Steve Bruce

[Head Honcho]

Steve Bruce was on the button yesterday when he brought up the subject of empty seats at FA cup matches.

In every single match I saw highlights off yesterday, I saw a sea of empty seats.

Surely by now clubs must realise that ST holders aren't going to turn up in numbers for FA cup matches and so reduce ticket prices for them. They may not be able to sit in their usual seat of course but playing to half empty stadiums is just crazy.

Maybe reducing tickets for FA cup matches per se could be another option.

Say that there's probably some obscure FA rule barring clubs from having competitive price's so as not to devalue the tournament.

** I am not a ST holder by the way**

[dandannieldanok]

Steve Bruce was on the button yesterday when he brought up the subject of empty seats at FA cup matches.

In every single match I saw highlights off yesterday, I saw a sea of empty seats.

Surely by now clubs must realise that ST holders aren't going to turn up in numbers for FA cup matches and so reduce ticket prices for them. They may not be able to sit in their usual seat of course but playing to half empty stadiums is just crazy.

Maybe reducing tickets for FA cup matches per se could be another option.

Say that there's probably some obscure FA rule barring clubs from having competitive price's so as not to devalue the tournament.

** I am not a ST holder by the way**

It's all well and good saying this but I bet he is too afraid to knock on the chairman's door and demand the club reduce prices for cup games.

[Brummie-FOX]

Basically, nobody really cares about the FA Cup.. strangely. I saw Forest and Birmingham had empty seats. Any coincidence that their at the right end of their league tables? I think they'd rather just have promotion, or the clubs at the wrong end of their league tables would just want to concentrate on surviving relegation.

And yes, the ticket prices had a say in it IMO.

[Jay]

Steve Bruce was on the button yesterday when he brought up the subject of empty seats at FA cup matches.

In every single match I saw highlights off yesterday, I saw a sea of empty seats.

Surely by now clubs must realise that ST holders aren't going to turn up in numbers for FA cup matches and so reduce ticket prices for them. They may not be able to sit in their usual seat of course but playing to half empty stadiums is just crazy.

Maybe reducing tickets for FA cup matches per se could be another option.

Say that there's probably some obscure FA rule barring clubs from having competitive price's so as not to devalue the tournament.

** I am not a ST holder by the way**

but the main problem is that for cup matches both sides have to agree on the pricing structure, yesterday for example the club was desperate to do a cheap offer to fill seats but this couldn't be agreed with Fulham. A similar thing happend with Bury when the club wanted to do tickets for a fiver but Bury wouldn't agree.

The fact is for some smaller clubs and not the likes of Birmingham and Newcastle a cup match against a big side can provide enough money to keep them going for the rest of the season, and they want to make as much money as they can. take Macclesfield they would be due a large percentage of the gate receipts from playing Chelsea and when they get home crowds of less than 2000 they can make money to keep them above water for a few seasons and fair play to them!!

Birmingham themselves are the ones who charge £30 for a home match ticket (£31 for awayers!!) and I am sure if his chairman said Steve we are taking up your idea of reducing ticket prices BUT as a result of the drop in income we have to sell a couple of players and you have no money for signing anymore strikers this month we think 14 is plenty for any club he would soon have something to say about lack of ambition and not being backed by his chairman!!

don't get me wrong I would love to see cheaper tickets and a full ground I have said for many years to get get people in the ground and spending money one merchandise, pies etc would generate more income however to hear Steve Bruce saying it "representing the man on the street" doesn't cut the mustard with me I am sure he wouldn't be willing to give up half his £30000 a week wages to have cheaper match day tickets for the ordinary fans on the street

[dandannieldanok]

Basically, nobody really cares about the FA Cup.. strangely. I saw Forest and Birmingham had empty seats. Any coincidence that their at the right end of their league tables? I think they'd rather just have promotion, or the clubs at the wrong end of their league tables would just want to concentrate on surviving relegation.

And yes, the ticket prices had a say in it IMO.

Agreed, the top prem clubs do care because they know they have a good chance of winning it. However, clubs like Forest and Brum may get past a few rounds but have no realistic hopes of reaching the final unless a miracle occurs. I just wish that Leicester players, who only seem to perform in the FA Cup, play with the same heart and desire in the league.

[Brummie-FOX]

Agreed, the top prem clubs do care because they know they have a good chance of winning it. However, clubs like Forest and Brum may get past a few rounds but have no realistic hopes of reaching the final unless a miracle occurs. I just wish that Leicester players, who only seem to perform in the FA Cup, play with the same heart and desire in the league.

Yeah, strange how we can beat Tottenham at home and give Villa a decent game, yet we cant beat the likes of Hull and Burnley. However, i'd rather have League success, although a good cup run could install confidence in the players.

[Head Honcho]

Basically, nobody really cares about the FA Cup.. strangely. I saw Forest and Birmingham had empty seats. Any coincidence that their at the right end of their league tables? I think they'd rather just have promotion, or the clubs at the wrong end of their league tables would just want to concentrate on surviving relegation.

And yes, the ticket prices had a say in it IMO.

Don't tell me nobody cares about the FA cup! Tell that to the 5000 Swansea fans at Sheffield yesterday.

Any fan of any club reaching the 5th round soon becomes interested no matter how much the tickets are.

It's not that no one care's it's boils down to economics.

The 3rd round is always the 1st weekend after xmas and new year and fans' wallets have been stretched to the limit for the past month and as much as they'd like to go and watch a 3rd round match paying off the plastic takes priority.

It's up to both clubs and the FA to make cup prices around this time of year competitive.

I take your point with Birmingham though jay, they're pricing policy is scandalous!

[Brummie-FOX]

Ok, maybe the ' nobody cares ' was a bit too strong but;

I think if you gave the fans of Birmingham for example a choice between promotion to the Premiership, or winning the FA Cup, I think i'll know what they say. IMO

[davieG]

As a ST holder I decided not to go to yesterdays game. I was intending to purchase tickets for it after the Sunderland game but after yet another totally inept performance decided to leave my money in my pocket.

Yesterday's performance and result does not raise a single regret at that decision, in fact it reinforces my view that the players and management are taking the piss.

The continuing 'raised' performances in the cup annoys me immensely and demonstrates quite clearly that RK does not have the ability to motivate this team, neither did CL. Their motivation comes from within as in League game - can't be arsed; Cup game wow let's give it a go.

I also do not buy this excuse that the Championship is different, well it is but it's simply not good enough to use as an excuse for the massively underperforming spectacles we witness week in and week out, even when we've won we're still crap.

I can live with losing, what I can't abide is this interminable lack lustre perfomances, it's clearly not about the quality of the players they've proved that they have ability.

4 years of shite has taken it's toll with me and unless there is some significant improvement in attitude and belief from the players, never mind cup games they'll be two less ST purchased next year.

[lildave3]

Ok, maybe the ' nobody cares ' was a bit too strong but;

I think if you gave the fans of Birmingham for example a choice between promotion to the Premiership, or winning the FA Cup, I think i'll know what they say. IMO

I'd rather win the FA Cup.

[Flynny]

Oh he was probably just trying to be a bit controversial and hope no-one stared at his nose.

[stez]

Good to see Steve Bruce come out and complain about the ticket pricing !

did i also hear him say he and all his players were taking a pay cut to allow for lower ticket prices?

no? thought not

[Ultra]

Steve Bruce was on the button yesterday when he brought up the subject of empty seats at FA cup matches.

In every single match I saw highlights off yesterday, I saw a sea of empty seats.

Not at Chelsea there wasn't, or Liverpool, or even Man Utd, despite the crap weather, the live coverage and the price of THIRTY-SIX pounds for a ticket.

The real problem is that outside of the above, and Arsenal, few clubs if any will fancy their chances of winning the cup, or even reaching the final. Back in the seventies, around 20-30 teams (not just those in the top flight) would have genuine hopes of doing well, and perhaps even lifting the cup!

Until it starts to become a genuinely competitive tournament again, many fans will continue to lose interest in it.

(See also my article "A Tarnished Trophy" - available here)

[IDEA OR IKEA]

Not at Chelsea there wasn't, or Liverpool, or even Man Utd, despite the crap weather, the live coverage and the price of THIRTY-SIX pounds for a ticket.

The real problem is that outside of the above, and Arsenal, few clubs if any will fancy their chances of winning the cup, or even reaching the final. Back in the seventies, around 20-30 teams (not just those in the top flight) would have genuine hopes of doing well, and perhaps even lifting the cup!

Until it starts to become a genuinely competitive tournament again, many fans will continue to lose interest in it.

(See also my article "A Tarnished Trophy" - available here)

What about giving teams a head start based on the league position between the two (if in different leagues):-

For example every 15 positions = 1 goal advantage, so for example if Chelsea played us then there would be say a 2-0 headstart, and add a goal if playing away.

It would be crazy to see say Chelsea needing 4 just to tie with Macclesfield

[Manwell Pablo]

Ok, maybe the ' nobody cares ' was a bit too strong but;

I think if you gave the fans of Birmingham for example a choice between promotion to the Premiership, or winning the FA Cup, I think i'll know what they say. IMO

Before they were ironically relegated the next season I saw a load of Brum fans on the TV saying they wouldn't mind getting relegated if they won the FA cup, they said there was nothing special about the Premier league and that watching Theirry Henry rip you apart evey year gets boring.

[Brummie-FOX]

Before they were ironically relegated the next season I saw a load of Brum fans on the TV saying they wouldn't mind getting relegated if they won the FA cup, they said there was nothing special about the Premier league and that watching Theirry Henry rip you apart evey year gets boring.

If the bold bit is true, it shows you how pathetic they are. They obviously care. Im not saying I disagree with you but for them to say the Premiership is basically boring is ridiculous.

[breadandcheese]

Am I right in thinking the 3rd round FA Cup tie used to be included in a season ticket?

I can remember my dad having to buy my 4th round ticket at Filbert Street when we played Bristol Ciy and got beat back in 1991 (I think it was), after we got through the 3rd round.

Seems to me, if they want to get more bums on seats, include the third round ticket in the price of a season ticket.

[Manwell Pablo]

If the bold bit is true, it shows you how pathetic they are. They obviously care. Im not saying I disagree with you but for them to say the Premiership is basically boring is ridiculous.

Thought it was a odd comment I have to admit. But tis what they said, obviously they were only about 20 out of 29,000 that went every week when they were in the Prem, point is people take the FA cup seriously when it's not the weekend after Xmas/new year and they've reached the latter stages and actually start dreaming.