Ĥibs First night

Great evening at the Hibs First end of season event. Sir David had the room in the palm of his hand. He genuinely is just the most honest decent man we could want to lead our club. Good fun from Lewis Miller and Joe. Nectar and Levitt also.

Subscription kept at £50 for next season. Current members have till first week in June to renew then it goes to folk on the waiting list if there are any spaces not renewed.

One question from the floor caused the guy doing the presentation to be uncomfortable- about how many B7 folk are Hibs First Members. Apparently 25.

Which might explain why we get the issues discussed here time and again - not all those wanting to be in their group/area are Hibs First/in this 25.

Joe updated everyone re his operation- expects to be good to go in preseason 👏

Waiting list? How do you get on that?

That’s interesting, when I emailed about joining the waiting list to re-join I was told there was no waiting list in place.

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Originally Posted by LewysGot2

Great evening at the Hibs First end of season event. Sir David had the room in the palm of his hand. He genuinely is just the most honest decent man we could want to lead our club. Good fun from Lewis Miller and Joe. Nectar and Levitt also.

Subscription kept at £50 for next season. Current members have till first week in June to renew then it goes to folk on the waiting list if there are any spaces not renewed.

One question from the floor caused the guy doing the presentation to be uncomfortable- about how many B7 folk are Hibs First Members. Apparently 25.

Which might explain why we get the issues discussed here time and again - not all those wanting to be in their group/area are Hibs First/in this 25.

Joe updated everyone re his operation- expects to be good to go in preseason 👏

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Question a bit lost on me tbh, I thought they always just said where b7 will.be seated incase younwanted to be close or sit away from

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Originally Posted by hibsforeurope

That’s interesting, when I emailed about joining the waiting list to re-join I was told there was no waiting list in place.

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I was told the exact same thing.

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Originally Posted by hibsforeurope

That’s interesting, when I emailed about joining the waiting list to re-join I was told there was no waiting list in place.

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They definitely said it would be offered to those on the waiting list 🤔

I'd email again in light of that 👍

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Originally Posted by LewysGot2

Great evening at the Hibs First end of season event. Sir David had the room in the palm of his hand. He genuinely is just the most honest decent man we could want to lead our club. Good fun from Lewis Miller and Joe. Nectar and Levitt also.

Subscription kept at £50 for next season. Current members have till first week in June to renew then it goes to folk on the waiting list if there are any spaces not renewed.

One question from the floor caused the guy doing the presentation to be uncomfortable- about how many B7 folk are Hibs First Members. Apparently 25.

Which might explain why we get the issues discussed here time and again - not all those wanting to be in their group/area are Hibs First/in this 25.

Joe updated everyone re his operation- expects to be good to go in preseason 👏

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Is the window open yet?

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Originally Posted by Libby Hibby

I was told the exact same thing.

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Likewise.

Meeting SDG tonight was better than meeting my girlfriend 9 years ago.

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Originally Posted by LewysGot2

They definitely said it would be offered to those on the waiting list 🤔

I'd email again in light of that 👍

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I think he got that wrong. It’ll be opened up on a first come, first served basis. There is no way to run a fair waiting list now.

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Originally Posted by percy veer

Question a bit lost on me tbh, I thought they always just said where b7 will.be seated incase younwanted to be close or sit away from

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Bit of confusion as initially said "they're all members of HF"...which was then pushed back again by the guy asking the question

Then a comment from someone else asking are there two Block 7s when he answered 25 of them.

Still at least it was less awkward than last years shocking questions to Rocky 🫣

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Originally Posted by 3pm

Is the window open yet?

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Email coming out tomorrow morning apparently

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Originally Posted by LewysGot2

Bit of confusion as initially said "they're all members of HF"...which was then pushed back again by the guy asking the question

Then a comment from someone else asking are there two Block 7s when he answered 25 of them.

Still at least it was less awkward than last years shocking questions to Rocky 🫣

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May have been good if rocky came and answered those questions tonight

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Originally Posted by percy veer

May have been good if rocky came and answered those questions tonight

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I actually thought the same thing, tonight!

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Originally Posted by Frazerbob

Waiting list? How do you get on that?

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Ask your office jambo

A terrible system that shuts out those fans who didn’t pay £50 a few years back and bought season tickets when sales were as low as 8k in the championship

Was a decent enough night.

Felt it was really awkward when the guy asked about block 7. Think it was one of those that he could have asked the Hibs employee on the side. They had offered to take any questions throughout the night and the tone of the question was almost coming across as accusing them of sorting block 7 out rather than actually asking what the script is with their tickets.

Player interviews on the stage were short and sweet but all in decent form.

David Gray spoke really well and just gets Hibs.

What is glaringly obvious is that there is a significant number of people that are on Hibs First that don’t go to games. With the potential of European football I highly doubt there will be much availability for new joiners. I’m fortunate enough to benefit, but it’s really not fair imo.

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Originally Posted by S4uzee

A terrible system that shuts out those fans who didn’t pay £50 a few years back and bought season tickets when sales were as low as 8k in the championship

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Why didn't you pay £50 a few years back? You had the same opportunity as everyone else.

Also...I'm willing to bet a pound to a penny if a loyalty scheme was introduced it would be the same people in the top bracket who are in HibsFirst.

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Originally Posted by Brooster

Why didn't you pay £50 a few years back? You had the same opportunity as everyone else.

Also...I'm willing to bet a pound to a penny if a loyalty scheme was introduced it would be the same people in the top bracket who are in HibsFirst.

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I definitely agree that most Hibs Frist members would be in the highest loyalty point bracket however a loyalty points system would at least give everyone the opportunity to break into the elite group. At the moment, it's a closed shop. I doubt there's many (if any) folk who give up their membership come the end of the season. Circumstances change, maybe folk couldn't commit to the old away season ticket or the first release of Hibs First but would love to now, given the opportunity. I know Hibs First members who attend far less away games than I do but, and I may be wrong here, there seems to be no policing of their ticket uptake.

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Originally Posted by SteveHFC

Meeting SDG tonight was better than meeting my girlfriend 9 years ago.

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you should have heard what’s she said about you :)

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Originally Posted by Frazerbob

I definitely agree that most Hibs Frist members would be in the highest loyalty point bracket however a loyalty points system would at least give everyone the opportunity to break into the elite group. At the moment, it's a closed shop. I doubt there's many (if any) folk who give up their membership come the end of the season. Circumstances change, maybe folk couldn't commit to the old away season ticket or the first release of Hibs First but would love to now, given the opportunity. I know Hibs First members who attend far less away games than I do but, and I may be wrong here, there seems to be no policing of their ticket uptake.

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Definitely not a closed shop as I only became a member this season as someone dropped out.
And previous years Hibs first had to purchase a ticket for an away game irrespective if they were going or not .
As for ticket scramble in Europe I know a few last night that were talking about Europe and potentially a minimum of 5 away games if we get in to Europa league and said they will make one or two as they can't afford it or get time from work.

You don’t even have to go to all the games - £50 to have guaranteed derby tickets is reasonable. They could’ve doubled it to cash in.

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Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs

You don’t even have to go to all the games - £50 to have guaranteed derby tickets is reasonable. They could’ve doubled it to cash in.

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In no way can £50 to guarantee derby tickets, when you don’t have to go to all the games at the expense of many who do, can be described as “reasonable”.

Away attendees are rising. Not just Hibs, but across the board away crowds look to be rising.

If this trend continues we will need a more satisfactory system than Hibs First.

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Originally Posted by gorgie greens

Definitely not a closed shop as I only became a member this season as someone dropped out.
And previous years Hibs first had to purchase a ticket for an away game irrespective if they were going or not .
As for ticket scramble in Europe I know a few last night that were talking about Europe and potentially a minimum of 5 away games if we get in to Europa league and said they will make one or two as they can't afford it or get time from work.

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That was probably our group who missed the deadline and never managed to renew this season :doh:

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Originally Posted by Green-Hibee-7

What is glaringly obvious is that there is a significant number of people that are on Hibs First that don’t go to games. With the potential of European football I highly doubt there will be much availability for new joiners. I’m fortunate enough to benefit, but it’s really not fair imo.

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As a member, I really don't think this is true. It's always the same faces I see, albeit not 500 of them at once.

Every single person had the opportunity to buy a Hibs First membership when they were made available, with a clear view on what you were either purchasing or you weren’t.

Appreciate it will be frustrating now Hibs are doing well more people will want one / knowing there is a group of our support which will have a completely stress-free ticket purchasing experience for any European game they want, but they’ve earned that if they’ve given the club £150 over the past 3 seasons for the privilege.

Was a good evening. Especially when they brought out all the leftover pies at the end [emoji23]

Could listen to David Gray talk all day. So balanced and gets the job. Never gets drawn in to any nonsense. I like when he said he understood why hibs appointed all of the last 3/4 managers and their back room staff and has tried to take all the good stuff from them. And that he tries to think about what he liked as a player when it came to training etc and blend that with what he’s trying to get across as a manager.

He talks about having the right characters at the club and I think the 4 players that were there last night were a good example of that. All come across as down to earth, likeable lads and all seem to get on really well.

As for Hibs First, even as someone that has it, I’ve always been an advocate of a loyalty scheme. It absolutely has its place, and works for plenty other teams - but you only have to look around at other clubs to see that they still all have their issues, so maybe that’s why Hibs choose to stick with the current model.


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Originally Posted by Carheenlea

In no way can £50 to guarantee derby tickets, when you don’t have to go to all the games at the expense of many who do, can be described as “reasonable”.

Away attendees are rising. Not just Hibs, but across the board away crowds look to be rising.

If this trend continues we will need a more satisfactory system than Hibs First.

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Folk would pay £60 for a derby ticket and that’s what some of the hibs first are effectively doing as they don’t take up the tickets for any other game.

There’s no 3 strikes and you’re out rule anymore - just sign up and pick and choose. Everyone should get on the waiting list to show the club what the interest levels are and it might make them think differently.

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Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs

You don’t even have to go to all the games - £50 to have guaranteed derby tickets is reasonable. They could’ve doubled it to cash in.

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Get a good night out included in that £50 as well by sounds of it.

[QUOTE=Danderhall Hibs;7954202]Folk would pay £60 for a derby ticket and that’s what some of the hibs first are effectively doing as they don’t take up the tickets for any other game.

There’s no 3 strikes and you’re out rule anymore - just sign up and pick and choose. Everyone should get on the waiting list to show the club what the interest levels are and it might make them think differently.[/QUOTE

The club has no control over how much the allocation of any away game will be so 500 membership is about right once the players and staff get their allocation so little point in everyone applying.

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Originally Posted by Brooster

Why didn't you pay £50 a few years back? You had the same opportunity as everyone else.

Also...I'm willing to bet a pound to a penny if a loyalty scheme was introduced it would be the same people in the top bracket who are in HibsFirst.

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Me my nephew and both sons who are all in their 30's go to just about every away game as a group we have being doing this for at least 20 of these years, me a lot longer due to my age obviously. None of us out of principle paid the £50.00, but I will say that at least two of us if not all four would have got a ticket for the recent Aberdeen game if it had been down to loyalty points. I wonder though why we manged to get tickets no problem for the up coming game against celtic where the allocation was roughly the same for the two games.

No system will please everyone and it's the same arguments every time.

Hibs First is fine but it has become pretty much a closed shop because of the cap on numbers. Once someone is in why would they leave? It's a guarantee of tickets for the biggest games with no obligation to buy for any other games. I think it will be a minority who use it as such, most will go to most away games and that absolutely should be recognised. However if someone had say a change in work pattern that would limit their attendance at away games would they give up their membership? I'm sceptical because ultimately it works out at about £1.30 a week over the course of the season to guarantee a ticket for Tynescastle, Ibrox, away cup games and European away trips. Well done to those who signed up at first but it does create an issue for those who couldn't commit to it 3 years ago but would like to now. Increasing the cap by another 250 or 500 creates issues of it's own.

The beauty of the loyalty schemes I have been in (Newcastle) is that points drop off after 2 years. Not all your points obviously but after 2 years, points that are 2 years and 1 day old drop off and so on. That creates a snapshot in time so the people attending most away game at any given period are at the top of the tree. It stops people who attend every away game now still being at the top in 5 years as a legacy even if their attendance drops off, whilst continuing to reward them if it doesn't. The big issue with loyalty points is that so many clubs now sell direct to away fans. Ayr this season is an example; Hibs communicated there was a priority period for Hibs First members but there wasn't. Ayr controlled the ticket sales and they didn't care about Hibs scheme, anyone who wanted a ticket on the first day of sales could have bought one and I know plenty who did just that. It would either entail Hibs taking control of all ticket sales which is costly or asking for access to another clubs data to update points and so on. Both a lot of work and additional costs for a scheme that would only really be needed a handful of times a season.

The away season ticket penalised a lot of loyal fans by obligating them to buy tickets for games whether they could attend or not. If someone is able to attend say 16 of 18 away games it's a bit unfair to charge them for the 2 games they miss imo. That ultimately works out more expensive than the Hibs First scheme in which an upfront payment of £50 removes the obligation (and that money ends up in Hibs coffers rather than Motherwell, Dundee etc).

People will pick holes in every scheme and generally speaking the 'best option' usually equates to 'the option that most suits my circumstances'. I'm at a point now where I have gone from attending all away games up until about 6 years ago to attending only a couple for a few years to now attending 8-10 again with that likely to increase again next season so I'd be happy to get either get into Hibs First if the opportunity ever arises or have a loyalty scheme reintroduced as both would see me right but that probably clouds my opinion because all I am really interested in is me.

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Originally Posted by green with envy

Me my nephew and both sons who are all in their 30's go to just about every away game as a group we have being doing this for at least 20 of these years, me a lot longer due to my age obviously. None of us out of principle paid the £50.00, but I will say that at least two of us if not all four would have got a ticket for the recent Aberdeen game if it had been down to loyalty points. I wonder though why we manged to get tickets no problem for the up coming game against celtic where the allocation was roughly the same for the two games.

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Loyalty points are the way to go. It works fine for Scotland games.

Kind of an endless debate on this one every time it comes up, usually reaching a peak around Tynie (maybe some Euro trips next season?) as people lose out. Do think the club need to answer longer-term their plans on Hibs First, I don't think it's good enough to say 'you missed out 4 years ago, so tough'. Attending habits change, as Pretty Boy mentioned and no club should run closed shop loyalty schemes.

Anyone with issues should really be DM'ing or emailing Kieran Power to give him an idea of sentiment. Only real chance it gets looked at. The debate on here is bordering on a flag debate thread now. Entrenched, repetitive & it doesn't help change a thing.

The new panel can hopefully raise it and propose a solution. The club are trying to do it with little admin required - could just hearts for a copy and paste of the code for their system.

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Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs

The new panel can hopefully raise it and propose a solution. The club are trying to do it with little admin required - could just hearts for a copy and paste of the code for their system.

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The crux of it is the club are trying to monetise a part of the system they would usually see no income for. We have a great away travelling support that doesn't actually come into the clubs pockets, but charging 750 people £50 does. It's an extra £35k a year for not a lot of work.

Until someone proposes an idea that keeps everyone happy AND brings the club money I doubt it'll change.

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Originally Posted by Centre Hawf

The crux of it is the club are trying to monetise a part of the system they would usually see no income for. We have a great away travelling support that doesn't actually come into the clubs pockets, but charging 750 people £50 does. It's an extra £35k a year for not a lot of work.

Until someone proposes an idea that keeps everyone happy AND brings the club money I doubt it'll change.

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It’s only 500 of us so not quite as much but I agree. I am a member but on the face of it I find monetising the away support quite galling.

We already, like many others, spend a fortune following the club only for it to be monetised further.

It’s not a great look but it’s also a scheme which it makes it easier for us to buy tickets and gives us a couple of days to buy so from that POV and the admin costs then £50 is worth it.

I never went last night down to the fact that even the Hibs First night is devalued. A two course meal down to a pie and a pint (I don’t drink) so glad most enjoyed themselves and I am grateful for the service but please bring back loyalty points.

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Originally Posted by andrew70

It’s only 500 of us so not quite as much but I agree. I am a member but on the face of it I find monetising the away support quite galling.

We already, like many others, spend a fortune following the club only for it to be monetised further.

It’s not a great look but it’s also a scheme which it makes it easier for us to buy tickets and gives us a couple of days to buy so from that POV and the admin costs then £50 is worth it.

I never went last night down to the fact that even the Hibs First night is devalued. A two course meal down to a pie and a pint (I don’t drink) so glad most enjoyed themselves and I am grateful for the service but please bring back loyalty points.

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Wait til you find out there’s no HQ magazine going forward either… [emoji23]


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Originally Posted by CallumLaidlaw

Wait til you find out there’s no HQ magazine going forward either… [emoji23]


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Aye I heard that 😂

Hopefully reintroducing the programme although I write for the independent one so not sure how that would work.

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Originally Posted by CallumLaidlaw

Wait til you find out there’s no HQ magazine going forward either… [emoji23]


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That's a shame, I quite liked the HQ magazine (prefer a programme but I know the general need for them has diminished.) Always felt if the club paired it with your season ticket and sent them out like a traditional magazine subscription it would have been a decent addition.

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Originally Posted by Speedy

Loyalty points are the way to go. It works fine for Scotland games.

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Well it does until they randomly change your membership number without telling you so you lose points, then they deny it ever happened even though you provide proof - sorry just my historical gripe with the SFA that saw me narrowly miss out on qualifying for Euro tickets.

In theory it works great and I'd like to see Hibs get back to something similar.

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Originally Posted by Centre Hawf

The crux of it is the club are trying to monetise a part of the system they would usually see no income for. We have a great away travelling support that doesn't actually come into the clubs pockets, but charging 750 people £50 does. It's an extra £35k a year for not a lot of work.

Until someone proposes an idea that keeps everyone happy AND brings the club money I doubt it'll change.

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If they are trying to monetise any system, introducing a proper membership scheme, that anyone (season ticket holders) can join and then having a loyalty system under this umbrella. Current Hibs First members can be given the top priority initially and then others can build up points, this would eventually weed out anyone how just buys Hibs first for tiny tickets.
This membership could offer additional benefits, money off stadium tours, money off in the shop, potentially free home ticket to bring a friend, etc. none of this would really need much of a financial outlay.

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Originally Posted by Viva_Palmeiras

you should have heard what’s she said about you :)

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She wished she’d met DG nine years ago

[QUOTE=gorgie greens;7954212]

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Originally Posted by Danderhall Hibs

Folk would pay £60 for a derby ticket and that’s what some of the hibs first are effectively doing as they don’t take up the tickets for any other game.

There’s no 3 strikes and you’re out rule anymore - just sign up and pick and choose. Everyone should get on the waiting list to show the club what the interest levels are and it might make them think differently.[/QUOTE

The club has no control over how much the allocation of any away game will be so 500 membership is about right once the players and staff get their allocation so little point in everyone applying.

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Take Aberdeen away recently.

Hospitality memebers get offered tickets before they go on sale as well.

Hospitality / F-First / Players / Staff tickets - be lucky if there was 100 tickets went up for sale to ST holders.

Maybe the Hibs first should introduce that you must be a ST holder (or are they already)and pay the 50 quid on top, or am I missing something?

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Originally Posted by Phil MaGlass

Maybe the Hibs first should introduce that you must be a ST holder (or are they already)and pay the 50 quid on top, or am I missing something?

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

SDG spoke so well and had time for everyone. We are so lucky to have him as our leader and I can see how rhe team are so inspired by him.

Was there an email that came out about tonight's event?
I couldn't find anything saying it was tonight.
Most likely bloody Hotmail again.

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Originally Posted by scottish_sleepy

Was there an email that came out about tonight's event?
I couldn't find anything saying it was tonight.
Most likely bloody Hotmail again.

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The initial invite was sent on 11th April

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Originally Posted by Brooster

Why didn't you pay £50 a few years back? You had the same opportunity as everyone else.

Also...I'm willing to bet a pound to a penny if a loyalty scheme was introduced it would be the same people in the top bracket who are in HibsFirst.

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This gets rolled out every time this discussion comes up. The reality is it was such a short period of time it was available that people didn't get the chance. I was on holiday and missed the opportunity, that's my bad luck but it's not true to say that everyone that would have wanted to join had the opportunity, there was a finite number of memberships and they went fast. Your second point isn't true either, I was in the top bracket in the old loyalty scheme and I'm not in Hibs First, I also go to Hibs away matches, have Behind the Goals membership and a season ticket holder, that rightly, doesn't make me anything other than a supporter. The current system isn't right and needs to be changed to make it fairer to everyone not just a group of 500 supporters.

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Originally Posted by Cammy

This gets rolled out every time this discussion comes up. The reality is it was such a short period of time it was available that people didn't get the chance. I was on holiday and missed the opportunity, that's my bad luck but it's not true to say that everyone that would have wanted to join had the opportunity, there was a finite number of memberships and they went fast. Your second point isn't true either, I was in the top bracket in the old loyalty scheme and I'm not in Hibs First, I also go to Hibs away matches, have Behind the Goals membership and a season ticket holder, that rightly, doesn't make me anything other than a supporter. The current system isn't right and needs to be changed to make it fairer to everyone not just a group of 500 supporters.

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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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Originally Posted by SteveHFC

Meeting SDG tonight was better than meeting my girlfriend 9 years ago.

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There comes a moment in your life when you realise what REAL love is.

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Originally Posted by Cammy

This gets rolled out every time this discussion comes up. The reality is it was such a short period of time it was available that people didn't get the chance. I was on holiday and missed the opportunity, that's my bad luck but it's not true to say that everyone that would have wanted to join had the opportunity, there was a finite number of memberships and they went fast. Your second point isn't true either, I was in the top bracket in the old loyalty scheme and I'm not in Hibs First, I also go to Hibs away matches, have Behind the Goals membership and a season ticket holder, that rightly, doesn't make me anything other than a supporter. The current system isn't right and needs to be changed to make it fairer to everyone not just a group of 500 supporters.

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It’s mental - things change, circumstances, cash flow etc. but if you didn’t elect to do this a few years ago you’re stuck with it.

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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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That's the part that annoys me.

I made a point in not purchasing Hibs First because I'm against monetising loyalty schemes.

We pay enough money to follow Hibs home and away without being subject to yet more expense.

There are people in Hibs First who attend nowhere near the amount of away games some of us do, yet come Europe etc, we may be without tickets, whilst everyone in Hibs First is covered.

What happened to the scheme being monitored as the club assured us?

The first item on the agenda for the newly formed supporter's panel should be the abandonment of Hibs First, and a fairer and fully accessible system going forward.

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Originally Posted by Cammy

This gets rolled out every time this discussion comes up. The reality is it was such a short period of time it was available that people didn't get the chance. I was on holiday and missed the opportunity, that's my bad luck but it's not true to say that everyone that would have wanted to join had the opportunity, there was a finite number of memberships and they went fast. Your second point isn't true either, I was in the top bracket in the old loyalty scheme and I'm not in Hibs First, I also go to Hibs away matches, have Behind the Goals membership and a season ticket holder, that rightly, doesn't make me anything other than a supporter. The current system isn't right and needs to be changed to make it fairer to everyone not just a group of 500 supporters.

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I’m Hibs First but it should be a loyalty scheme to cater for changing circumstances. The people on Hibs First, who go every week, wouldn’t suffer. They’d still be in the top bracket for away tickets. It would weed out folk who don’t actually go but benefit for the big games and would would give others the opportunity to increase their eligibility over time. The concept is so simple, it should never have been mucked about with all those years ago.

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Originally Posted by B.H.F.C

I’m Hibs First but it should be a loyalty scheme to cater for changing circumstances. The people on Hibs First, who go every week, wouldn’t suffer. They’d still be in the top bracket for away tickets. It would weed out folk who don’t actually go but benefit for the big games and would would give others the opportunity to increase their eligibility over time. The concept is so simple, it should never have been mucked about with all those years ago.

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Totally agree. I wouldn’t be at the top but it’s fairer than this shambles. Needs to be made clear it’s not a league table of best fan - I think that caused a few problems last time.

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Originally Posted by Chorley Hibee

That's the part that annoys me.

I made a point in not purchasing Hibs First because I'm against monetising loyalty schemes.

We pay enough money to follow Hibs home and away without being subject to yet more expense.

There are people in Hibs First who attend nowhere near the amount of away games some of us do, yet come Europe etc, we may be without tickets, whilst everyone in Hibs First is covered.

What happened to the scheme being monitored as the club assured us?

The first item on the agenda for the newly formed supporter's panel should be the abandonment of Hibs First, and a fairer and fully accessible system going forward.

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I’m sure one of the issues of the loyalty scheme was who was managing it and sorting it / admin issues etc.

Any scheme should have a reset and allow new members.

My biggest issue with loyalty points with the inconsistency of how points were allocated - didn’t include some away games or even games to Hampden. I would say the loyalty scheme made people I know attend more games though as they wanted to get more points.

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Originally Posted by GreenCastle

I’m sure one of the issues of the loyalty scheme was who was managing it and sorting it / admin issues etc.

Any scheme should have a reset and allow new members.

My biggest issue with loyalty points with the inconsistency of how points were allocated - didn’t include some away games or even games to Hampden. I would say the loyalty scheme made people I know attend more games though as they wanted to get more points.

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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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Originally Posted by GreenCastle

I’m sure one of the issues of the loyalty scheme was who was managing it and sorting it / admin issues etc.

Any scheme should have a reset and allow new members.

My biggest issue with loyalty points with the inconsistency of how points were allocated - didn’t include some away games or even games to Hampden. I would say the loyalty scheme made people I know attend more games though as they wanted to get more points.

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There actually could be a solution where rather than not earning loyalty points for the games that really need them (and they are few and far between) that you actually spend loyalty points on those tickets.

Maybe a way to stop the biggest games becoming a completely closed shop.

I think the issue last time was, as Danderhall said, that folk saw it as a league table but you also had folk harvesting points so they had enough to guarantee a ticket for the big games without necessarily attending the other away games themselves.

Loyalty points would suit me, when we had them before I was always in the first trench of tickets, and I go to more away games now than I managed back then now the kids are older. I don't think we should end up in a position where we have Hibs fans who are forever locked out of the best games to attend.

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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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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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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. ?

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Originally Posted by 7Hero

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

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Yes mate there is, but it's an extra £30 per year to be allowed in!

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Originally Posted by the_ginger_hibee

Yes mate there is, but it's an extra £30 per year to be allowed in!

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hilarious :greengrin

4 of us managed to get on this year, didn’t even know there was a waiting list until I emailed about a month ago.