northernspirit
Well-Known Member
Surely this is a breach of the licence contract, if this is the commitment of Jabba the hut he can f**k off. If this shit continues id rather see GCU axed and Canberra given the licence.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/115523,please-explain-mr-palmer.aspx
EXCLUSIVE: FFA chiefs have demanded answers from Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer after the club made controversial ticketing changes for home games.
United today confirmed they would be capping crowds at 5,000 per game in a bid to save money. Three-quarters of the stadium will now be out of bounds meaning empty seats all round on TV coverage.
But the move has also eliminated all the cheaper seats available at the ground with prices now starting at a hefty $42 for the cheapest adult seat, at a time when other clubs are cutting prices.
Additionally the crowd cap will mean public transport will no longer be included in the ticket price, sending the cost of a matchday soaring, especially for Brisbane-based fans.
Members will now also no longer be able to sit in their original seat and are to be moved to the grandstand, wiping out any home end support.
Now the FFA have accused Gold Coast of lying to them in their original bid which won them the franchise.
"The FFA is reviewing its options in response to what the club is doing in regard to capping ticket sales," FFA football operations supremo Archie Fraser told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"We have written to the club this afternoon and pointed out that what it has proposed does not fit into the parameters of their original ticketing program that was submitted to the FFA.
"Capping ticket sales is not in the best interests of the club, the Hyundai A-League, football or the people of the Gold Coast.
"The FFA wants to work constructively with the club through this issue for the best outcome for all."
Gold Coast United did not respond to enquiries about the new arrangements, but furious fans are said to close to boycotting the next home gaime this weekend against North Queensland Fury.
Gold Coast United Supporters Club secretary Terry Hands said there were a range of problems now facing the club.
"Obviously there is the issue of ticket prices, there is the stadium agreement situation, both factors, but I think it is the issue of community engagement that is the number one issue when you look at the forums and the like," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"The club has to get out there and make itself known. I speak to a lot of people and believe me, there are still those unaware of Gold Coast United.
"The message has got to start getting through. People know about the Titans, they know about an AFL team which has yet to start here but not enough people are identifying with Gold Coast United."
He added:"Hopefully the players will respond to last week by putting in a performance and getting the result but what does it do for them to see so many empty seats?
"I think there are a lot of people taking great delight in the situation at the moment but a lot of those people also recognise the importance for clubs to succeed in the A-League, for the good of the league itself."
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/115523,please-explain-mr-palmer.aspx
EXCLUSIVE: FFA chiefs have demanded answers from Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer after the club made controversial ticketing changes for home games.
United today confirmed they would be capping crowds at 5,000 per game in a bid to save money. Three-quarters of the stadium will now be out of bounds meaning empty seats all round on TV coverage.
But the move has also eliminated all the cheaper seats available at the ground with prices now starting at a hefty $42 for the cheapest adult seat, at a time when other clubs are cutting prices.
Additionally the crowd cap will mean public transport will no longer be included in the ticket price, sending the cost of a matchday soaring, especially for Brisbane-based fans.
Members will now also no longer be able to sit in their original seat and are to be moved to the grandstand, wiping out any home end support.
Now the FFA have accused Gold Coast of lying to them in their original bid which won them the franchise.
"The FFA is reviewing its options in response to what the club is doing in regard to capping ticket sales," FFA football operations supremo Archie Fraser told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"We have written to the club this afternoon and pointed out that what it has proposed does not fit into the parameters of their original ticketing program that was submitted to the FFA.
"Capping ticket sales is not in the best interests of the club, the Hyundai A-League, football or the people of the Gold Coast.
"The FFA wants to work constructively with the club through this issue for the best outcome for all."
Gold Coast United did not respond to enquiries about the new arrangements, but furious fans are said to close to boycotting the next home gaime this weekend against North Queensland Fury.
Gold Coast United Supporters Club secretary Terry Hands said there were a range of problems now facing the club.
"Obviously there is the issue of ticket prices, there is the stadium agreement situation, both factors, but I think it is the issue of community engagement that is the number one issue when you look at the forums and the like," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"The club has to get out there and make itself known. I speak to a lot of people and believe me, there are still those unaware of Gold Coast United.
"The message has got to start getting through. People know about the Titans, they know about an AFL team which has yet to start here but not enough people are identifying with Gold Coast United."
He added:"Hopefully the players will respond to last week by putting in a performance and getting the result but what does it do for them to see so many empty seats?
"I think there are a lot of people taking great delight in the situation at the moment but a lot of those people also recognise the importance for clubs to succeed in the A-League, for the good of the league itself."