What possible chance does anyone have of getting on the ladder from scratch? My lads just turned 16 and can afford to go but I don't see any chance of getting a ticket for anyone??
Ticket in own name will be difficult whilst in the CL but it's not impossible at all - it just depends on circumstances at times.
For example your lad (or anyone) could 100% have gone to see our game v Spartak Moscow this season and he'd have 1 credit. (Also don't forget that might count if we get all the way as well...).
But Sevilla sold out on 2 so he'd be stuck for the moment on 1. (Ignoring Maribor as that was a bit extreme for most). With 1 he'd be unlikely to get Porto still, so still stuck on 1.
But if he'd got 1 from last season, he'd likely have got a small chance at Sevilla and then possibly Porto and with also Moscow he'd be on 3 out 4 this year potentially. If Porto offered 4k instead of 2.5k then maybe even with 1 - I've no real idea just giving examples. Sometimes the club isn't always too consistent with credit history and how far back and knockout sometimes based on group rather than last 2 seasons, but usually it's last 2 seasons for most.
If he just had Spartak after this season and we end up the CL or Europa next year and get 5k tickets somewhere he might get another credit then he'd be on the '2 from the last 2 years' list. Could even be another Russian team this year which would get him to 2 - then the season after you're hoping we get some big allocations again and all of a sudden you're on 3 and rolling. Also it's easier when we're rubbish and in the Europa. (Even though they are often more interesting locations to me). Having said that we could get 3 teams like Marribor next season and you'd have no chance.
It's not impossible but requires a bit of luck, timing and money - because without the credits you're the last one to book. (Or you take the risk early on and go regardless).
What you can't then do is dip in and out really.