All that rhetoric would be great if a large proportion of the tickets that do go on sale didn't get immediately sold onto others. I'll take spares often and essentially that means I jump the queue of people who might be on lower credits who miss out, so I'm just as much to blame for accepting them but I'll admit it at least. It's all a big farce really. Demand clearly outstrips supply for Premier League games for sure and even the current system despite all it's merits about loyalty isn't perfect and is abused on a weekly basis (same for home games).
Although if people were totally honest about going to games, that lad would have had a shot at Leicester Away in the cup where the large majority would have gone in on a spare on someone elses card- there were loads of them floating around, everyone I know who wanted to go was sorted- only two of them on their season ticket. Even the league game went very close to dropping to all members/seasies, that also could have dropped if spares exchanged were removed and it just dropped down the list to be bought by people on their own cards as the system is supposed to work.
I don't doubt there are people who go to every game (or 85% plus etc) who should totally be rewarded for their continued financial and emotional investment in travelling to support the team but the system used ultimately will encourage people to buy and sell on if they can't attend (even if the tickets do go to sound reds or good mates)- which actively prevents new people from getting the chance to go on their own card. Then you also have loads in the middle who suffer the worst of both. May have to accept spares for a game they want to go to as they aren't 100% sure it will drop to the number of credits that they have and then when they get the chance to buy if it drops to their credit level, will be forced to sell one of their tickets- and so it continues down the ladder. As it's much easier to just grab one on your card and move it on and know you've got the credit for it, than it is to say 'I'm not attending and can't make it and therefore I shall not buy'- this happens loads.
Afterall, how do you know how many games someone goes to that aren't recorded? Don't get any credit for those. But it's the same trips at the end of the day. But it is fitting that when we talk of the away system as a 'ladder' there are some who are happy as long as it is kicked away. I've only missed one league cup away game in the last five years. On my card? 0.
Edit: I'm happy enough accepting that whoevers card was used to buy my ticket will be more likely to get the final if we make it as that is the trade off for getting to go and see the reds away and to enjoy myself which I more than appreciate and understand everytime I make the trade. Also I clearly contribute to the problem as well as I'm a willing buyer, who if I didn't might have them looking to move it on elsewhere (although with demand I doubt they'd have an issue). But let's not act like everyone with full credits goes to every game because they clearly don't- and if we cut out selling spares, there might be more available for people with zero credits to access once or twice a season. So I'd have no issue with ways being looked at to allow some new blood onto the ladder personally.