan Led Review is a timely and real opportunity for supporter groups to come together and be more effective influencers of Club policy on issues of supporter interest. Sadly, the focus on this forum regarding the Trust is mainly (not exclusively) about the interaction/lack of interaction based on the experience five years ago when the Club was in crisis - this is way before my involvement. Obviously there will always be some differences of opinion on policy, sometimes we agree such as the issue of Home and Away Tickets - which is why the Trust requested the Club Chairman to explain its changed policies in a face to face meeting.

I‘d like to thank LTLF for allowing me to offer my thoughts on the Trust, and also to thank those who responded in a civil manner whether for or against the Trust. Evidence based comment and criticism is always helpful. Posters who use abusive language, post false information, accuse me of being lazy, or getting favours from the Club will be either ignored or corrected as necessary.

My thanks to the moderators and administrators for their tireless efforts on the forum whose efforts enable Forest fans the opportunity to exchange views, and also to provide relevant information to fellow supporters.
What have you done to hold the club to account over how we have the unfairest scheme in the league (source Forza article) and how someone who went to 16 or 17 games is on the same footing as someone who did none. Also, what about the club’s claim that they did “extensive research” which is shown to be highly questionable given out scheme resembles no other in the PL. Are we simply to accept the arguments that are based on flawed logic and at worse and misinformation at best. You have done nothing to hold the account over this simply parroted their opinions which as I say are based on misinformation. Still I’m sure your happy with your priority plus and those who went to 15,16,17 games can continue to be short changed.
 

MapperlyMark

A. Trialist
What have you done to hold the club to account over how we have the unfairest scheme in the league (source Forza article) and how someone who went to 16 or 17 games is on the same footing as someone who did none. Also, what about the club’s claim that they did “extensive research” which is shown to be highly questionable given out scheme resembles no other in the PL. Are we simply to accept the arguments that are based on flawed logic and at worse and misinformation at best. You have done nothing to hold the account over this simply parroted their opinions which as I say are based on misinformation. Still I’m sure your happy with your priority plus and those who went to 15,16,17 games can continue to be short changed.
- which is why the Trust requested the Club Chairman to explain its changed policies in a face to face meeting.
Again what have you done to challenge them further?????The “changed policies” was exactly the same blurb that that ticket office sent to those of us three weeks prior so hardly enlightening. Since then we have found out that we are one of the only clubs who don’t reward loyalty. As I said the one time we needed you, you did nothing but provide predictable blurb. Why was it left to Forza to actually investigate the club’s claims they used extensive research in designing these schemes. Still I’m guessing we should “suck it up” and stay with out tail in between our legs as you accept the club’s position. Maybe if you’d missed out on the threshold and had to experience that diabolical web based battle you may not be so passive
 

MapperlyMark

A. Trialist
Hopefully you have now received my offer to meet you.
Perhaps then you can pass judgement on whether I’m stubborn, self-important, or resistant to change.

The reasons I give so much commitment to the Trust is twofold:
1. to improve the Forest supporter match day experience.
2. to hold to account Club ownership and management for its policies and decisions.

I do this because I care about the Club, it’s supporters, and the community it serves. As a regular supporter home and away I see and experience hands-on situations faced by supporters.

You make some valid comments about options for Trust structure and interaction - you will see from my postings that the Board is reviewing it’s operations - importantly it needs the capacity to deliver any changes. Constitutional change requires proper research, learning from high-performing Trusts, good advice, and the support of its members. This will take a little time.

As you know I’ve exchanged friendly emails with one moderator/administrator, and invited two more to talk to me.
Please can you and Strummer let me know if you are willing to talk - you have my contact details.

I agree that the Club is now in a very different position and facing big challenges to adjust to the requirements of the Premier League. The Fan Led Review is a timely and real opportunity for supporter groups to come together and be more effective influencers of Club policy on issues of supporter interest. Sadly, the focus on this forum regarding the Trust is mainly (not exclusively) about the interaction/lack of interaction based on the experience five years ago when the Club was in crisis - this is way before my involvement. Obviously there will always be some differences of opinion on policy, sometimes we agree such as the issue of Home and Away Tickets - which is why the Trust requested the Club Chairman to explain its changed policies in a face to face meeting.

I‘d like to thank LTLF for allowing me to offer my thoughts on the Trust, and also to thank those who responded in a civil manner whether for or against the Trust. Evidence based comment and criticism is always helpful. Posters who use abusive language, post false information, accuse me of being lazy, or getting favours from the Club will be either ignored or corrected as necessary.

My thanks to the moderators and administrators for their tireless efforts on the forum whose efforts enable Forest fans the opportunity to exchange views, and also to provide relevant information to fellow supporters.
Believe it or not firing over a few stock questions to the Chairmsn which get stock answers is not an example of calling the club in to account because they “care for the fans” this is though:

 

T.B.T.

Forum Princess
LTLF Minion
Hopefully you have now received my offer to meet you.
Perhaps then you can pass judgement on whether I’m stubborn, self-important, or resistant to change.

The reasons I give so much commitment to the Trust is twofold:
1. to improve the Forest supporter match day experience.
2. to hold to account Club ownership and management for its policies and decisions.

I do this because I care about the Club, it’s supporters, and the community it serves. As a regular supporter home and away I see and experience hands-on situations faced by supporters.

You make some valid comments about options for Trust structure and interaction - you will see from my postings that the Board is reviewing it’s operations - importantly it needs the capacity to deliver any changes. Constitutional change requires proper research, learning from high-performing Trusts, good advice, and the support of its members. This will take a little time.

As you know I’ve exchanged friendly emails with one moderator/administrator, and invited two more to talk to me.
Please can you and Strummer let me know if you are willing to talk - you have my contact details.

I agree that the Club is now in a very different position and facing big challenges to adjust to the requirements of the Premier League. The Fan Led Review is a timely and real opportunity for supporter groups to come together and be more effective influencers of Club policy on issues of supporter interest. Sadly, the focus on this forum regarding the Trust is mainly (not exclusively) about the interaction/lack of interaction based on the experience five years ago when the Club was in crisis - this is way before my involvement. Obviously there will always be some differences of opinion on policy, sometimes we agree such as the issue of Home and Away Tickets - which is why the Trust requested the Club Chairman to explain its changed policies in a face to face meeting.

I‘d like to thank LTLF for allowing me to offer my thoughts on the Trust, and also to thank those who responded in a civil manner whether for or against the Trust. Evidence based comment and criticism is always helpful. Posters who use abusive language, post false information, accuse me of being lazy, or getting favours from the Club will be either ignored or corrected as necessary.

My thanks to the moderators and administrators for their tireless efforts on the forum whose efforts enable Forest fans the opportunity to exchange views, and also to provide relevant information to fellow supporters.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.

I’m not local to you and I work full time so meeting up isn’t possible right now. Happy to keep the conversation going via the forum. I know Strummer has a lot of other commitments right now but he certainly intends to respond to you in reply to your messages.

With regards to my opinion and comment, ‘stubborn, self-important, or resistant to change’ it was directed at those running the old supporters club, of which I was a member, so based very much on personal experience.

I appreciate that the NFSC are working to bridge the gap between the fans and the club but as long as they are restrictive and offer exclusivity to paid, subscribed members, they will only ever represent a small minority of supporters.

Please continue to challenge any inaccuracies in posts made and report any that are abusive so we can deal with them. 😊
 

Louth Red

First Team Squad
- which is why the Trust requested the Club Chairman to explain its changed policies in a face to face meeting.
Again what have you done to challenge them further?????The “changed policies” was exactly the same blurb that that ticket office sent to those of us three weeks prior so hardly enlightening. Since then we have found out that we are one of the only clubs who don’t reward loyalty. As I said the one time we needed you, you did nothing but provide predictable blurb. Why was it left to Forza to actually investigate the club’s claims they used extensive research in designing these schemes. Still I’m guessing we should “suck it up” and stay with out tail in between our legs as you accept the club’s position. Maybe if you’d missed out on the threshold and had to experience that diabolical web based battle you may not be so passive
Mark - I really understand your frustration and as you correctly say I’m not experiencing it. There is a Trust Director in exactly your position (seventeen away league games) who is as angry as you are.

The timeline for comment to Supporter Groups from Forest was extremely short - Forza and the Trust agree on this but I don’t know if the Supporters Club or Punjabi Forest were contacted by the Club. A meeting was already scheduled between Club & Trust so this issue was promoted to the list of questions. I wasn’t at the meeting (arranged at short notice when I was on holiday) but in the discussion I’m advised that despite the Trust view and it’s serious challenge to the policy change, the Club was confident their decision was the correct one, and would remain for the forthcoming season.

Ultimately the Club has the right and responsibility to make the decisions despite the views of supporters.

My own views are on this forum - I believe that the Club has made a mistake and there should have been an additional category of priority possibly thirteen to seventeen away league attendances, or the use of loyalty points (similar to some away games last season).

Holding the Club to account needs Supporter Groups to unite rather than fragment but you’ve witnessed the utmost hostility to the Trust and directed at me. Two other Supporter Groups appear silent on this issue - The Supporters Club, and Punjabi Forest, but it’s always the fault of the Trust.

This is why we must realise the potential of the Fan Led Review. Even then it’s still a decision for the Club.

I know it’s not the answer you want but unfortunately for many loyal away supporters it’s the reality. I can’t dress it up any other way. Forza say much the same. It’s good that Forza have used the full text of the Club response to the Trust Q & A to investigate further but they have not persuaded the Club to change its position. Perhaps the Supporters Club or Punjabi Forest could let us know what discussions they have had with the Club?

My recent genuine attempt to engage with other supporters or their groups has produced so much personal abuse and mockery from perhaps twenty deep rooted critics over the past two weeks (thanks to those who showed support, or were objective in their criticism). Maybe the critics are right that I offer no value to Forest supporters? I‘m no quitter but perhaps I should leave it to others, and get my life back by just going to matches. Certainly my wife and daughters (match going Forest supporters) think that as they witness the impact on my health and well-being.
 

Louth Red

First Team Squad
Thanks for taken the time to respond to my post.

I’m not local to you and I work full time so meeting up isn’t possible right now. Happy to keep the conversation going via the forum. I know Strummer has a lot of other commitments right now but he certainly intends to respond to you in reply to your messages.

With regards to my opinion and comment, ‘stubborn, self-important, or resistant to change’ it was directed at those running the old supporters club, of which I was a member, so based very much on personal experience.

I appreciate that the NFSC are working to bridge the gap between the fans and the club but as long as they are restrictive and offer exclusivity to paid, subscribed members, they will only ever represent a small minority of supporters.

Please continue to challenge any inaccuracies in posts made and report any that are abusive so we can deal with them. 😊
Thank you for the prompt response - it is appreciated. Obviously it’s disappointing that I can’t achieve engagement to date despite offering call, zoom or face to face (with me travelling); and contact with three moderators. I’ll await a response from Strummer.

Hopefully the critics will recognise that there has been a genuine effort to liaise with the forum and Forza; and that the Trust is reviewing its procedures.
 

forestzoe

Jack Burkitt
I must say this is a truly appalling post which should have been removed.

Fan groups are volunteers and as we have seen with the Q&A, they are doing their best. If you actually joined the Trust you'd be better informed and found that they do engage with the club before announcements and engage with members before meetings. If you don't join how can you comment like this?

I also know that the Trust helps members and non-members. But they are by law members organisations whereas unofficial groups have no members and no way of challenging those that run them. Personally, Forza don't represent me. It's a choice. Join or don't join.

You have no right to insult people who give time and effort. I know for a fact that the abuse received is hard on the team and you are encouraging others.

Opinions are fine, untruths and bullying are not.

Apologies, not been on all week due to family issues having to be dealt with.

Bullying? For having an opinion? I think the mods and everyone else have replied far better than I could so I won't bother wasting my time replying to such a vile post other than to say I also volunteer my time in modding the fb group and manage to get more info to fans than the Trust, and more engagement, answer more Qs etc etc.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

forestzoe

Jack Burkitt
Fresh from a Forum break and a trip to Newcastle.

This is a lengthy response to correct errors and misstatements in this and other more recent posts, add more information, and to suggest critics talk to various people and organisations close to Forest for their views on the Trust.

As ever ‘I say what I mean and I mean what I say’ with honesty and integrity.

Some truths -
1. The Trust does not claim to represent all Forest fans nor should it, nor should any other supporter group.
2. The Trust has a wider responsibility beyond the football club for the community as per its Constitution.
3. The Trust recognises the wider interests of football supporters and the National Game. This is why it actively participates with FSA on football matters of national importance including the Fan Led Review, stewarding and safety, fixture scheduling. No other Forest Supporter Group is as actively engaged in this way. Of the five Forest Supporter Groups three are affiliate (full) members of the FSA, the DSA an associate member, and Forza is not a member. There may be others like myself who are individual members. FSA has regular face to face dialogue with the FA & PL at the most senior level.
4. Zoe (and others) imply that the relationship with the Football Club is soft - wrong. Contrary to uninformed opinion on here it is a very professional, holding to account relationship as recognised by Trust members who are asked to submit their key concerns, so that the Club Chairman can be quizzed and provide a written response. None of the questions at the recent Q & A were provided by the Club - every single one was based on Trust member submissions. Holding to account is a role in which I have extensive experience in very recent years as Chair of Audit and Governance at organisations larger than Forest so the Trust is well informed on this role. Also like Zoe there are occasions when the Trust is aware of confidential issues which it always respects.
5. Zoe states that our meetings with the Club are tea and cakes - not so it’s business (although I did ask for a glass of water in a meeting with Dane shortly after his arrival as Chief Executive). There is high and earned respect between the Club and Trust which is why the Club Chairman allowed a recorded interview last year which was made available on the website; and more recently the documented response on current issues including ticketing which again was made available. Last season I missed two home games through illness - I contacted COVID for the Liverpool game but called a Forest contact on the morning of the game to allow free use use of my paid for tickets to worthy supporters. This happened and a senior person heard about this and offered me two corporate tickets with food at a future game - which I kindly refused because it’s not something I could ever accept. No Trust Board member would ever take any offer of tickets and/or hospitality from the Club - the rules also require that should any hospitality ever be offered it must be reported to the Board. Even the two season tickets received by the Trust as part of the player sponsorship of the Womens Team are offered to Trust (not board) members.
6. Zoe has suggested that the Trust Board are lazy - ironic as a Board member has just taken four days annual leave from paid employment to spend that time principally on Trust matters. I spend a minimum of ten to twelve hours weekly dedicated to Trust business, much more some weeks, and I did so through holidays in Cornwall and North Yorkshire in June and July. Much of this time is directly on NFST business - issues for members, issues with Forest, services to members and the community, building relationships with the NFFC Womens team (the Trust sponsor a player each season), working with various FSA staff, preparing reports to the Trust Board, reports to FSA and it’s networks (and attending their zoom meetings), raising issues with PL (EFL last season), writing and talking to Clubs about issues encountered by our fans at away games. I am also one of a small number of people working with the FSA on the Fan Led Review of the Womens Game - last month I spent a very long day working on the Womens Game - plus a 250 mile round car journey. I write reports for the website on a range of issues - summarising after research the financial and FFP position of all clubs in the Championship, the Fan Led Review, Fixture Scheduling etc. I’m partway through a review of Trust governance arrangements - Constitution, policies etc; and I’m heavily involved in a major Trust Board meeting to review Trust operations on Sunday. The latter is no problem as I’ll be up at 6.00am preparing for the day, leaving home at 8.00am for the meeting at 10.00am and hoping to grab a bite to eat before the 2.00pm kick off. I’m also picking up our guest at the meeting, the FSA deputy CX, who is a founder member of possibly the best Trust in England - Red and White Army (SAFC) because we wish to learn from the best.
For what it’s worth I’m also heavily involved in the new NFDSA - securing grants and other support, plus researching options on organisational structure - charity, limited liability company etc. These tasks are in addition to Trust duties and are very onerous. Today I’ve prepared a request to Forest about carer tickets.
My time commitment excludes addressing issues on this forum.
So thanks for the suggestion, Zoe, but I‘ll struggle to find more time to get off my backside.
6. The Trust can do more but it needs greater capacity - more volunteers. Sadly the negative views expressed on this forum do not help. The Trust will not be distracted as it is ambitious. Zoe makes some valid points on improving Trust engagement but underestimates the traffic on Trust digital platforms. In the past year the Trust has updated and improved its website which will allow improved interaction going forward.
7. Zoe continues her campaign that the Trust is not proactive which is utterly false, we are ahead of the game in many areas, but perhaps we don’t sell our successes well enough. The loyalty of Trust members suggest that many of them support the actions of the Board.

Yes Zoe I’m sure I could do more but as a clinically vulnerable man of 73 years with many auto-immune issues, and incurable and worsening heart disease (I was given two years to live in 2012) I’m trying my best as I know you are.

These are my thoughts - other colleagues also give freely of their time and other resources, I’ll let them speak for themselves. I do not enjoy responding in this way - I’d much rather just do things quietly, knowing I’ve done my bit to help our supporters but the the bile and bitterness from fellow supporters to Trust Board members cannot be ignored - never constructive, always destructive.

My mother who died in 1968 always told me - ‘if you can’t find anything nice to say about someone, then don’t say anything’.
That has stood with me throughout my life - its led to lasting friendships in personal and work life, and helped break down barriers.

If you want other views on the Trust why not contact -
1. Nicholas Randall QC - The Chairman - or get the Forza leaders to ask when they next meet him.
2. Jonny Owen - a Director.
3. Gary Birtles - a Forest legend.
4. Lindsey Harkin - NFFC Women.
5. NFDSA.
6. The FSA.
7. Those who benefit from Trust food collections.


Finally, as a football supporter and as a dedicated Forest fan who attends nearly every game home and away and talks to fellow supporters (and supporters of other teams) I have my own thoughts on the game. What is clear is that at long last supporters have a seat at the table to influence the future. We need to seize this opportunity by working together and stopping the criticism.

The FSA and Forest know this - what about all our supporter groups?

FTID

Cue more hostility from some Forza members.
Sorry Louth but you've managed to cherry pick a few bits and spectacularly ignore the rest of the post. I said I had got off my arse, I didn't call you lazy, and none of the criticism is directed at you on a.personal level anyway. The tea n cakes was a throwaway comment in part jest, as I'm sorry but my point about the Trust being a mouthpiece still stands.

The engagement issue is the big one.and one you've repeatedly brushed aside in favour of telling us all about the FSA involvement. This sort of stuff is lower down the list for most fans. They want to know why their questions aren't answered, why there isn't the questions being asked of the Club, PRIOR to changes, not after, and so on. All ignored.

I haven't the energy to debate further, after dealig with a teen having a suicidal mental health crash this week, along with my shifts, and you won't accept constructive criticism anyway, as many others on here have pointed out, so I'm bowing out.

I hope that at some.point you can lose the self righteous indignation and see beyond to the bits you've glossed over repeatedly. ENGAGEMENT is what the fans want, not a closed shop you have to pay to be in. Don't say you represent fans, other than those who pay, when you have but a small, inclusive club and very little ENGAGEMENT beyond that. Just look at the SM figures I gave, they tell a big story.

Anyway. Peace out.



Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

forestzoe

Jack Burkitt
And I'll add that had I the time, I would be more than willing to help with socials cos obviously we are getting the engagement with fans, but then again we are active on SM, whereas the Trust are not to any meaningful degree, see my breakdown of posts made by them. This is a root cause, and one you've ignored.

I spend probably 4 or 5 hours A DAY on moderating the group and sourcing stuff, but obviously that's a busy group with 10k+ interacting. If there's one thing I hope you take away from all this it's that the engagement is poor. Whether that's via SM or being proactive not reactive with fans, that's where I think the Trust should start.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

MapperlyMark

A. Trialist
Mark - I really understand your frustration and as you correctly say I’m not experiencing it. There is a Trust Director in exactly your position (seventeen away league games) who is as angry as you are.

The timeline for comment to Supporter Groups from Forest was extremely short - Forza and the Trust agree on this but I don’t know if the Supporters Club or Punjabi Forest were contacted by the Club. A meeting was already scheduled between Club & Trust so this issue was promoted to the list of questions. I wasn’t at the meeting (arranged at short notice when I was on holiday) but in the discussion I’m advised that despite the Trust view and it’s serious challenge to the policy change, the Club was confident their decision was the correct one, and would remain for the forthcoming season.

Ultimately the Club has the right and responsibility to make the decisions despite the views of supporters.

My own views are on this forum - I believe that the Club has made a mistake and there should have been an additional category of priority possibly thirteen to seventeen away league attendances, or the use of loyalty points (similar to some away games last season).

Holding the Club to account needs Supporter Groups to unite rather than fragment but you’ve witnessed the utmost hostility to the Trust and directed at me. Two other Supporter Groups appear silent on this issue - The Supporters Club, and Punjabi Forest, but it’s always the fault of the Trust.

This is why we must realise the potential of the Fan Led Review. Even then it’s still a decision for the Club.

I know it’s not the answer you want but unfortunately for many loyal away supporters it’s the reality. I can’t dress it up any other way. Forza say much the same. It’s good that Forza have used the full text of the Club response to the Trust Q & A to investigate further but they have not persuaded the Club to change its position. Perhaps the Supporters Club or Punjabi Forest could let us know what discussions they have had with the Club?

My recent genuine attempt to engage with other supporters or their groups has produced so much personal abuse and mockery from perhaps twenty deep rooted critics over the past two weeks (thanks to those who showed support, or were objective in their criticism). Maybe the critics are right that I offer no value to Forest supporters? I‘m no quitter but perhaps I should leave it to others, and get my life back by just going to matches. Certainly my wife and daughters (match going Forest supporters) think that as they witness the impact on my health and well-being.
Thanks for your response. As I said earlier my biggest grudge is with the club not you personally, although I think they own us the decency to respond to Forza’s article which shows that out of all PL teams we are somehow the least rewarded for our loyalty (400 aside) and pay £40-£45 for a lottery whilst most other clubs do on loyalty points alone to season ticket holders It’s utterly unacceptable and the fact that in your recent meeting they claimed they were emulating other PL teams is dishonest and disingenuous. At best it’s an overly ambitious scheme that is unworkable (if you’d been in the website to buy tickets when they went on sale to Priorty One you’d understand) at worst it’s a cynical attempt to make more money out of supporters as they know they’ll pocket the cash whatever. We can’t take this lying down and neither should any of the supporters bodies. Not sure if Punjabi Reds position but the Supporters Club unlikely to challenge as they get a pool of tickets to every game regardless!
 

Rich

Rice IV
One theme I’m seeing again and again is about rewarding loyalty. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I just wonder if that’s a concept that’s really invented by those who want to justify their desire to be at the front of the queue.

If you went to Carlisle away, why does that mean you should be able to go to Man Utd away? The tickets bought for Carlisle away were to go to the game. They’re not bought as a sacrifice, it’s not an unpleasant thing to have done, it’s a ticket for a match and you got to see the match. You got what you paid for.

So if you bought 17 away tickets last season, you got to go to 17 away days - Exactly what you bought. You didn’t buy a right to go to other games.

I just wonder if the concept of loyalty in football is misplaced.


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Quntib Hollox

Jack Armstrong
One theme I’m seeing again and again is about rewarding loyalty. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I just wonder if that’s a concept that’s really invented by those who want to justify their desire to be at the front of the queue.

If you went to Carlisle away, why does that mean you should be able to go to Man Utd away? The tickets bought for Carlisle away were to go to the game. They’re not bought as a sacrifice, it’s not an unpleasant thing to have done, it’s a ticket for a match and you got to see the match. You got what you paid for.

So if you bought 17 away tickets last season, you got to go to 17 away days - Exactly what you bought. You didn’t buy a right to go to other games.

I just wonder if the concept of loyalty in football is misplaced.


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Valid point you raise. I’m not sure where I sit on this one. All I know is most of us will never get a chance to follow our team away under the current system. Maybe if you have 20k people wanting away membership let them all in and have some kind of quota/queuing system either on loyalty points so that for example all those who went to Newcastle are now at the back of the queue for Everton. We all might get to 3 away games each and then you have to decide if it was worth the away membership for the privilege.
 

Raymondo Ponte'

It's all about mid-table...
One theme I’m seeing again and again is about rewarding loyalty. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I just wonder if that’s a concept that’s really invented by those who want to justify their desire to be at the front of the queue.

If you went to Carlisle away, why does that mean you should be able to go to Man Utd away? The tickets bought for Carlisle away were to go to the game. They’re not bought as a sacrifice, it’s not an unpleasant thing to have done, it’s a ticket for a match and you got to see the match. You got what you paid for.

So if you bought 17 away tickets last season, you got to go to 17 away days - Exactly what you bought. You didn’t buy a right to go to other games.

I just wonder if the concept of loyalty in football is misplaced.


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Good post.

It's about Club greed imo
 

T.B.T.

Forum Princess
LTLF Minion
I can see it from both sides.

I haven’t been to an away match for a very long time but I’d quite like to go to the occasional Premier game this season.

I accept, however, that it’s incredibly unlikely that I’ll have that opportunity given the current system and the massive demand for tickets.

Had I been a regular and loyal away trip supporter previous seasons and bought a membership for this season yet was advised that I wouldn’t be able to attend certain matches, I think I’d be extremely pissed off.

I’m not sure what the solution is but whatever the club do will disappoint many.
 

Eddie Yates

Steve Chettle
A mate of mine bought the Gold membership & he's used it today but he works a fair few weekends so I've raped it for Spurs & Bournemouth
 

valspoodle

Steve Chettle
It's one of those perennial problems when you have to sell tickets to popular venues. Try to do it on the 'first come, first served' basis or the loyalty basis?

All I know is that those who know say that our system is by far the worst in the Prem. Now how did that happen? Because our guys can't see what others are doing or, perhaps, our ticketing system is so antiquated that they can't do it like others because they don't have the data readily available?

Come on Trust, sort it. You're apparently the only one's with the ear of the club
 
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