Ĥibs First night

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Originally Posted by DH1875

I've changed my mind and all for loyalty points now IF they did it right. No points for hearts and a drop off of points every 3 or 5 years so they don't become closed shops either.

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I said earlier in the thread that 2 years has been the standard in other schemes I have been in in the past. It's one that always gets some people upset though because they don't understand what is being said and think they will lose all their points and are going to have to start from scratch again which obviously isn't the case. It's about looking after those who attend most often at any given point in time and not allowing someone who attended loads 5 years ago to have a legacy entitlement even if they stop attending in the present. If you attended 5 years ago and still attend now then you stay at the top of the list. Simple really.

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Originally Posted by Pretty Boy

It's not uncommon in many loyalty schemes for no points to be awarded for games in which demand massively outstrips supply as it's seen as a 'double reward'. You both get a ticket and points to make sure you get a ticket for the next game as well. So no points for a cup final at Hampden where we could sell our allocation twice over but points for attending v Dundee 2 days before Christmas when plenty might choose not to. It still ultimately rewards those who travel most often.

I've also said before that I'm not sure how a loyalty scheme would be administered now with so many clubs selling away tickets direct, I genuinely have no idea how the handful of other clubs in Scotland that have/need loyalty schemes do it. I used Ayr earlier this season as an example of the whole system falling down but I've also definitely bought tickets from St Johnstone, Motherwell and Kilmarnock direct this season, there may well have been others too. If Hibs don't sell the tickets then they don't automatically know who has bought them which in turn makes allocating points difficult. There are really 2 options, no points for those games or ask fans to send proof of purchase. The first option potentially leads to 25-30% or maybe even more of league and cup games gaining no one any points while the latter adds a whole other level of administration and cost that the club can probably do without. I'm not sure if it would be possible to say we will deal with all ticket sales again but that also incurs additional costs and time. I'm sure there must be a reason so many clubs have switched to the current way of doing things.

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The Hampden games I'm talking about were actually semi finals - think it was Falkirk 4-3 game when Hibs didn't sell out the allocation. Decent enough support but zero loyalty points or incentives for going - get to the final then some folk still need to scramble for tickets etc.

I agree about away tickets -several away games when we had loyalty points didn't get any points added - hard to monitor and this is why I think Hibs stopped doing it as so many variables and nightmare to manage it all.

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Originally Posted by GreenCastle

The Hampden games I'm talking about were actually semi finals - think it was Falkirk 4-3 game when Hibs didn't sell out the allocation. Decent enough support but zero loyalty points or incentives for going - get to the final then some folk still need to scramble for tickets etc.

I agree about away tickets -several away games when we had loyalty points didn't get any points added - hard to monitor and this is why I think Hibs stopped doing it as so many variables and nightmare to manage it all.

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They stopped it because of too much moaning, giving the ticket office staff a hard time and season ticket holders threatening not to renew of it took their chance of away tickets away. It all also fell down when the club started allocation points for anything other than attending matches.

It should be such a simple scheme to run and other clubs seem to manage it without too many issues.

People are forgetting how much work will be for loyalty points. We are seeing more clubs in league selling tickets through their websites. How are ticket office meant to know who went/didn’t go. Will cause the ticket office to have more admin work as well which I doubt hibs will want to have to hire more people to manage it. Even some hearts fans are complaining about their system for this reason

People won’t like this but right now unless Hibs can request every club to go back to how they were when we play them and manage the tickets themselves then Hibs First is only option to make sure the ones that travel every week are guaranteed tickets

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Originally Posted by GreenCastle

The Hampden games I'm talking about were actually semi finals - think it was Falkirk 4-3 game when Hibs didn't sell out the allocation. Decent enough support but zero loyalty points or incentives for going - get to the final then some folk still need to scramble for tickets etc.

I agree about away tickets -several away games when we had loyalty points didn't get any points added - hard to monitor and this is why I think Hibs stopped doing it as so many variables and nightmare to manage it all.

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if you paid at the gate for example there was no way of getting points. It became quite difficult. The selling of tickets also became more complicated to administer than it needed to be. I just don’t think we have a major issue with fans not being able to get tickets for games they want that outweighs the hassle of running a scheme.

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Originally Posted by BoomtownHibees

You need to be a season ticket holder and the £50 is paid upfront

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Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Brooster

You still had the same chance as everyone else to join but I do agree with some of your points. There's no doubt you and many others probably attend more away games than a decent percentage of HF members.

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Do you deem it fair that someone who has say been a ST holder for 20+ years would have the same priority as someone who buys a half ST as the team are doing well?

The AST 350 initial membership was based on those who were top of the loyalty points scheme prior to it. It was offered to those of us who the club knew through their records/loyalty points were going every week. There was no flexibility at all and you signed up to taking tickets for every game and they'd simply take the money from your bank account automatically. It was a significant commitment and you knew you'd have little wiggle room if your DD was cancelled or payment didn't go through. You'd be removed.
It was also only 350 deliberately to minimise the impact on other fans and it really was only an issue at Dumbarton and other very small away allocations.
BK saw a money making opportunity and a way to cover the admin cost of a ticket office member.The first year he got push back and AST members were only charged £30 to acknowledge the transition to HF. The big change became the relative flexibility compared to AST.

Under the AST you were seated always with AST members. As a consequence you got to know them. I have to say it is those people who I continue to recognise at games week in, week out. They are still going every week. I'm not sure that's always the case for the additional 150 members but it's hard to guess as they no longer put you all together. Not sure how anyone can know that.
One of the problems is other clubs selling direct -it is a fly in the ointment of any system. I don't know if clubs charge each other to sell their tickets or some other financial issue that makes selling direct advantageous but it's a real inconsistency.

Supply generally matches demand except at Tynecastle and occasionally other games but even there we see non STHs somehow getting tickets because folk pass on ST priority to pals (or French ultras). That's not fair either.

Whatever system evolves - and it undoubtedly will in time - it will be expensive as going to lots of games is exactly that.

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Originally Posted by LewysGot2

The AST 350 initial membership was based on those who were top of the loyalty points scheme prior to it. It was offered to those of us who the club knew through their records/loyalty points were going every week. There was no flexibility at all and you signed up to taking tickets for every game and they'd simply take the money from your bank account automatically. It was a significant commitment and you knew you'd have little wiggle room if your DD was cancelled or payment didn't go through. You'd be removed.
It was also only 350 deliberately to minimise the impact on other fans and it really was only an issue at Dumbarton and other very small away allocations.
BK saw a money making opportunity and a way to cover the admin cost of a ticket office member.The first year he got push back and AST members were only charged £30 to acknowledge the transition to HF. The big change became the relative flexibility compared to AST.

Under the AST you were seated always with AST members. As a consequence you got to know them. I have to say it is those people who I continue to recognise at games week in, week out. They are still going every week. I'm not sure that's always the case for the additional 150 members but it's hard to guess as they no longer put you all together. Not sure how anyone can know that.
One of the problems is other clubs selling direct -it is a fly in the ointment of any system. I don't know if clubs charge each other to sell their tickets or some other financial issue that makes selling direct advantageous but it's a real inconsistency.

Supply generally matches demand except at Tynecastle and occasionally other games but even there we see non STHs somehow getting tickets because folk pass on ST priority to pals (or French ultras). That's not fair either.

Whatever system evolves - and it undoubtedly will in time - it will be expensive as going to lots of games is exactly that.

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Good post, I can vouch for all of this

If they want to start a new LP it’s doing to be difficult to monitor. I’ve no idea how they can manage it now

When it comes to cup final tickets then loyalty points shouldn't be an issue as everyone with a season it's pretty much guaranteed a ticket anyway. Loyalty points were an issue they way they broke the points down for those fans without season tickets. Some season ticket holders think they should get two tickets so they can take their pal who never goes compared to the guy who goes to 10/15 games a season. The club also had 0 games so 0 points in the same bracket as 10 games which is wrong/unfair.

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Originally Posted by Billy Whizz

Good post, I can vouch for all of this

If they want to start a new LP it’s doing to be difficult to monitor. I’ve no idea how they can manage it now

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I’d just ask hearts and Aberdeen how they manage it and as if we can copy and paste the code. No need to make it more complicated.

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Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs

I’d just ask hearts and Aberdeen how they manage it and as if we can copy and paste the code. No need to make it more complicated.

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I see hearts fans regularly moaning about their scheme tbf.

They also highlight the fact that clubs sell directly to away fans as a huge issue.


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Originally Posted by CallumLaidlaw

I see hearts fans regularly moaning about their scheme tbf.

They also highlight the fact that clubs sell directly to away fans as a huge issue.


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Yeah - we’ll have folk moan about any new system too. Goes with the territory.

https://www.afc.co.uk/2025/05/08/dun...information-2/

Saw this about next Saturday’s Dundee Utd v Aberdeen March at Tannadice

United have drastically reduced The Dons allocation due to bad incidents at the last game at Tannadice. Think Goodwin had a bottle aimed at him
Quite a lot of home clubs cutting away allocations, hope this doesn’t go on next season too

Also near the bottom Aberdeen saying they can’t give loyalty points for this game, as the ticket sales are via the Dundee Utd website

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Originally Posted by Billy Whizz

https://www.afc.co.uk/2025/05/08/dun...information-2/

Saw this about next Saturday’s Dundee Utd v Aberdeen March at Tannadice

United have drastically reduced The Dons allocation due to bad incidents at the last game at Tannadice. Think Goodwin had a bottle aimed at him
Quite a lot of home clubs cutting away allocations, hope this doesn’t go on next season too

Also near the bottom Aberdeen saying they can’t give loyalty points for this game, as the ticket sales are via the Dundee Utd website

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It's not like we really need more reasons for this, but this is another example of why scenes of ultras fighting stewards is a problem. Appreciate that they happened at Aberdeen who don't sell directly to Hibs fans, but they cut our allocation last time and if they did it again using the justification that there were incidents then it's not the ultras who suffer for that - it's your average fan who finds it even harder to get a ticket.

Here one person decided it was ok to throw a bottle and it means hundreds of fans will now be locked out the game.

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Originally Posted by S4uzee

Do you deem it fair that someone who has say been a ST holder for 20+ years would have the same priority as someone who buys a half ST as the team are doing well?

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You’ve paid £x per game for the benefit of being able to attend x number of games. Just as a Half Season Ticket holder has. Hibs owe you nothing on that front and want to encourage as many people into our stadium, depending on their circumstances which a HST probably allows catering for.

Hibs F1rst is the only workable solution we have unless everyone is happy to pay higher ticket prices to accommodate extra staff to manage a points system.

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Originally Posted by The Spaceman

You’ve paid £x per game for the benefit of being able to attend x number of games. Just as a Half Season Ticket holder has. Hibs owe you nothing on that front and want to encourage as many people into our stadium, depending on their circumstances which a HST probably allows catering for.

Hibs F1rst is the only workable solution we have unless everyone is happy to pay higher ticket prices to accommodate extra staff to manage a points system.

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It really doesn't need to be complicated. Just copy the Scotland set up more or less.

Let's say, loyalty points for a rolling 2 year period. 1 point home, 1 point away. Bonus points for ST (20 for Vs 18 for buying every home game as a walk up). The desire to maintain points will increase retention and cover costs.

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Originally Posted by Speedy

It really doesn't need to be complicated. Just copy the Scotland set up more or less.

Let's say, loyalty points for a rolling 2 year period. 1 point home, 1 point away. Bonus points for ST (20 for Vs 18 for buying every home game as a walk up). The desire to maintain points will increase retention and cover costs.

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Folk will moan/complain about their points from 5 years ago not being counted.

Can I please direct readers to the Longbangers Podcast where my wee bruv gave a fascinating and detailed update on the Hibs First evening which covered a feast of topics other than ticketing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJCz9qRNbiI&t=3489s

The player chats and SDG talk in particular revealed a lot of fascinating list of views, facts and behind the scenes info.

If you have 6.5 minutes to spare, click on around 17:40.

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Originally Posted by DH1875

Folk will moan/complain about their points from 5 years ago not being counted.

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You're right, folk will moan regardless of whatever system is or isn't in place. Can't please everyone all of the time.

There's a balance between rewarding long term loyalty and incentivising new ST holders.

3 years. 5 bonus points per ST year could also work. ST needs to represent additional value.

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Originally Posted by DH1875

Folk will moan/complain about their points from 5 years ago not being counted.

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Folk will moan.

That’s the sum of it - be clear on the rules around it and don’t change them or tweak to accommodate those that shout louder. Then ignore the noise.

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Originally Posted by matty_f

It's not like we really need more reasons for this, but this is another example of why scenes of ultras fighting stewards is a problem. Appreciate that they happened at Aberdeen who don't sell directly to Hibs fans, but they cut our allocation last time and if they did it again using the justification that there were incidents then it's not the ultras who suffer for that - it's your average fan who finds it even harder to get a ticket.

Here one person decided it was ok to throw a bottle and it means hundreds of fans will now be locked out the game.

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One good thing about having a bod from Block7 on the panel is it makes them accountable to a degree. Hope he is preparing a reasonable response as opposed to the “hangers on” cop out.

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Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs

Folk will moan.

That’s the sum of it - be clear on the rules around it and don’t change them or tweak to accommodate those that shout louder. Then ignore the noise.

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Or they could ignore the pretty limited noise about needing one in the first place?

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Originally Posted by TrinityHFC

Or they could ignore the pretty limited noise about needing one in the first place?

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Fair point. Thing is they’ve shown if you shout loud enough they will act a that’s where Hibs first was born.

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Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs

Fair point. Thing is they’ve shown if you shout loud enough they will act a that’s where Hibs first was born.

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Are you meaning that Hibs First came about due to requests from Hibs supporters?

Got an email from the ticket office, after joining the waiting list, to offer places in Hibs First for next season. Wonder if numbers have increased or it’s drop outs.

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Originally Posted by hibsforeurope

Got an email from the ticket office, after joining the waiting list, to offer places in Hibs First for next season. Wonder if numbers have increased or it’s drop outs.

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I would imagine it’s drop outs.

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Originally Posted by marinello59

I would imagine it’s drop outs.

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Just read Falkirk have sold half the usual away stand for home season tickets so away allocations could be capped at 650-700 for their games.

We can’t have increased numbers.

Just chuffed to get back in.

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Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs

Fair point. Thing is they’ve shown if you shout loud enough they will act a that’s where Hibs first was born.

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That's not how Hibs first was born. Hibs first was the idea of Ben Kensell

anyone aware of a FB group or whatsapp group where hibs first members get together. ?