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Its a sad day - 'Norwich' glory hunters are back in town

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I know for a fact that a number of ''norwich fans'' have bought season tickets in the new south stand so that they are able to buy season tickets again next season if we get promoted and see their beloved Man U/Arsenal/Liverpool etc...

Am I the only one (as a new south stander - transferring from the barclay) who is angry and annoyed at this? Firstly, they stop real fans getting tickets/season tickets and secondly it will be no surprise if there is not much singing from certain sections of the stand (as they don''t even know our songs, unless of course we start singing ''United'' or ''Arssseeenal'' etc)

I''m not saying there is anything NCFC can do stop this happening (or is there?), but it makes me angry all the same.

Aren''t we and our stewards going to have fun next season if/when we are in the premiership.

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I know I shouldn''t be against people coming to watch the boys, but I HATE, with an absolute passion glory hunters!! They are not football fans in any way. In the past couple of years I''ve had to endure endless Binners coming out of the woodwork, claiming they have been I*****h fans for years. They are the same people who drop them like a stone as soon as they fall from grace.

A football club is for life, not for the Premiership

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If they want to pay 300 Sovs for one game or even two or three so be it, if that is the case the club should perhaps offer such people the opportunity to recoup a proportion of the Season Ticket price by making that ticket available on occasions they are not using it.

Yes I know such a scheme exists but there is little benefit I can see of the current scheme, a £5 voucher or somesuch, offer £10 cash back and sell spare seat for £20/£25 or whatever Prem seat will cost, no sale no refund, refunds at end of season, the admin costs should be recoverable fairly easily.

As a real supporter I shall be allowing the club to resell my season ticket for W Brom and Wigan games and do not expect any recompense. Hows that for generosity.

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Maybe the club could enforce a scheme whereby people must produce evidence of attending previous games. Ie, if you are a season ticket holder, you''d produce your old season ticket to give you priority for a new one. If, like me, you can only get to the odd game here and there, you keep hold of old ticket stubs to prove your worth. I know this can be a hassle, but if it stops a load of Gooners and ManYoo fans who just want to see Premiership football for a season then it''s got to be worth it, surely?

I know this system has been used at clubs around the country before - I don''t see why this couldn''t be used to give proper fans priority. If the club were to announce this scheme now, we''d surely get 25,000 committed Canaries at the end of the season with all their ticket stubs for the remaining games!

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Peter, you''re generosity is to be applauded.

I remember back in the 80s and 90s when you used to look around the River End and South Stand and see all manner of colours being worn by kids. It annoyed me then, as it does now, because they are denying regualr supporters the chance to give their all. I''ve just had to put a £50 deposit down on a season ticket for my mate who''s abroad. He''s 961st in line! Imagine how gutted he''ll be if I come back from games next season telling him how many non city supporters were in the ground!

Saying that, I don''t think there will be that many glory hunters who have actually got it together to get season tickets next year. If you see one though, point them out to all your mates and sing songs at them all the way through the game. Failing that, ask them to name our physio, or last season''s player of the year, or even thplayers on our bench. Bet that stumps ''em.

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If people are going to do this I cannot see what the club can do, they have limited new memberships and are offering only restricted memebership from May on new applications which is good. I think the main problem has been the mini seanson tickets which have been sold for the last few home games - I assume these people will have 1st refusal on next seasons renewal?
Personally, the club should just eject people who are sitting in home areas with their colours on as the true fan would be missing out.
I''ve attempted to get tickets (full member for 10yrs+) for West Ham but this has been sold out for some time (and demand would indicate that there''s going to be a number of Hammers fans amongst us on Saturday?) 23000 true City fans? I doubt it, just the usual jumping on that (premiership) bandwagon!
As for me living in Fife, I''ll be following the boys away from home!

PS. Looking for a ticket for the game on Saturday against West Ham - any spare would be most appreciated.

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I was going to post a thread today on exactly the same subject only I was going to call it ''Where were you when we were s**t''. I am sick to death of Born Again, New Age Norwich City fans who are appearing out of the woodwork. I absolutely HATE them. I was listening to one at the weekend saying how he had been to an AWAY MATCH.
The only consolation is City are getting some money out of them. If we go up and struggle in the premiership they will be gone like a bullet out of a gun. As you say AE theres not much we can do about it but it certainly gets under my skin.

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The way I see it is this - people have to start somewhere. If they begin as a glory hunter, but they get hooked or get the kids/wife/parents hooked then that''s more fans, more revenue, more recognition for us all.

However, if they''re coming purely to watch the other team ie Manyoo, Chelsea, Arsenal etc then they can bug**r off.

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I know what you mean, but it is a toughy in terms of the financial security of this football club. We all sing the classic "Where were you when you were s**t" to away fans but you have to ask the question to some of our own ''supporters'' who have suddenly made it impossible for hard core fans who aren''t season ticket holders to get in the ground. Now don''t get me wrong, increased interest in the football club is excellent and the club reaps the rewards of success, but if you look out over Carrow Road from the Barclay you can see a number of faces who weren''t so passionate when we were facing Bolton on a cold night in the pissing rain back in the 99/00 season when Russell got a brace (remember that?) in front of 12,000 people. If you buy a ticket you make a commitment to be a supporter and hence you should support that club, both vocally as well as financially

OTBC

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This really annoys me. Ive been a Supporter for over 25 years, but leaving in Wiltshire I can only get to see 1 or 2 games a year, and by the look of things I might not get to see any next year if all the seats are taken by glory hunters. But on the plus side, if we do go up at least Ill get to see them on TV more then once in a blue moon.
All you Norwich City livers are lucky buggers I tell ya

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Mook I dont think the type of people we are talking about are starting out. These are the folks who have not been seen for almost a decade except for a fleeting appearance at Cardiff.
You can have some fun with them though. As them questions. i.e ''What did you think of Nicky Howells goal last night?; ''If you compare the Northampton away performance against for example Coventry away, what would you say is the major difference. Can you put it down to just one player?'' or howabout ''Have you heard where Jamie Cureton is plying his trade these days?;
Perhaps we could come up with a list of questions for NGHs. Any more suggestions?

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You are right Kathy. Me, and a couple of other London Yellows were talking about the years we trekked in the rain to watch all the games we could get to (Watford, Gills, Palace, Wimbledon, Reading, Millwall) - now we can''t even get near the grounds for "fans" that were never previously bothered. Thankfully my Dad has a season ticket and cannot make all the matches, so I don''t have to fight for the home games when I can make it. That must be even worse...

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If we do go up (and importantly stay up) we will need these fans to expand the club, i think its pretty selfish and stupid to not want more people to claim to be city fans (provided they are loyal.) What would you rather? - 15,000 hardcore fans or 30,000 fans with it being a bit 50/50 between the two?

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Whilst I totally agree with the sentiments here, we have to be careful where we draw the line.

Supporters fall into many categories...

a) The home and away, die hard specialist who wears underpants in their teams colours, and knows who were the substitutes in every match as far back as 1923.
b) The rock solid fan who''s a regular at home and a splattering of aways and proud to wear their colours on their back.
c) The fan, who for whatever reason, can''t make many games, but still knows who all the players are and takes a keen interest in all things to do with their club.
d) Away supporters
e) Young and impressionable and ''supports'' whoever is top of the premier at the time.
f) Someone who''s heard about football and wonders what all the fuss is about but might just take an interest as the''ve heard that Posh Spice is in town.
g) A binner

I take it that most of us are a''s, b''s, or c''s - ok probably a''s - but if the increase in interest results in a few more c''s coming back into the fold, and also encourage those that are genuinely new to the game then that can only be welcolmed. They may not be around for ever but mostly they will support their team and be a healthy revenue stream.

If people will go as far as buying a season ticket in order to just get to see their one team then either a) they have more money than sense or b) see a).

When it comes to supporters buying tickets in home areas to see the away team then yes we don''t want them - but how to stop it - i''m not sure. Should they just be regarded as away supporters and ejected if no space available in the away section? Sounds a bit like ''ethnic cleansing'' of supporters to me. What would those of us who went to MK Dons in the home areas have thought of that approach? Total desegregation like rugby maybe an alternative. I don''t have an answer.

In terms of questions to have fun with ''glory hunters'' though....

What was the name of the place where Norwich City was founded?
Who scored the winning goal for Luton in the 1959 FA Cup semi final replay?
Who handled the ball that gave Sunderland their penalty in the 1985 Milk Cup final?
Who did we sign Steve Bruce from?
What was the registration number of the team bus when we played Aston Villa in the league cup final? (Hang on - I don''t know the answer to that one - must look it up just in case!)

The list is endless!!

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Well said Lurd. Hopefully, some of the comments here are coming from a minority of Norwich supporters because such drivel begs the need for people to get their heads out of their backsides. As die hard supporters who are there to support their team no matter what you should take some pride in your loyalty. But to then take your feet and stamp it on someone else who does not meet the same standard is silly. It is parochial, small-minded and will keep Norwich from becoming a bigger and successful club. Is that what you want? Do you think some of the folks who turn up in large crowds at other stadiums don''t occasionally have mixed loyalties? As clubs or any entity in the entertainment business become more successful they will draw a larger level of interest and attendance. It goes with the territory. Equally, if the level of success drops so does the attendance. There are probably 100,000 or more willing to pay good money at Old Trafford every week if they could get tickets and they are made up of all types of soccer fans, not necessarily just die-hard Manchested United supporters. If you want a private club go and join one ( golf, travel etc ) and you can associate only with people who are hopefully just like you. Norwich City is a football club for the public and Delia and company, while obviously expressing admiration for the loyal fans, will welcome all and sundry in the quest for greater success. We all should be grateful for everything that contributes to making Norwich City a greater club.
P.S. to Peter
Peter, you obviously have the makings of a generous person. I could not help but think that, if you wish to exercise real generosity, you could probably find an under-priviliged younster who bleeds football but could never dream of attending a Norwich City football game. Imagine what level of satisfaction that would give to you and the youngster.

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As much as i hate glory hunters. I think we, the hardcore Norwich fans must be cautious not to alienate potential new fans. If we are nice to these people and accept them they are more likely to keep coming back. If the club wants to grow new supproters are essential! If you slate these people they won''t want to come back. It makes no sense to do this. Yes, i would prefer a loyal ncfc fan to be sitting in the ground but hey, the more the merrier.
My dad is an example of someone who has taken more interest in ncfc of late, but who cares if he spends his money it goes to the same place. I hate to p**s anyone off but saying anyone who isn''t a hardcore norwich fan can''t come and watch is like saying you can''t let just anyone buy a toyota and that only existing toyota drivers are allowed. People seem to forget that football is a business that needs to make money. Money = success in modern football. (as long as it is spent wisely).

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If theres one thing which gets my blood boiling its this damn ''holy then thou attitude''. So what about anyone''s credendials?. I''ve been a regular City supporter since 1957 (Home & Away) have a sound knowledge of City''s history, better than most I would dare to say, but I don''t expect that to get me special treatment at the box office for Gawds sake!.

You need to grow up, you cannot have success without this kind of thing happening, so live with it, and shut it!.

Bailojnr sums it up rather well I thought.

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Lots of interesting feedback thanks..

I would like to pick up on a couple of the point from Lurd and Yankee Canary.

Whilst I appreciate what you have said, my original post was talking about a minority of people who support some of the top Premiership sides and who bought City season tickets so that they can watch their side next season.. I totally agree that we should encourage others to come along and support Norwich, but the people I''m talking about will never be ''loyal'' to Norwich in any way.

OTBC

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don''t have a go at all of us ''newies''
my wife and I only moved to norwich a couple of years ago and we''ve been regular supporters of our local team since!
we took out membership this season and went for the 8 match ticket, and have got full season tickets for next year regardless what happens.

(and the missus looks great in her canary thong!!!)



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I agree with the majority of later posts. Im a c. in the category cant make many games as I have to look after my 2 youngsters each Sat who are only just too young to go to games (I will look to recify that in due course). Ive been to just mid-week games and West Ham away and intending to go to Palace next month (I am arranging a babysitter not leaving the kids home alone!!). This DOES NOT make me any less passionate, ok I dont know what the number plate was on the bus to Villa but hey I was 5!! I do know and follow the team and results and I even dragged the kids through the mud on Sun to view the new stand I wont be sitting in!
Anyone new or existing that supports city fair play, doesnt matter about underpants. The original point of the thread i.e. those going to support away sides I agree its a toughy as we could be looking a double standards with us at Wimbledon as someone mentioned. In one respect it shows that NCFC is a place people feel they can go, many clubs you would not sit in with home fans believe me, but I take the sentiment. End of the day if the club continue ambitions to build and improve the capacity lets hope all the deserve and want to go get the chance (me and the kids when older included especially if I can convert my apathetic 5 year old daughter!)

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I''m sorry if i''m in the minority here but I don''t think it would be unfair for the club to impose some more catagories for when people want to get a ticket. At the end of the day, if you want to go to Ipswich away you need to have some (for the top catagory, 10) away ticket stubs. This means that the club obviously wants only hardcore fans to have the privilage (if it is to go to pooman road!) of seeing the away Derby fixture. Surley this is the same principle as we will have next season, demand exceding supply. When tickets go on sale for members and the general public, why couldn''t people who can produce X ticket stubs from this season get priority? I think that would be fairer than a free for all where any tom, dick or harry can get a seat

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Well said wiz. Money comes first in this game and with season tickets it''s money up front. how many of the die hards have a five year season ticket? I do but i started this year with an eight gamer! does this tar me with the same brush as a glory hunter. I''ve supported the boys for about 18 years now and had a season ticket in the past. I wonder how many others are like me? And just because i don''t go to many away games it doesn''t mean that i''m any less a supporter, it just means i have a life and can''t get to all of them!!!!. OTBC

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The very fact that you are contributing to this page means that you are not the people we are whinging about. Paranoia has set in. Read the threads more carefully.

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Sorry Kathy, I don''t agree. I read the threads very carefully before responding and there are judgements being made by people ( including you ) of others without, I am sure, of being aware of all the facts and background of the individuals that you supposedly are referring to. Indeed, this is how paranoia is fuelled. How did you reach your conclusions...did you take people through the Spanish Inquisition? Of course not...so why the quick rush to judgement on people? A lot of people have legitimate reasons why they can''t attend all games or even games during some seasons. As other posters have indicated, that does not make them less passionate about the club. The club will have a healthier environment if all are welcome, the more the better. Of course, it will mean there are times when tickets are harder to come by but better that than a hostile environment where some people ( hopefully, the minority ) start to question the freedom of access to all.

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So, "Anyone else in the South Stand etc etc", how many people do you know for a fact arew going to buy a Season just to see 1 match?
At times the threads on this board are surreal....is anyone seriously suggesting that a significant number of Season tickets are going to be bought by people who will pay £300+ just to watch one match when the Gooners, Mu or some other team come to the City....and this is before we have even been promoted????? Get real, please!!

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The team bus was Yellow and Green and the latest addition to Cullings Fleet the Evening News feature on the game (which I may still have) had a feature on the bus as well as the players. - I think that the registration number was something like "NCF 1C" it was certainly a personalised plate.

I am a new 8 game Season ticket holder who has "supported" city from my youth but only up until now have been unable to afford to become a regular supporter. I live in South Essex and work for a living so until now it simply was uneconomic for me to attend more than on an occaisional basis however for twenty odd years I have had the radio tuned to Radio Norfolk between 3 and 5 every Saturday simply to listen to the commentary.- I willingly subscribed to both share offers to the club but still did not buy a season ticket - so am I a glory hunter?.

Ultimately (mainly through debt) people generally have more disposable income at present and are choosing to spend it on leisure, As a business City have been very successful in engendering a family feel and a community spirit that sees demand for tickets exceed supply - sensibly the board are not jumping to conclusions and talking about further expansion yet but the scope to do so is available should the demand continue. It hurts the club more to have an unsatisfied demand rather than a surplus of seats, just consider the loss of income from say another 5,000 seats sold at £25 for 20 games (some would not sell out!) - £2.5m of income a season! After the World Cup there was an upsurge of interest in Football and City are fortunate that in that Period they too have been relatively successful and have reaped the reward. - Remember every game at the end of last season was also sold out so this lack of tickets is not a new phenomenon for the club.

The Club pulled off a masterstroke with the new Season tickets and perhaps underpriced them. I would believe that a large number were bought as Christmas presents and the fact that the offer coincided with us getting to the top just meant that demand exceeded supply.

My point that I am belatedly getting to is that how dare anyone accuse the new season ticket holders of being "glory hunters" - especially before any of them have taken up their seats in the new stand which may on Saturday be a sea of Yellow and Green - at this time nobody knows so stop being holier than thou and enjoy the game.

Just remember that in order to get a 2004 Season ticket at present you have to be a Season ticket holder, for the 8 game Season ticket (I think) you had to be a member and membership for 2003/4 was closed before the start of the Season and before that a deposit had to be paid to join the waiting list for 2003 Season tickets as renewals only were allowed. - If a "glory hunter" knew we would be in our current position at the end of last season to set the chain of events in motion to buy a seat and already knows where we will end up then find him quick because I need to know next weeks lottery numbers!

With regard to people in other teams colours - ignore it, the reality of life is that most "want" to support one of the big three or four but cannot get to the games - celebrate the fact that they are watching Norwich and hope that the quality of the Football and the passion of the fans means that they call in at the club shop on the way home and buy a proper outfit!

Well thats my spleen vented


OTBC

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I must admit this is an issue quite close to my heart as I will be one of those who might be alienated from the club due to such circumstances. Now I am happy that our gates have gone up consisently over the last few years due to some success on the pitch and am all for new supporters coming along and supporting the canaries. I think the issue comes about when someone like myself is losing out to someone who is only going to watch us because we are winning and it is fashionable. I have been a Norwich supporter since the age of 5 and have been going to games ever since. I moved away from the area as a child but in my later teenage years when I could get games on my own did so virtually every saturday home or away (been to around 40 grounds watching norwich).
As in life I went to university in Sheffield and did not see as much of the yellows as I would like but still went when I could but now as trainee teacher in Nottingham I don''t have the funds or the time to invest in a season ticket, but still want to go regularly (every 3 weeks to a month) is it right that I can''t to games because some Man yoo fan has jumped on the bandwagon I think not, this is where my resentement comes from those who don''t see the problem here.
The club cannot be blamed for the current situation and have always had quite good ticketing policies. Yet i reserve the right to have a moan about not been able to get to games as I have been and always will be a big Norwich fan (premiership or non-league). If your ask me do I think better than the these newly found supporters? yes I bloody do and you can criticise me all you like.

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FAO Slap

yours is the story we all want to hear mate, since becoming a norwich fan many years ago, thanks to my dad taking me; i have heard this old chestnut sssoooo many times

how can anyone say who should or shouldn''t go to matches. The box office hardly cares as long as you have the money they will sell you a ticket

i do have a season ticket at present as i live in norwich, but for most of my supporting life i haven''t lived in norfolk or suffolk, so financially and practically it was not worth buying one. Add to this several lean years when the kids were growing up.... does this make me a less passionate fan because i cannot say i haven''t had a season ticket for the past 50 years. No

Good luck to you salp and your partner. We need hundreds more like you. Why shouldn''t you move to the area and fall in love with the football team and the city. After all Darren Huckerby did lol

Of course there are always going to be hard luck stories, i know of several people who cannot always get tickets for games for one reason or another - we are doing well at the moment, and it is great to see a full ground.

I bought an 8 match ticket for a mate for christmas, he lives 200 miles away and so every game at Carrow Road is an away game for him, but he is nowcommittted to turning up every other week - but he hasn''t had a season ticket for years - does this make him any less of a fan than someone who lives in the city and goes home and away every week, of course not, we all have families and work commitments and family circumstances; not to mention the cost involved. Come on, we hardly have anything to moan about at the moment, let''s not start turning on each other.

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