Ipswich sold out

[OhWell]

Sold out nearly a week before the game. The stadium's too small. They should get cracking on an expansion plan now or thousands of potential new fans are going to be turned away in future.

[PapaLazarou]

At £3 to a maximum of £10 per ticket, I'm surprised the tickets weren't snapped up quicker than they were - it's even cheaper than going to watch Eastleigh.

Nice touch from the club though and, whilst it's completely unsustainable as a long term pricing strategy, it's a refreshing change from the prices for early cup rounds set by our previous overlord.

And using a massively discounted game as an indicator that the stadium is too small makes about as much sense as relying on the number of twitter followers the club has.

[OhWell]

At £3 to a maximum of £10 per ticket, I'm surprised the tickets weren't snapped up quicker than they were - it's even cheaper than going to watch Eastleigh.

Nice touch from the club though and, whilst it's completely unsustainable as a long term pricing strategy, it's a refreshing change from the prices for early cup rounds set by our previous overlord.

And using a massively discounted game as an indicator that the stadium is too small makes about as much sense as relying on the number of twitter followers the club has.

None of our recent sold out home games against Everton, Chlesea and Arsenal, have been 'massively discounted'. Next season, it is going to be very difficult for fans to get tickets and thousands of potential new fans will be turned away. Why do that? The cost of an upper tier on one of the stands would be repaid by ticket sales in 5 years, and then there would be decades of potential increased profits, not j

[PapaLazarou]

Attendances (and season tickets) have been reducing, not increasing. Not sure why you think next season going to be 'more difficult' for fans to get tickets.

As for the rest of your post, the club has already stated it will look at prioritising expansion when prolonged demand (and a sound business case) exists. Clearly, they do not consider now to be that time.

[OhWell]

Attendances (and season tickets) have been reducing, not increasing. Not sure why you think next season going to be 'more difficult' for fans to get tickets.

As for the rest of your post, the club has already stated it will look at prioritising expansion when prolonged demand (and a sound business case) exists. Clearly, they do not consider now to be that time.

Face the truth: our average gate is increasing this season but it can't increase any more because the games are sold out. You seem to belong to a tiny minority of fans desperate for the club to stay small but the only way this can happen is with failure on the pitch. Why would any fan want that?

[PapaLazarou]

The truth, you say.. I presume you are referring to reducing attendances over the past two seasons, an average attendance this term which is lower than the year as a whole, decreasing season ticket sales, etc ?

The club is in possession of more detailed facts, figures and knowledge of available expenditure than any of us and are much better placed to make prudent and informed decisions on the development and financial future of SFC.

Armed with this knowledge, the current board has clearly stated that, unless and until there is sufficient and sustained demand to warrant a multi-million pound investment in SMS, expansion will not be a high level priority.

And that's the truth - really not sure why it's so difficult to grasp as a concept.

Edit - the 'tiny minority' you refer to. What is that assertion based upon, and does it include the club as well ?

[kernow]

Bart plays in goal for Ipswich these days so fans need to give him a nice warm welcome.
Hopefully he'll perform like he did for Saints v Blackpool.

[proclaimer]

I'll bet there won't many clubs playing teams from a league below who will sell out for the 3rd round FA Cup tie, discounted tickets or not.
Well done Ipswich fans too.

As for the expansion debate it's obvious now that we need to grow. We are selling out time and again and regardless of stats which prove nothing (The Dell never had sell out 100% average attendances) we need more than we have now to meet demand for all those games sold out in advance, and that is before you think about population growth and future generations who want to come.

An old business adage. Stand still and you'll go backwards.

[Charlie_Wayman]

Attendances (and season tickets) have been reducing, not increasing. Not sure why you think next season going to be 'more difficult' for fans to get tickets.

As for the rest of your post, the club has already stated it will look at prioritising expansion when prolonged demand (and a sound business case) exists. Clearly, they do not consider now to be that time.

Face the truth: our average gate is increasing this season but it can't increase any more because the games are sold out. You seem to belong to a tiny minority of fans desperate for the club to stay small but the only way this can happen is with failure on the pitch. Why would any fan want that?[/quote]

As long term Saints supporter there is nothing I would like to see more than an enlarged stadium and the club established in the really big time. It might just happen, but we need a structure plan not a knee jerk reaction. I do

[PapaLazarou]

As for the expansion debate it's obvious now that we need to grow.

No, it isn't. And that's not me talking, that's from the club itself.

Perhaps if those that continue to cherry pick a handful of games to attend each season had contributed to a more sustained demand over all 19 home fixtures, then the increased attendances might have seen the club already commence works on the stadium and we wouldn't be having this debate.

Unfortunately, that hasn't happened and the cold hard fact of the matter is that there simply isn't the justification for the club to expand the stadium at this time.