Mascots now charged (6 Viewers)

[Johnnythespider]

Not one to moan too much but I was charged 15 quid to replace my piece of plastic season ticket on Saturday. Pretty sure my toddler daughter has launched it whilst thinking going throwing my wallet is the most fun she has ever had. Coming straight out of her pocket money.

My lad managed to pick up last season's card on Saturday, cost a fiver for a paper ticket.

 

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[Grendel]

Ask Kieran for a loan

he’s one of the mascots

 

[shmmeee]

It really is a joke when clubs are scratting around for a couple of quid here and there off fans while players gets tens of thousands a week.

 

[Esoterica]

It really is a joke when clubs are scratting around for a couple of quid here and there off fans while players gets tens of thousands a week.

125 quid really is a lot of money too, seems very shortsighted.

The club do listen though. I wrote to them to say I wanted to contribute as a player sponsor but couldn't afford the full kit sponsorship. We negotiated a bit based on my budget and, in the end, this season I'm sponsoring the holes that Hamer cuts in the back of his socks.

 

[MusicDating]

Agree completely

I wouldnt go as much if it wasnt for the kids, the joy on their face when we score, a player waves at them, a chorus of a song reverberating round the stadium makes it worth it for me.

If i was trudging up alone or with a few mates i dont get the same excitement i used to when i was in my 20s.

Both of my have JSB ST's and that side of being a JSB is very worthwhile, but i cant help but feel that this decision, along with the fact you have to buy a full kit to even be considered takes the piss

Along with the JSB party seemingly gone down the swanny, and no more community day kids for a quid thing, it just feels like the club seemingly feel they've regained the lost young support from the ground shares and L2 plummet and think they dont have to do anything now

Yup, my boy still talks about his mascot day (even though we lost at home in L2).

No Christmas party this year, but an 'event' later in the year -

NEWS: JSB Party to take place later in the 2022/23 season

Coventry City’s Junior Sky Blues event for the 2022/23 campaign will take place later in the season.

www.ccfc.co.uk

Added to the list of excuses for stuff this season...

'Circumstances outside of our control' (that we could have mitigated if we'd thought about it...)

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

Can’t believe they’re charging for it, it should be free.

To be fair, you would look great walking out hand in hand with Ben Wilson.

 

[Terry Gibson's perm]

I tried to do it for my lad tonight but it kept saying that I did have it available to purchase and then noticed on his online profile it says full price ticket where I thought it would have said jsb.

Saved us £125 we couldn’t really afford and he only has a shirt this season. Still best to meet the players after the game is t costs nothing and they are fantastic with the kids and big kids as well

 

[Johhny Blue]

125 quid really is a lot of money too, seems very shortsighted.

The club do listen though. I wrote to them to say I wanted to contribute as a player sponsor but couldn't afford the full kit sponsorship. We negotiated a bit based on my budget and, in the end, this season I'm sponsoring the holes that Hamer cuts in the back of his socks.

Both or A ?

 

[Mild-Mannered Janitor]

Prem clubs charge and normally include a free kit etc too, but we never have before.

We were fortunate enough that my daughter was a mascot and tbh one of the best days of her (and my) life, even though we lost to Scunthorpe. She's an absolute city nut who wants nothing but ccfc stuff all the time (now 15) has countdowns to away games, knows more stats than I ever could, basically lives for the club. If a young supporter misses out on that because of finances it's a huge shame and a massive loss to the club.

I don't know if @Mild-Mannered Janitor still posts, but I'd be more than happy to use left over season ticket funding on this or contribute to a new JSB fund. Kids are the lifeblood and I know if it wasn't for my daughter I'd probably miss more games and Dad had basically had enough and would have given up when we went to Blues but continues to go still now.

Still post, read lots, don’t always say a lot. My son was an away one at QPR many moons ago when it was free on the basis they had a full kit.
we lost (as we do at QPR), the team and most fans were late as a smash near the end of the motorway, fans abused David Burrow’s and he reacted, he still enjoyed it but you didn’t get much of an experience at an away game.

if we can help, would consider, I don’t agree with the package charging as a lot doing this have ST’s and a discounted set to buy again so you are not getting anything for your money that gets dressed up by the club as you’re getting valuable tickets blah blah blah. They think it’s clever marketing and their is an audience that have or sadly will find/extend themselves to do this regardless of its pointless value for their children and I get that.

That said, when I set up the fund, I wanted families to try and have access to multiple family days and moments, some would be miserable (yeovil) and others would be incredible (so many these last few years) and the money goes a long way to the JSB ST’s and their families rather than something for just an hour or so, don’t get me wrong, that hours good but I can get 5 junior ST’s for families for the money.
I think more will need help come March/April time next year and the last couple of years the fund has spent more than we raised but still have a starting pot to help again.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Keep reading the thread title and wondering what crime the mascots have committed

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Still post, read lots, don’t always say a lot. My son was an away one at QPR many moons ago when it was free on the basis they had a full kit.
we lost (as we do at QPR), the team and most fans were late as a smash near the end of the motorway, fans abused David Burrow’s and he reacted, he still enjoyed it but you didn’t get much of an experience at an away game.

if we can help, would consider, I don’t agree with the package charging as a lot doing this have ST’s and a discounted set to buy again so you are not getting anything for your money that gets dressed up by the club as you’re getting valuable tickets blah blah blah. They think it’s clever marketing and their is an audience that have or sadly will find/extend themselves to do this regardless of its pointless value for their children and I get that.

That said, when I set up the fund, I wanted families to try and have access to multiple family days and moments, some would be miserable (yeovil) and others would be incredible (so many these last few years) and the money goes a long way to the JSB ST’s and their families rather than something for just an hour or so, don’t get me wrong, that hours good but I can get 5 junior ST’s for families for the money.
I think more will need help come March/April time next year and the last couple of years the fund has spent more than we raised but still have a starting pot to help again.

I’ve asked mark if it’s open to a rethink. I have to say I don’t like it but I also have to say people want our commercial team to be more professional and it obviously costs money to employ someone to do this work and I know other teams charge a lot more.

 

[Londonccfcfan]

My lad was mascot in league one relegation season game vs Oxford we won 2-1. Ben Stevenson screamer. (I told him in the changing room hes gonna score today).

It was free on a first come first served basis, must say i think i would pay £100 for it especially now you can pick and choose which game.

We was literally in awe of the whole experience, lad couldnt stop smiling, and hechose to walk
Out with Ruben Lameiras in front of a crowd of about 8k....(must be so different now) It really was priceless memories as they trained on the pitch etc etc.

Im 50/50 if £125 is a bit steep. I think supply and demand will dictate the price.

 

[Skyblue_LDN]

One of those things, I’d be happy to donate money for a few less fortunate families kids to do it, never went myself as a kid as I was too shy but imagine it would make someone’s day. Wanted to pay for my nephew to do it but he’s a Chelsea fan

 

[skybluelee]

My daughters did it in 2015 back when it was free and the experience will live with them (and me) forever. My youngest is doing it again for the Norwich game. We're not ST holders so with the complimentary tickets included it doesn't work out hugely expensive for what is an incredible experience compared with what we'd have paid for standard match tickets.

Apparently we're the cheapest in the Championship so I think that's fair enough.

 

[Mild-Mannered Janitor]

I’ve asked mark if it’s open to a rethink. I have to say I don’t like it but I also have to say people want our commercial team to be more professional and it obviously costs money to employ someone to do this work and I know other teams charge a lot more.

I agree Pete, we lacked a good commercial team for years and for me, it’s a few things.
1. who is booking this? If ST’s then the price might be right but the package wrong, don’t give tickets to people that have tickets but when so much is outsourced like the retail, it makes no sense to give them a voucher for that so the free thing to give away is seats, understand commercially but rubbish for those buying.
2. Supply and demand, again, it’s selling so cannot be wrong and with only circa 25 opportunities, it’s not for everyone so why not make it ultra premium with lunch etc and charge even more (although I am against that but not for economic reasons)
3. Clubs have to make money, I get that but at £125 x4-6 per game is it x a season, it’s pence, if they wanted to smarten this up, ask a company to Sponsor this for children who would really benefit from it, link it to Zoe’s place or many of the childrens charities available and be a part of a community exactly as the club should be. Can be commercial and socially responsible and change individuals lives along the way.

I know every fan has lots of ideas and just like my points of view, to others they could be complete rubbish but for the commercial team and other elements of the club not to have some form of regular questionnaire to its paying clients is madness, we all want a winning team but there are many other factors that will attract and retain us over the years, be it pop and crisps, although that attraction was more about meeting the players for most.

The club hardly fund the family zone and in a world that sees players earning 1/2m a year, what’s £10k here or there for those sort of activities or local involvement in the community.

sorry, didnt mean to get on soap box but I believe the club talks about being part of the city when it wants to, but isn’t living and breathing those values as it should be every day.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I agree Pete, we lacked a good commercial team for years and for me, it’s a few things.
1. who is booking this? If ST’s then the price might be right but the package wrong, don’t give tickets to people that have tickets but when so much is outsourced like the retail, it makes no sense to give them a voucher for that so the free thing to give away is seats, understand commercially but rubbish for those buying.
2. Supply and demand, again, it’s selling so cannot be wrong and with only circa 25 opportunities, it’s not for everyone so why not make it ultra premium with lunch etc and charge even more (although I am against that but not for economic reasons)
3. Clubs have to make money, I get that but at £125 x4-6 per game is it x a season, it’s pence, if they wanted to smarten this up, ask a company to Sponsor this for children who would really benefit from it, link it to Zoe’s place or many of the childrens charities available and be a part of a community exactly as the club should be. Can be commercial and socially responsible and change individuals lives along the way.

I know every fan has lots of ideas and just like my points of view, to others they could be complete rubbish but for the commercial team and other elements of the club to have some form of regular questionnaire to its paying clients is madness, we all want a winning team but there are many other factors that will attract and retain us over the years, be it pop and crisps, although that attraction was more about meeting the players for most.

The club hardly fund the family zone and in a world that sees players earning 1/2m a year, what’s £10k here or there for those sort of activities or local involvement in the community.

sorry, didnt mean to get on soap box but I believe the club talks about being part of the city when it wants to, but isn’t living and breathing those values as it should be every day.

Are you happy to come on a zoom call with mark to talk about this??

 

[Mild-Mannered Janitor]

Pete, more than happy to do that, like I said though, I’m just one voice and my ideas could be alien or offensive to others and I’m not an expert in running the commercials of a club.
I just try to put my shoes in what’s it’s like to be someone starting their journey as a fan, someone with little money, someone who has lots, someone who cannot get to an out of town ground easily and so on
These guys are paid in the role and will be more skilled at it than me, it may be that this stuff has been tried and no company wants to sponsor this. More likely is that they are under resourced and don’t have the time/capacity for this relative to all the other commercial things they have to deal with.
Happy to join though to see how we can help more and encourage greater engagement with the fan base.

and I should add that generally, these last few years, they have been greater than the previous 15-20 years so they are doing a lot of things really well

 

[Saddlebrains]

Pete, more than happy to do that, like I said though, I’m just one voice and my ideas could be alien or offensive to others and I’m not an expert in running the commercials of a club.
I just try to put my shoes in what’s it’s like to be someone starting their journey as a fan, someone with little money, someone who has lots, someone who cannot get to an out of town ground easily and so on
These guys are paid in the role and will be more skilled at it than me, it may be that this stuff has been tried and no company wants to sponsor this. More likely is that they are under resourced and don’t have the time/capacity for this relative to all the other commercial things they have to deal with.
Happy to join though to see how we can help more and encourage greater engagement with the fan base.

and I should add that generally, these last few years, they have been greater than the previous 15-20 years so they are doing a lot of things really well

Think what youve said has been dead on tbf

I was lucky enough to be a recipient from the fund, and this is what got my kids into it. Luckily enough last few seasons ive been able to purchase ST's and JSB's for the 3 of us, but charging for the mascot experience is wrong in my opinion

ST for me £400 (JSB ST free with adult ticket)
2 x JSB £50
2 x full kits £170


£620 is a lot of money in this day and age and to fork out an extra £250, when actually due to the ST's we don't need any 'complimentary tickets' to the game i just feel is not reading the room very well

I'm sure some people spend more and some less due to their means, which of course is fine, we all support the club financially as much as we can, but there has to be something that they cant make a quick buck out of, and surely giving children the chance to meet their hero's, grace the turf of of our home and make memories that last forever is one of them things that shouldn't be chargeable

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

I’ve asked mark if it’s open to a rethink. I have to say I don’t like it but I also have to say people want our commercial team to be more professional and it obviously costs money to employ someone to do this work and I know other teams charge a lot more.

If you do talk about it again can you also mention about the need to have the current kit. and whether this could be included as part of the package and if they could get them signed by the team afterwards as a memento. It seems unfair that some kids couldn't do it because they don't have the kit and would most likely exclude those from poorer households.

I know a number of the kids involved may well already have had kits bought for them, just as they may well already have ST's so the tickets provided as part of the package aren't necessarily that useful.

As you say, other teams charge more but it just feels like £125 is a huge amount of money. Let's say the package included a kids ticket, an adult ticket and a kit for the kid it'd still come under £100 full price.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

If you do talk about it again can you also mention about the need to have the current kit. and whether this could be included as part of the package and if they could get them signed by the team afterwards as a memento. It seems unfair that some kids couldn't do it because they don't have the kit and would most likely exclude those from poorer households.

I know a number of the kids involved may well already have had kits bought for them, just as they may well already have ST's so the tickets provided as part of the package aren't necessarily that useful.

As you say, other teams charge more but it just feels like £125 is a huge amount of money. Let's say the package included a kids ticket, an adult ticket and a kit for the kid it'd still come under £100 full price.

I’m sure mark and ccfc wouldn’t mind too much If people turned up without the new kit

 

[Travs]

I think £125 is reasonable "in this day and age".

The necessity to provide your own full kit is too harsh in my opinion.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I think £125 is reasonable "in this day and age".

The necessity to provide your own full kit is too harsh in my opinion.

im not sure it’s a necessity

 

[Terry Gibson's perm]

What if you can’t get the kit as there seems to be a shortage of it floating about. I tried to get it for my lad but his ticket isn’t marked up as a jsb although he gets all the jsb stuff.

If anybody could use a family ticket for £30 2 adults 2 kids but it says you can buy additional kids ticket for a pound send me a message and I can post it to you as we won’t use it.

 

[fernandopartridge]

I think £125 is reasonable "in this day and age".

The necessity to provide your own full kit is too harsh in my opinion.

What non-absorbed cost is £125 reasonably covering?

 

[Travs]

What non-absorbed cost is £125 reasonably covering?

No idea.

Just looking at it as a clean pair of eyes, i think £125 is a reasonable cost to be a mascot at a championship club.

Of course, yes the fact that it has mysteriously jumped up from being free, is somewhat difficult to swallow.

 

[Saddlebrains]

im not sure it’s a necessity

It is Pete, was always the one stipulation when the mascot experience was free also

 

[Londonccfcfan]

It is Pete, was always the one stipulation when the mascot experience was free also

This is the thing full kit is very expensive. Especially when you consider its only going to fit you for 6 months to year max at that age.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

It is Pete, was always the one stipulation when the mascot experience was free also

We just turned up without it and no one batted an eye lid but that’s me a devil may care rule breaker!! Lol

 

[Alex1987]

with the supply and demand I think the deal is actually decent value (sorry!).

we often slate the club for being unsavvy with making money, but when they are they also get slated it seems!

 

[olderskyblue]

Just me or is £125 steep for something thats always been free as a JSB?

Had the kids badgering me for ages about it since we returned last season, lads just seen it, rings me, had to break his heart and say i cant afford £250. Especially 6 days before xmas

I dunno but i dont feel its right Especially in this current climate.

Im sure people will tell me why im a twat for thinking that though

People don’t think you’re a twat for that.

 

[scottccfc]

When my lad done it at St Andrews we got him the shirt but the shorts and socks were.just sky blue adidas ones

 

[MTK]

I think it should be free for JSBs and as someone who was one a long time ago, it upsets me that children from poorer families can't enjoy these experiences. What also worries me is whether starting to charge for this is a sign of things to come. More or higher charges for other things too. I think there may be a few people making difficult decisions about season tickets next year

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I think it should be free for JSBs and as someone who was one a long time ago, it upsets me that children from poorer families can't enjoy these experiences. What also worries me is whether starting to charge for this is a sign of things to come. More or higher charges for other things too. I think there may be a few people making difficult decisions about season tickets next year

Why mild mannered janitors work is so powerful and blessed

 

[GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee]

Not one to moan too much but I was charged 15 quid to replace my piece of plastic season ticket on Saturday. Pretty sure my toddler daughter has launched it whilst thinking going throwing my wallet is the most fun she has ever had. Coming straight out of her pocket money.

I’d like to publicly apologise for accusing my Angel of a daughter for doing such a thing. It turns out that I deemed my top pocket of my light winter jacket was a suitable place for my season ticket. Merry Christmas CCFC. I hope you enjoyed my £15


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WestEndAgro]

Just a thought, but couldn't a different player pay for each game, perhaps limit it to two mascots, and give them some genuine time before and after the game. Mascots picked at random from JSB'S.