Coops_AVFC Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 General, speaking of the NFL, do you have any predictions for the upcoming season; Superbowl winners, surprise team of the year and rookie of the year? My own feeling is if Brady can stay healthy the Pats will win it, otherwise the Steelers to repeat. Surprise team, Bengals. Rookie is tough but i'd go with either Sanchez or surprisingly Percy Harvin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Hi Gen, no request, just wanted to say a big thanks for the work that you, Randy, Martin and all the others in the family do to make the club so special. Long may it continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Hi general, I know the prices are some of cheapest around but I think for Under 16's, they could be put down a tad. In the 07-08 season, they were £10-15 most games and even two United supporting mates brought half season tickets along with me and sang and supported the Villa like they were actual Villans, I live on the outside of Birmingham and honestly, I try my hardest to bring anyone to Villa game but noone's interested, mainly because of the prices. We play a good team at home, (top 4) and it's on TV usually, so obviously people don't want to spend £30 when they can watch it at home. Then we play Portsmouth at home, I had 7 people who were interested in going, then when I said £20 for Upper Holte, they all basically said No, I mean if I'm honest, I;m 17 and I'm breaking the rules but I go to 6th form as do many people my age, or college. I also work part-time and do what I can, earning £40 a week, just doing 10 hours a week. To just watch Portsmouth at home for an under 16, is £20 ticket for Upper Holte as to be honest, anywhere else on the ground isn't close to the atmosphere, add that to the bus or train there, which is £4. Considering we leave bus at 1pm and get back at 7pm, obviously food and drink is quite expensive so the whole day usually comes upto around £30. Now not all my mates are exactly football fanatics, nevermind Aston Villa fans, I try to get them into football and the cheapest day out for them is £30!....There more interested in the away games where we can drive to say Blackburn, get a ticket for £5-10 and pay £5-6 petrol each! I know you do some of the cheapest prices around the Premiership, but I can barely get to Villa with the prices of football at the moment, lack of interest from other people around me, means if I do, I go by myself and as a 17 year old, leaving my house at 12.30pm, getting back to my house at around 7pm, then it's not as exciting as a day out with your mates. Fair enough if you keep the prices high for the big games, Chelsea, United etc...as there is obviously alot of general interest for those games but Portsmouth, arguably one of the worst teams in the league, not an attractive game and it's £20 in the Top of the Holte end for an under 16, kids who don't even work but still have to pay for their own ticket and to be honest if I went by the rules and payed an under 21 tickets, it's an extra £5-10 for the day, I could barely afford 3/4 home matches a season! Sorry it's a bit of a rant, it's just so fustrating, I hate seeing low crowds at Villa but to be honest, I guess there are a number of people in my position, college/6th form students, aged 16-18 who are at the age of paying things for the themselves, but can't work full-time....also at the age of parties, drinking, socialising! Please general, please General, look into it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brommy Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 General, With reference to AVFC-Prideofbrum's post above and the potential spare capacity available at some of our 'non-glamour' games: My season ticket holding 12 year old son received an offer in the post from Villa last season - bring a friend to two specified games for £5 each game. He loved being able to invite a friend, we had room in the car for one more, the parent paid (good value for an afternoon's 'babysitting'!), and the Villa got nearly £20 (the lad paid for food and drink) they would otherwise have been without. Everybody wins! I hope Nicky Keye and her team are considering similar (the same would be nice!) offers for this season. I hope this doesn't read like asking for 'something for nothing'. I believe it makes good business sense and gets more fans into Villa Park as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santa_Rosa Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 General, As an Off Topic dweller, I've just read your letter of support to George Will on his Time to Get out of Afghanistan piece for the Washington Post. I've always been of the opinion that, while we're right to be getting out of Iraq, Afghanistan was a different problem, and one that could only be solved by more boots on the ground. Your well argued points, and those of Mr Will, have made me question this belief. I need to do some more thinking on the subject I reckon - something which everyone would benefit from doing, so thanks for that. And thanks for the excellent work which you, Randy and the rest of the team continue to do for our club. It means a lot. P.S I'm not looking to turn this into an Afghanistan thread by the way - although I'm sure your contributions would be most welcome over on Off Topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razor Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 To me the reason we dont sell out is simple, we dont buy players that excite the fans. To me it doesn't really matter who we sign, if i can afford then i will attend, but i think a lot of people, especially the kids, just don't get excited about 'steady' signings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-krulak Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 General Krulak here: 1. AVFC-Pride of Brum: I understand your concerns and know where you are coming from. Nicky Keye reads this thread daily and will take on board your comments. There are definitely games where we recognize that we probably won't "sell out" and we try to utilize those games to get "new" fans acquainted with the Villa and "help" fans who may not have the money to come otherwise. Let's let Nicky have a look. 2. Razor: I hope and pray that the reason fan attendence is down is not because we have somehow failed to buy "players to excite fans." That just doesn't hold for me. The idea that someone who is called by a "single name" is going to determine whether I buy a ticket or not to a game is, for me, (I recognize not for everyone) a non-starter. Our Club spent a good deal of money this summer buying strength at several positions. The fact that we are dedicated to moving forward and have shown that dedication by spending the money should "excite" our fans. If it doesn't...if it takes a "single name" player to do that...well, we are in trouble. There are only so many KaKa's and Messi's around...and they are already taken. Sorry. I think we made some very savvy acquisitions this summer and we ought to give these lads a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santa_Rosa Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 The fact that we are dedicated to moving forward and have shown that dedication by spending the money should "excite" our fans. If it doesn't...if it takes a "single name" player to do that...well, we are in trouble. There are only so many KaKa's and Messi's around...and they are already taken. Sorry. I think we made some very savvy acquisitions this summer and we ought to give these lads a chance. So it's not just Afghanistan that the General talks sense on then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-krulak Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 General Krulak here: 1. Santa-Rosa: The letter to George Will has obviously cause a wee bit of a stir here in the US. I stand by what I said. We concentrated on Afghanistan because that is where the 9/11 attack was hatched by Al Queda...but now we are fighting the Taliban (which we supported during the Soviet-Afghan dustup) and equipping and training Pakistani forces ( to the anquish of another ally called India). The basic questions of National Interest and end-state have not been addressed and yet we are talking about sending in more troops. Seems out of synch to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFC-Prideofbrum Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 General, nice post on 606 to Oxford Lady Villan! don't tell your wife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1380 Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 General - just noted you post re Nicky Keye reading the thread. I could do with assistance from either of you if possible? I have yet to receive my ticket for the Blues game, even though I have been charged for it some weeks ago and the other ticket ordered (via the away scheme) has arrived with my cousin who I attend games with. I tried to resolve the situation today but was told that I needed to speak to a specific person who managed the away scheme - needless to say I haven't been able to do this. I have emailed the ticket office and will call tomorrow but any assistance but would be gratefully received. Thanks Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsjg80 Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Hi General, In relation to lower attendances one suggestion may be to offer a larger range of 'finance' packages. Currently it's pay in full or three monthly instalments but surely a system could be worked out where by fans are paying smaller instalments (or direct Debit) over a longer period - charging differing ranges of interest or writing in a 'exit fee' if leaving early: much like mobile phone contracts. Last year I was a full time teacher and had a season ticket. This year I'm a supply teacher and couldn't afford either of the current options as my pay is too broken up, but had the cost been spread over a longer time like a Direct Debit I would have signed up again no doubt. Now I have to justify weekly whether I should go - something I wouldn't do if it was just a Direct debit. I appreciate Villa's attempts to help people afford to head down to VP and this is just another suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTheVillan Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 It cannot be ignored though General that fans do get excited by a big name signing - and this does put bums on seats. Possibly not a Kaka or a Messi - it would 'only' take a Defoe or similar to get the blood pumping again. However, as you say, we do have a squad of some quality now so hopefully we can push on from last season with MON's management ability being crucial this season I would suggest. I would also suggest that he is the man to do it over and above all of his counterparts. UTV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheltenham_villa Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Hi General, In relation to lower attendances one suggestion may be to offer a larger range of 'finance' packages. Currently it's pay in full or three monthly instalments but surely a system could be worked out where by fans are paying smaller instalments (or direct Debit) over a longer period - charging differing ranges of interest or writing in a 'exit fee' if leaving early: much like mobile phone contracts. Last year I was a full time teacher and had a season ticket. This year I'm a supply teacher and couldn't afford either of the current options as my pay is too broken up, but had the cost been spread over a longer time like a Direct Debit I would have signed up again no doubt. Now I have to justify weekly whether I should go - something I wouldn't do if it was just a Direct debit. I appreciate Villa's attempts to help people afford to head down to VP and this is just another suggestion. I have a premiership barclaycard, this charges me 0% interest when i buy my season ticket. Allowing me to spread my payments over the season. Just a suggestion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YorkshireCoop Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 General Krulak here: 1. AVFC-Pride of Brum: I understand your concerns and know where you are coming from. Nicky Keye reads this thread daily and will take on board your comments. There are definitely games where we recognize that we probably won't "sell out" and we try to utilize those games to get "new" fans acquainted with the Villa and "help" fans who may not have the money to come otherwise. Let's let Nicky have a look. 2. Razor: I hope and pray that the reason fan attendence is down is not because we have somehow failed to buy "players to excite fans." That just doesn't hold for me. The idea that someone who is called by a "single name" is going to determine whether I buy a ticket or not to a game is, for me, (I recognize not for everyone) a non-starter. Our Club spent a good deal of money this summer buying strength at several positions. The fact that we are dedicated to moving forward and have shown that dedication by spending the money should "excite" our fans. If it doesn't...if it takes a "single name" player to do that...well, we are in trouble. There are only so many KaKa's and Messi's around...and they are already taken. Sorry. I think we made some very savvy acquisitions this summer and we ought to give these lads a chance. General regards your reply to Razor, I think you may have miss understood his point - please correct me if I am wrong... Now yes I fully agree that there are only a few Messi's and Kaka's around, and I dont think any Villa fan expects to see players like this at Villa Park. However, players which " excite the fans " dont have to be the best players in the world - they need to be a player who has a bit of magic about them, someone with a character, someone who the local kids around birmingham can wear on the back of their shirts and show off to their mates who support the team from the dark side. A few examples in the past decade may be Paul Merson, David Ginola, Beni Carbone. Now these players have never been Kaka's or Messi's, but they really did get the place buzzing. I understand these players had their faults, but the knock on effect from shirt sales, ticket sales and the general buzz around the place is a no brainer for me. SOME Football supporters pay to be entertained. They need their hunger massaging. Clubs need to buy the odd player like these to make kids pester their dads into buying a season ticket. Players who make you come away from Villa thinking " wow, how did he manage to do that?". Players that as soon as the ball is at their feet, you get a tingle down your spine because you know that you could be about to witness something magical. At the moment, the first 11 in the team are a good bunch of honest players - hard working, technically sound and will grind out results - but none of these players have a real " wow " factor about them. Which going back to Razor's post, I fully agree with analysis - loyal fans will come and watch whether you play with Messi or Harewood - but if you want to fill those extra seats and sell those extra shirts, having a wow player will certainly boost your chances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salsa Party Animal Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 With a man of your knowledge of military you must have some good friends who specialise in security. I think we should use them to check out players property to make sure their security are up to scratch. I read on the site Jimmy's house had a failed break in. Just to make sure our players doesn't have to worry about their families when they play away for the club/country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2hardcore Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 hi general as your are probably aware birmingham city have charged the villa fans £48 a ticket for the derby on sunday. now we were led to belive this is because thats what they are charging there own fans. now there is speculation going round that they are charging £15 a ticket for adults in so called restricted view areas which are the front 5 rows of there stands. if this is true then surely villa fans who have got tickets on the front 5 rows should also be charged £15. i was wondering if you could get somebody at the club to look into this as it seems they are ripping us off AGAIN! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedge Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 hi general as your are probably aware birmingham city have charged the villa fans £48 a ticket for the derby on sunday. now we were led to belive this is because thats what they are charging there own fans. now there is speculation going round that they are charging £15 a ticket for adults in so called restricted view areas which are the front 5 rows of there stands. if this is true then surely villa fans who have got tickets on the front 5 rows should also be charged £15. i was wondering if you could get somebody at the club to look into this as it seems they are ripping us off AGAIN! thanks Seconded, this scam has gone on for too long... Investigation time methinks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blunther Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 hi general as your are probably aware birmingham city have charged the villa fans £48 a ticket for the derby on sunday. now we were led to belive this is because thats what they are charging there own fans. now there is speculation going round that they are charging £15 a ticket for adults in so called restricted view areas which are the front 5 rows of there stands. if this is true then surely villa fans who have got tickets on the front 5 rows should also be charged £15. i was wondering if you could get somebody at the club to look into this as it seems they are ripping us off AGAIN! thanks Thirded. Seems well out of order. Seems I'm going to have to stand up all game just to see the players' feet, so no doubt I'll be kicked out after ten minutes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-krulak Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 General Krulak here: 1. YorkshireCoop and Razor: It is not that I don't understand what you are saying...I understand it all too well. It is simply that I think that this particular line of thinking gets Clubs in trouble...and we don't want that to happen to us. We are looking for players who play our brand of football (the brand our Manger desires), who play their hearts out every game, who run their socks off, and who can be counted upon by their teammates. The player who elicits the occasional "wow, how did he manage to do that?" may well be the player who should have passed to the open man about 3 seconds earlier. Yes, it is great viewing...but is it team play? I've seen some pretty "wow" plays from some of out lads...Ashley, Gabby, to name two. Watching Carew give the Blues defenders absolute fits...holding the ball, turning, passing, shooting...I got one helluva wow out of that! I just think it is totally sad when ticket sales are based on what one or more fans believe is the wow factor. I am sorry...it is just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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