Blimey, that's some gesture. They are using the extra income from Sky to directly pay it back to the loyal fans. Well played Stoke. http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/club-announce-free-away-travel-930449.aspx
Cortese now lying down in a darkened room with a wet flannel on his forehead. Free is a four letter word.
I'd also need a free season ticket if Stoke were my local club. I couldn't stand that dross week in, week out.
Agreed, a few clubs like WBA do it for one game a season. When you see how much money a club like Saints is spending on the pre-season tour renting facilities, planes etc etc (Would not be surprised if total cost was between £50k-£100k)... it really can't be too much of a hit to the club's coffers to have free (or cheap) coach travel now and again to thank the fans who go to most away games? Not a direct go at Saints, but the majority of clubs.
Things is, once you start, when do you stop..? After one season, two, three..? In the end it comes back to bite you because fans get used to it and expect it. Then, when you take it away because you can no longer afford it, you get disgruntled fans. Admirable gesture which could backfire on them.
Think they are probably grateful for what they get now instead of being concerned about what might happen in the future.
Not saying it's not a nice gesture, but is a benefit given to only a small group of fans...those that go to away matches. Saints don't have a problem shifting their away tickets, so why bother.
Wouldn't be surprised if our away support numbers dropped a little this season. Once some fans have ticked off grounds they've been too, they may feel less inclined to go back to them. Of course will also depend on how we are doing in the league.
I pretty sure some clubs do it for long, Tuesday night trips, or if a match has been postponed. Can't tell you which clubs, but it makes sense.
Not considerably as we can't get considerably more tickets. One of the bad things about being in the Prem.
