Season ticket renewal

[1878SC]

I was not going to renew for quite a while. Nothing wrong with who's around me and happy with my seat. I just couldn't get goodison out my head and parking was a nightmare.
Found somewhere to park the last couple of games, it took ages to find somewhere decent as I was testing new places all the time. The train is just a no go, never enjoyed the sandhills experience.
So will be renewing now, getting more used to the place and getting a match day routine.
If the direct debit I pay goes over £100 per month though, then I'll call it quits. I'm in the lower south, the thought of missing something huge, a cup or European football. I'd be gutted.

 

[chippy1722]

reading through the comments on here, it gives a good insight to the problems people have since the ground move, the issues with transport, the atmosphere the people around them, the costings, the lack of sat 3pm games, it all adds up in the decision as to whether to renew or not, it is a pity this could not be passed onto the club to find out what plans they have in place to put these issues right, because as it sounds it is effecting a lot of people, that will eventually lead to not renewing and just pick the odd game here and there.

Club won’t be too bothered unless it’s a cheap easy fix, they have a waiting list and Seat Unique ready for anyone who doesn’t renew.

 

[Blue Neon]

A lot of ST holders will end up with worse seats than they have already if swapping. Be careful what you wish for!

 

[MikeyMike]

I was so ready to leave Goodison last season, but the new place feels more like a hotel than a home. Looks great from the outside, but no sense of belonging inside.

I'd give anything to be back at Goodison now, even with the terrible views, knee-breaking lack of space, and urine soaked toilet floor.

But, to be honest, the main thing that would stop me renewing is the endless midweek /Sunday games cos I'm based in London. Can't believe how long they're leaving it before starting the renewal process though. Maybe they're waiting for us to forget the run of midweek games?

 

[davek]

I was so ready to leave Goodison last season, but the new place feels more like a hotel than a home. Looks great from the outside, but no sense of belonging inside.

I'd give anything to be back at Goodison now, even with the terrible views, knee-breaking lack of space, and urine soaked toilet floor.

But, to be honest, the main thing that would stop me renewing is the endless midweek /Sunday games cos I'm based in London. Can't believe how long they're leaving it before starting the renewal process though. Maybe they're waiting for us to forget the run of midweek games?

I was watching an academy game from Goodison on video yesterday. I felt like crying. Now that IS a football stadium. Even with a few people sprinkled on the terraces and whole parts of the ground taken out of action. That was and always will be home.

The new stadium is a fantastic event venue, but it's not home and wont be for anyone for an awful long time.

Probably allowing Goodison to survive has been a strategic mistake in that respect.

 

[msb]

I was so ready to leave Goodison last season, but the new place feels more like a hotel than a home. Looks great from the outside, but no sense of belonging inside.

I'd give anything to be back at Goodison now, even with the terrible views, knee-breaking lack of space, and urine soaked toilet floor.

But, to be honest, the main thing that would stop me renewing is the endless midweek /Sunday games cos I'm based in London. Can't believe how long they're leaving it before starting the renewal process though. Maybe they're waiting for us to forget the run of midweek games?

I agree about match timings, but we would have had the same at Goodison.

I’m settling into a routine now, I’d never change back. Not in a million years, I love the new stadium, better views etc.

 

[kev]

I was watching an academy game from Goodison on video yesterday. I felt like crying.

Betamax?

I’m settling into a routine now, I’d never change back. Not in a million years, I love the new stadium, better views etc.

Fully agree. I absolutely loved Goodison, but, although I fully expected to after 50 years, I really don't miss it too much.
It's part of our history now and I look back fondly on it.
I'm now settled into a new matchday routine that I'm happy with and I think the new stadium is superb.

EDIT - 60 years.
Christ, I'm old.

 

[msb]

EDIT - 60 years.
Christ, I'm old.

Comes to us all mate! Just about to buy a new car, got to factor in licence renewal at 70!

 

[dockroad]

Comes to us all mate! Just about to buy a new car, got to factor in licence renewal at 70!

I went to hire a van to help with a house move. Too old at 70 mate no can do.

 

[MikeyMike]

Betamax?

Fully agree. I absolutely loved Goodison, but, although I fully expected to after 50 years, I really don't miss it too much.
It's part of our history now and I look back fondly on it.
I'm now settled into a new matchday routine that I'm happy with and I think the new stadium is superb.

EDIT - 60 years.
Christ, I'm old.

I would have probably agreed with you in October, and I still agree that the new stadium is superb, but as the season has gone along I’ve fallen further out of love with it. I didn’t even realise until I noticed that I wasn’t looking forward to the match any more. I mean, the football has been terrible for years, but now it’s terrible in a comfortable, smart, completely bland and atmosphere-less place instead of in one full of memories, history and - even in the worst of times - atmosphere.

I’m glad you like it, and I do too, but it’s not somewhere I’m prepared to spend hours getting to and from down here in London, especially midweek, whereas Goodison kept me engaged.

 

[msb]

I would have probably agreed with you in October, and I still agree that the new stadium is superb, but as the season has gone along I’ve fallen further out of love with it. I didn’t even realise until I noticed that I wasn’t looking forward to the match any more. I mean, the football has been terrible for years, but now it’s terrible in a comfortable, smart, completely bland and atmosphere-less place instead of in one full of memories, history and - even in the worst of times - atmosphere.

I’m glad you like it, and I do too, but it’s not somewhere I’m prepared to spend hours getting to and from down here in London, especially midweek, whereas Goodison kept me engaged.

I know it’s a cardinal sin to say it, but at times Goodison was like a morgue.

What kept it so special was the memories of when it was utter bedlam, noisy as hell and the place buzzing.

We have yet not had that at HD, but then again we have not even been close to either relegation or, heaven forfend, winning something. It will take time, but it will find its special place, but not if we all abandon it before it’s had a chance.

 

[Tom Hughes]

There are two different threads asking about ST renewal. One showing 20% not renewing, the other showing approx 10% plus another 15% undecided. That's before we see any price increases etc. They're only very small sample sizes and started at different times, so I'm not sure if those who are not renewing would be more inclined to vote, or perhaps be influenced by recent form or number of night matches or whatever other factor. However, if those percentages are representative of the actual numbers who will not renew, then that's a large drop-off after just the first season. Yes, there is supposed to be a large waiting list, but the low take-up of resale seats for some games (albeit at the higher tkt prices) might suggest that attendances will start to drop-off. The transport issues and relative convenience factors for less mobile fans all need to be addressed to help keep more fans engaged, before the novelty and whole "new-stadium-effect" is gone completely.

 

[GazEFC51]

Not sure given the number of games not on a Saturday, the lack of atmosphere and most of all the dour performances under Moyes, especially in the cups.

Really tests your commitment, could I really take another season like it, with people saying he should get a longer contract.
Not sure.

Be careful what you wish for, since the last time we had the Moyes out Brigade we’ve been fighting relegation I’d rather be at the top of the rest

 

[AsiaAsia82]

Be careful what you wish for, since the last time we had the Moyes out Brigade we’ve been fighting relegation I’d rather be at the top of the rest

Understand that but then really what’s the point if there’s no desire to do better than that.

 

[Tom Hughes]

I know it’s a cardinal sin to say it, but at times Goodison was like a morgue.

What kept it so special was the memories of when it was utter bedlam, noisy as hell and the place buzzing.

We have yet not had that at HD, but then again we have not even been close to either relegation or, heaven forfend, winning something. It will take time, but it will find its special place, but not if we all abandon it before it’s had a chance.

Goodison wasn't designed with acoustics in mind at all and had no large kop (pardon the expression) for its home end. What it was, was a very tight arena (not just the front row proximity), with the overlapping tiers bringing the back rows much closer to the pitch and everyone much closer to the action on average. This meant that it was often a very responsive stadium, and could turn into the proverbial bearpit on a single incident..... especially in the days of standing terraces on all sides. Moreso again when the large old enclosure terrace was in place, housing over 20k on its own, which spawned the famous Goodison roar.

Whenever, you see a new stadium being designed, they always say that it is designed for a good atmosphere. This is often a bit of a hollow platitude tbh. Our new stadium has good "whole-stadium" acoustics but probably much less "home-end" atmosphere enhancement than was suggested. Yes, it will definitely be great on the big occasion, when everyone is up for it. However, it's a fairly open, cavernous and slightly vacuous place for those lesser occasions. Hopefully, the South stand will develop into a far more raucous home end in the next few seasons, perhaps after people have moved around and the more vocal are allowed to congregate or become settled into their new matchday routines, with greater familiarity with those around them etc. Then the stadium's atmosphere may well be improved for all games. At present, it is all a bit too new and sterile and needs a bit of a reshuffle, and success to really galvanise it.