Source: FOOTYMAD
The Great Season Ticket Dilemma - Just what are we signing up for?
It's that time of the year again when an envelope from Edmiston Drive drops on your doormat asking you to give your commitment for next season. And for a nice change, said envelope's arrival has coincided with Rangers all but wrapping up our second SPL title in a row. For most, there is no decision to make. The signature goes on the form, the relevant boxes are ticked and the renewal is posted back to the club promptly. It can't be ignored however that much like the club, us supporters are really beginning to feel the pinch. Having thoroughly enjoyed owning a season ticket again this season after a two-year hiatus that was taken out of necessity rather than desire, I don't know if I'm the only season ticket holder who finds himself at a crossroads when it comes to deciding whether to renew or not. Despite the declining atmosphere and overall matchday experience, I love going to the football, but renewing a season ticket for me is not a decision to take lightly. When you commit to the club for a season, for me anyway, you are endorsing everything about it: It's current regime, it's manager, it's players, everyone from the owner down. In previous tenures as a season ticket holder I have renewed when I didn't approve of the manager OR the chairman OR the player......Perhaps one or two out of the three. Next season, I have no idea who the owner is going to be or what his/their plans are, I have no idea who the manager is going to be and which of our star players, if any, will remain at the club. Without new owners, of course, if is fairly safe to assume that there will be little if any funds available to strengthen as well. So to make this clear, as a man with a young family, I appreciate and enjoy going to Ibrox more than many...it is literally my only form of release and to not go would be heart-breaking, meaning I'm far more likely to renew than not. I know that when I do renew, part of me will be greatly concerned that my renewal is effectively me signing up to be 'down for whatever'. The club has used up a huge amount of goodwill from the support over the past 2 years but personally speaking, there needs to be huge improvements both in terms of the amenities and cosmetics of the ground and the team on the park next season. As well as the obvious issues affecting the squad's performance going into next season, the issue of the state of Ibrox cosmetically and it's facilities is becoming more apparent as the weeks go on. On Sunday at the Hearts game, the kiosks at the Main Stand rear did not have ANY hot food left at all very quickly after half-time, which coupled with the fact that the food is grossly over-priced as it is means that people like myself who would consider bringing their families to games in the future may have to think twice about it. Especially when you consider that the TV screens in the Main Stand rear and the big screen in the corners have not been operational for some time. This kind of thing in terms of pricing is a Scottish Football problem... not a solely a Rangers problem but it would be nice to see us pioneer something to get more families and youngsters to the games as from where I'm sitting, the number of families attending is clearly dwindling. I always held the belief that we could win the title this season, despite the players we lost and the fact we are still unable to purchase players. That being said, this squad has exceeded my expectations with just how well they've done. It's being heartening to see youngsters like Wilson, Fleck, Little and to a lesser extent Wylde get a chance with the first team. This season has brought so many positives. But when it comes to clarity, a clear vision for the future, value for money and the overall matchday experience, the phrase 'We Deserve Better' once again springs to mind.
