Just sent this to the club. Don’t expect a reply but made me feel better to get it off my chest
To Whom It May Concern
I just wanted to query how it is possible that I am on the verge of losing 15 years worth of European loyalty. I have bought under my membership number, every European match in both the Champions League and Europa League including qualifiers since we played Bayer Leverkusen at home in the Champions League round of 16 in 2004. I always joined the Auto Cup Scheme after it was introduced to ensure I didn’t have continue to go through the rat race of pressing F5 (refresh) to try and get tickets once they went on sale.
However, at the start of this season I was unable to get to a PC on the day the ATS for Europe reopened (due to work) and I was gutted to find that it sold out (by the time I could reach a PC) despite my 14 years (at this point) of never having missed a European home match and having every match in those 14 years recorded on my members card (you can check this for proof - 1XXXXXX3).
I was told when I called the ticket office last summer that people who managed to get six home matches on their card on the road to Kiev (which I took seven flights to get to and get home I hasten to add) were just as eligible as me to join the ATS despite the fact I had 14 years of European loyalty compared to their six matches (is this really fair?).
Now this season I have toiled and eventually managed to secure tickets through the website for all five Champions League matches to date. However, I missed out yesterday (Thursday 25th) when trying to purchase the Barcelona home semi final.
I know there may be some returns which I am relying on now to get a ticket but the fact that the allocation for UEFA goes up the nearer the final we get means that I potentially not only risk not getting a ticket for the semi final but I also risk losing all of the European loyalty I have built up since 2004, which would have the subsequent knock on effect of me not being able to join the European auto ticket scheme next season because I would only have five credits for this season.
Basically I stand on the verge of not being able to get a ticket for future European matches because of this as it’s unlikely that members with just five tickets would be able to buy tickets on general sale next season as it probably wouldn’t go below members with six credits.
I have spent thousands of pounds following the club in Europe both home and on occasions away (Istanbul, Athens, Marseille, Milan, Arsenal and Kiev) but I despair that I’m realistically about to lose my 15 years loyalty. It wouldn’t happen to a season ticket holder would it? But then I’m a lowly member not a season ticket holder.
However, and I have heard this gripe on many of the LFC forums including redandwhitekop.com from many fans, why do STH’s who haven’t bothered to attend any of the previous Champions League matches this season get priority to buy tickets for the round f 16, quarter final or semi final over members with all credits to date?
It’s a flawed and unfair system as a member wouldn’t be able to get a league match ticket of their choosing at the expense of a season ticket holder. It surely should work both ways.
If a season ticket holder doesn’t wish to attend the group stages of the Champions League why should they still gain priority over members who did and then be able to buy tickets to the last 16, quarter final and semi final?
I can’t express how frustrated I am at this moment and have attempted to convey my points in a calm and sensible manner. I’m desperate not to lose 15 years worth of loyalty as I’m sure I won’t be able to get that back.
Yours sincerely
Chris Davies