I’ve always felt privileged to hold a season ticket. It’s tricky to pin down the right term these days - we no longer get a physical ticket. “Season card” gained traction when plastic cards were used, but now, in our digital age, we receive nothing tangible, which I find a pity. As someone who keeps a shoebox of old season ticket books and frames concert tickets, entering a match or gig with a barcode on my phone leaves me cold.
As a teenager, buying a season ticket never crossed my mind. I’d rock up to Roker Park, queue at the turnstile, and pay the man behind the counter. Occasionally, I’d arrive to find a sell-out and face a wasted journey - most notably the last home game of 1979-80 against West Ham, when we clinched promotion with a 2 - 0 victory, thanks to goals from Kevin Arnott and “Little” Stan Cummins, in front of 47,000 fans. No social media existed to warn me not to bother! Looking at the record books, our average gate that season was around 24,000. “Where did this lot spring from?” I must have thought. More on that later.
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Even as a young professional in education, I couldn’t afford a season ticket. It wasn’t until my first marriage - spoiler alert - that my ex gifted me one on our wedding day. I was about to give my speech at the top table when she handed me a box. I was nearly speechless. First, I didn’t know wedding gifts for each other were a thing - are they? Maybe that’s why it went wrong! Second, my words to the hundred-odd guests were, “But we’re at home to Derby today!” It was the opening day of the 1991-92 season. Cue laughter.
I kept my season card books proudly until I moved south for a career promotion - not the club’s - in 2003. Honestly, I’d have hesitated if the club were thriving, but that 19-point season was awful. After the final whistle, I announced to those around me, “Well, folks, that’s me moving south after that!”
With my career advancing and living over 250 miles away, I gave up my season ticket until taking early retirement ten years ago. My current - and forever - wife urged me to renew it - she’s a keeper! She wasn’t retiring soon, so she knew I’d have time. I’d attended several games each season, but it wasn’t a major commitment. I’ve proudly held a season ticket again since 2016. Yes, we got relegated! On the bright side, season ticket prices became affordable, especially for youngsters, so my stepson has had one for seven years. He’s known mostly failure and misery - until recently. I’m thrilled for him and other under-18s who can’t fully recall top-flight football.
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My timeline shows that sometimes a season ticket is feasible; other times, budgets, work, or family commitments get in the way. I’ve met dedicated fans through Roker Report, but not all are season ticket holders - some live in Gloucester, Sheffield, or Australia! I’ve always felt privileged to hold one, so I was disappointed to see a photo of queues outside the ticket office recently, captioned, “Where have you lot been?” That’s unfair, blinkered, and wrong. Our fans are fantastic, spread worldwide, and if circumstances allowed, we’d have crowds of over 100,000 every home game.
Last week, on the excellent _Ha’way the Podcast_ - what do you mean you haven’t subscribed yet? - Gav mentioned a season ticket sales tracker. I logged on and now check daily to watch available seats dwindle - one needs close-season distractions! After an initial surge, sales slowed until the fixture list was announced, sparking another rush. I’m convinced that new kit launches or a signing announcement would clear the remaining seats. By the time you read this, they’re likely sold out.
A funny true story about season tickets to close, from a Newcastle season ticket holder friend. He’s had a sought-after plush members’ card for years and noticed the seat in front of him was vacant on the opening day a few seasons ago. It stayed empty until the new year. Intrigued, he tapped the occupant on the shoulder and asked why he’d only just taken the seat. The man sheepishly admitted his wife had bought it as a Christmas gift in August but waited until Christmas to give it to him! At least I only missed the Derby County match!