[Albion] ESU and WSU open for Coventry game

Wrong-Direction said:

Why would anyone want to sit in east upper anyway? I had to move after a year for fear of disturbing the dead bodies up there..

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Wrong-Direction said:

Why would anyone want to sit in east upper anyway? I had to move after a year for fear of disturbing the dead bodies up there..

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Wrong-Direction said:

Why would anyone want to sit in east upper anyway? I had to move after a year for fear of disturbing the dead bodies up there..

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Moshe Gariani said:

Indeed it is... e-mail from Paul Barber:

"Dear [Moshe]

Thank you for your email.

The answer to your question is very simple: economics.

We have cut ticket prices and included travel, while retaining just 45% of revenues. We are also playing a League 2 team who we have played at the Amex previously.

We failed to get close to breaking 20,000 for a 3rd Round game against our biggest Premier League rivals having opened the entire stadium.

And, yes, we can think of lots of reasons why the crowd was much lower than hoped for this this game. It was however still a one-off cup match against our biggest rivals!

Fortunately, a live TV fee and ticket prices much higher than those being charged for Coventry’s visit, ensured that the club didn’t make an embarrassing loss on this game.

So, in short it makes no sense for us to open all of the stadium - a hugely costly exercise when only 45% of revenues are retained by our club and ticket prices have been set low.

As we have said from the day tickets went on sale for Coventry - over a week ago - upper tiers will be open subject to sales. We’d be delighted to open at least one.

Up to yesterday, we still had many lower tier tickets left. Once they are all but sold, we will look to open the East Upper tier. Sales will determine whether we open West Upper.

Also, I’m afraid it is absolute nonsense to suggest the club hasn’t promoted the game - there were 6 separate references in Saturday’s home match programme alone!

Added to website coverage, social media coverage, national and local media reports, as well emails to our database, I can assure you the game has been well promoted.

Also, the FA Cup 5R is a “fixture weekend” for Premier League clubs - meaning no other games are prior scheduled - so the majority of fans look out for a game on this weekend.

Far from being “mean spirited”, all supporters have had the opportunity to buy tickets in 3 different home areas for over a week. We don’t guarantee to open all areas.

However, to further assist and accelerate sales and open more areas of the stadium sooner, season ticket holders could also buy 4 tickets each from day 1!

Finally, it doesn’t make any sense to make untruthful statements about “overwhelming demand” - there hasn’t been. Entirely as expected, sales have been slow and steady.

Let’s hope we can get an upper tier open this weekend - and fill it. It is after all a great opportunity for us to reach an FA Cup quarter final for the first time since 1985!

Best wishes, Paul"

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I remember the good times said:

Anyone thought about how much money is actually involved here.
300 x £18 = £540 and that's at top wack. Average would be a lot less.
The club are really waiting for £540 in the till?

But then there are the other costs to open Upper East.
(these figures are rough). 50 staff at £40 = £2000
Sales at average £12 at 3000 seats £36000
Anyone see a profit there? I do. Even if they open it block by block and one entrance and one kiosk, still a profit.

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pastafarian said:

Is that you Diane?

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I remember the good times said:

Anyone thought about how much money is actually involved here.
300 x £18 = £540

Click to expand...

I remember the good times said:

Anyone thought about how much money is actually involved here.
300 x £18 = £540 and that's at top wack. Average would be a lot less.
The club are really waiting for £540 in the till?

But then there are the other costs to open Upper East.
(these figures are rough). 50 staff at £40 = £2000
Sales at average £12 at 3000 seats £36000
Anyone see a profit there? I do. Even if they open it block by block and one entrance and one kiosk, still a profit.

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Rogero said:

Your maths are not very good £5400 not £540.

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kingcole said:

310 left.

ESU on sale at 0948 tomorrow....... (prediction)

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Sorrel said:

There really isn't much of a demand from Brighton fans. If they do open the ESU I suspect it won't get anything like sold out.

In the old days they'd have this match as pay on the day/gate, but I guess that sort of thing doesn't happen anymore.

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Sorrel said:

There really isn't much of a demand from Brighton fans. If they do open the ESU I suspect it won't get anything like sold out.

In the old days they'd have this match as pay on the day/gate, but I guess that sort of thing doesn't happen anymore.

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*Gullsworth* said:

These will surely go at some point tomorrow? Then they will open the East on Saturday. They will sell about 200 a day until kick off. There will be no need to open the Upper West.*

* You have not been charged for this information.

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