Stoke City's True Supporters Card scheme has been given a new name - and it's one chosen by the fans themselves. The scheme will now be known as the Stoke City Away Card.
True Supporters card name change
Stoke City's True Supporters Card scheme has been given a new name - and it's one chosen by the fans themselves. The scheme will now be known as the Stoke City Away Card.
The new name, voted for by fans in a recent poll, is one of a number of changes which are being brought in following extensive consultations with supporters groups and Staffordshire Police.
In a thorough review of the scheme two seasons after its launch, and a questionnaire survey of 10,000 season ticket holders, the club is implementing a number of positive changes.
We were asked to make it easier for guests of City fans to attend away matches.
Card holders will be allowed two guest tickets per away fixture. Conditions will apply.
Card holders will be allowed two guest tickets per away fixture. Conditions will apply.
We were asked to make it easier to buy tickets for away fixtures on the day of the game.
Travelling supporters will be able to purchase tickets on the day of the game in advance of their journey by telephone and collect them from the away club's ticket office.
Travelling supporters will be able to purchase tickets on the day of the game in advance of their journey by telephone and collect them from the away club's ticket office.
Supporters not already members of the scheme wanted us to make it as easy as possible for them to join.
There will be a recruitment day at the home fixture versus Sheffield United on Saturday 12th March on the top floor of Delilah's' Bar. From 12 noon City staff will be available to help complete application forms. Fans will be required to bring two forms of identification and £10. A facility to take photographs will be available. Once the form is complete it will be sent for processing.
There will be a recruitment day at the home fixture versus Sheffield United on Saturday 12th March on the top floor of Delilah's' Bar. From 12 noon City staff will be available to help complete application forms. Fans will be required to bring two forms of identification and £10. A facility to take photographs will be available. Once the form is complete it will be sent for processing.
Young supporters suggested we raise the age limit for free membership.
The age limit for free membership is being raised from under 11 to under 17.
Youngsters who apply for a season ticket for 2005/06 will be automatically processed to join the scheme if they choose.
The age limit for free membership is being raised from under 11 to under 17.
Youngsters who apply for a season ticket for 2005/06 will be automatically processed to join the scheme if they choose.
Disabled supporters asked us to make their Card more flexible.
Wheelchair users who attend away fixtures with a personal assistant will now gain entry to away grounds using only their card. This will also admit their assistant. This will help to alleviate the need for wheelchairs to purchase one or more cards for assistants.
Wheelchair users who attend away fixtures with a personal assistant will now gain entry to away grounds using only their card. This will also admit their assistant. This will help to alleviate the need for wheelchairs to purchase one or more cards for assistants.
Says City's Chief Executive Tony Scholes: "The results of the questionnaire and of the supporter forums highlighted that a majority of supporters were in favour of the card scheme, but it was felt there was still scope for improvements and changes to further enhance it. We have listened to the Supporters and made those changes."
The Fans Forum were quick to applaud the club on their efforts to make the scheme better for the fans.
In Their Press Release:
The Fans Forum wish to acknowledge the changes that the club have now introduced regarding the ‘True Supporters Against Violence’ card membership scheme.
The Fans Forum were quick to applaud the club on their efforts to make the scheme better for the fans.
In Their Press Release:
The Fans Forum wish to acknowledge the changes that the club have now introduced regarding the ‘True Supporters Against Violence’ card membership scheme.
Many supporters would accept that the scheme has undoubtedly succeeded in making our away days a far more enjoyable experience than they used to be, regardless of results on the pitch.
It was regrettable that such a scheme had to be launched, but without it, many away matches would have been impossible for Stoke supporters to legally attend.
Although the change in the name and some relaxing of the rules is very welcome indeed, its important to point out that the integrity of the scheme should be retained and not lost or eroded.
The scheme, when first launched, did solve the problem of our hooligan element attending matches and resulted in (in most cases) a far friendlier and less intimidating visit for our supporters.
Unfortunately the reception encountered at some grounds, has often made people wonder if the Police and Stewards of the host Club, actually understood or respected the reasons behind the scheme, because in some instances the treatment of our Fans appeared to be no different in tolerance than it was before the scheme was introduced.
The Fans Forum welcomes the changes in the scheme made by the Club, changes that we on the Forum have actively campaigned for, on behalf of the supporters for a long time. We now urge the Club to seriously look at the reception that our visiting supporters still have to tolerate even now, at some of our opponents grounds
* In the recent poll 30.3 per cent of fans who voted chose the name Stoke City Away card, ahead of Potters Away Supporters Scheme (24.1 per cent), Potters Travel Card (17.2), Potters Away Club (15.5), True Supporters Card
(9) and Potters Membership (4).
(9) and Potters Membership (4).