Time to expand SMS

[proclaimer]

FA Cup 3rd round. A time for half empty grounds? Not at St Mary's. Home to a championship side. 5 days to go. Limited sale already. Over 28,000 tickets sold.

[Bazwalk]

According to the Club, for the calendar year 2014, the average league attendance was 30,468

[OhWell]

FA Cup 3rd round. A time for half empty grounds? Not at St Mary's. Home to a championship side. 5 days to go. Limited sale already. Over 28,000 tickets sold.

Nearly sold out now. Just a few individual tickets left.

[proclaimer]

According to the Club, for the calendar year 2014, the average league attendance was 30,468

... and so many games sold out and so many potential additional sales lost.

[proclaimer]

FA Cup 3rd round. A time for half empty grounds? Not at St Mary's. Home to a championship side. 5 days to go. Limited sale already. Over 28,000 tickets sold.

Nearly sold out now. Just a few individual tickets left.[/quote]

Amazing. - view external link

[PapaLazarou]

With ticket prices from £3 to a maximum of just £10, it's hardly surprising (and certainly not 'amazing') that tickets have sold fast.

Have to say it's a welcome change in pricing strategy compared to that adopted by the previous regime.

[PapaLazarou]

'the thousands of Saints fans shoe horned in here'

As it should be, too - would much rather see SMS packed to the rafters week in week out than sit looking at swathes of empty seats for all but a handful of games per season.

[PapaLazarou]

According to the Club, for the calendar year 2014, the average league attendance was 30,468

That's higher than our average attendance for this season so far - and we're over halfway through.

Does that mean that, in line with season ticket sales, attendances are continuing to fall ?

[proclaimer]

'the thousands of Saints fans shoe horned in here'

As it should be, too - would much rather see SMS packed to the rafters week in week out than sit looking at swathes of empty seats for all but a handful of games per season.[/quote]


On that basis shops would only open on Fridays and at weekends. What about all those who want to go but can't because it's sold out? Everything else about the club is progressive growth, why not the ground?

My guess is that those who are able to afford and use a season ticket wont appreciate the difficulties for other, no less committed, fans.

[PapaLazarou]

On that basis shops would only open on Fridays and at weekends. What about all those who want to go but can't because it's sold out?

I've been able to buy additional tickets less than 24 hours before kickoff for at least 2 of the so called 'sellout' games - in fact, I've never been unable to get hold of an extra ticket, if one was needed.

Regardless, selling out for just a handful of games per season and dwindling season ticket sales is hardly likely to convince the club to invest some £25m-£35m in extra seating, just to see them remain empty for most games.

Everything else about the club is progressive growth, why not the ground?

Because, for as long as the numbers don't stack up or until prolonged demand makes a stronger business case for ground expansion, then it won't be the number one priority for the club. It really is that simple.