Over the course of the past week we have received several enquiries from members regarding various issues, with the most common being
1. When does membership start for 2011/12 season ?
2. Why didn’t the Trust get priority on the final batch of season ticket sales ?
3. Will the Trust get priority on the remaining home tickets and away tickets for next season ?
Dealing with the queries in order
1. 1. Membership for any season officially starts on 1st August and runs until 31st July. However, as you may have read, we will for next season as part of our 10th anniversary celebrations be offering free membership. Season ticket holders will get this as part of their season ticket (unless they opted out) whilst non season ticket holders can join via our website at swanstrust.co.uk, the pod on matchdays or via post (12 Dynevor Avenue, Neath, SA10 7BG). As membership is free, the details needed are minimal. We are in the process of adding the form onto the website and this should be live by the 15th June at the latest. In terms of existing members who are non season ticket holders, we will automatically renew your membership on 1st August 2011.
2. As everyone is no doubt aware, the demand for season tickets for our first season in the Premier League was unprecedented. Trust priority on season tickets was not something that we negotiated with the club, as generic feedback had suggested to us that most had taken advantage of the excellent early bird schemes offered by the club prior to the play off final. As the club was keen to maximise sales to assist with various budgets pre-season then tickets went on sale with no priority. Demand was far higher than anticipated and the club have appreciated this and with hindsight maybe arrangements would have been different.
3. Taking each issue in turn on this one. Home tickets – as has been advertised there will be typically around 1500-2000 tickets available for each home game for general sale. The club is currently looking at the fairest way to allocate these tickets and is keen to avoid the overnight queues seen last week at the Liberty Stadium. Huw Cooze as our Supporter Director is involved heavily in these discussions and reports back to the Trust board for feedback on ideas being discussed. As of yet the system for allocation has not been finalised – we will notify members as soon as this has been agreed. For away tickets, similar schemes are being discussed. The club is appreciative of their loyal away support in recent years and fully aware of demand for away games – particularly some of the very high profile ones. Again, Huw is involved with discussions and we have provided him with some feedback that is being discussed at club board level. There will naturally be levels of disappointment both with home and away tickets this season due to limited availability, and the club is keen to provide solutions that allow as many people as possible to witness at least a part of this historic season.
As a Trust I have to advise that it is unlikely that Trust membership will qualify for priority this season because of the high demand/low supply situation, but as a Trust board we remain committed to try and provide a solution that increases our members chances of watching Swansea City in the Premier League.
I fully appreciate that this may cause disappointment within our membership but with an unprecedented high demand for Swansea City tickets this season it is unavoidable at this moment in time. Huw has informed us that the club will investigate the possibility of extending the Liberty Stadium, however this will not be something that happens immediately.
Please keep an eye on the website for further updates as we get them and rest assured that we are involved in the decision making process at the club thanks to Huw’s sterling work for both the Club board and the Trust board.
If any member wishes to discuss this further then please do get in touch at [email protected] or by ringing Alan 07977 382328.
Phil Sumbler
Chairman, Swansea City Supporters Trust