The Middlesbrough ticket sale has generated one of those debates in which almost every Lincoln City fan has a reasonable point, but nobody has a solution that works fairly for everyone. Some supporters were successful while others spent hours refreshing the Ticketmaster site only to miss out on tickets. This situation raises questions about fairness and how best to allocate tickets among fans.
One argument is for a loyalty scheme that rewards regular travellers. Supporters who attended less popular fixtures, such as Tuesday night games or long journeys, should have priority when demand exceeds supply. The basic logic behind this system is straightforward: those who commit to the club by attending matches deserve first access to tickets. However, implementing such a system presents challenges.
A properly designed points structure could start with Gold members who have attended 40 or more away games over two seasons, followed by Silver and Bronze members based on their attendance records. This approach rewards recent commitment without allowing someone to rely forever on matches they attended decades ago. However, the concept becomes complicated when considering supporters who do not live in Lincoln and cannot justify the cost of a season ticket.
Some are based in London and naturally favor attending matches closer to home. Others live in Yorkshire, Lancashire or the south-west and select matches according to location. Their commitment to the club is just as strong, but their relationship with the fixture list is different. A one-size-fits-all points scheme cannot distinguish between someone who went to 15 home games and five away games compared with a supporter who attended no home games but travelled ten times.
Additionally, there are logistical issues with implementing such a system. For instance, how do you assign points for home versus away games? Does a Tuesday night count more than a Saturday game? Should mileage be considered in the point calculation? These questions add complexity and make the system harder to administer flawlessly. Incorrectly assigned tickets could affect someone's priority for future sell-outs.
Another issue is the risk of creating a closed shop where those with high points receive first access, potentially shutting out younger supporters, newer fans, or people whose circumstances have recently changed. A compromise might see 80% of an allocation distributed through points, with 20% reserved for a ballot among members. This would allow regular travellers to maintain their advantage while giving occasional supporters some possibility of attending.
A ballot system could also remove one of the worst elements of the current process: the need to be online during working hours or have the fastest broadband. Eligible supporters register their interest during a fixed period, and tickets are then allocated. This would be calmer and more accessible for people who cannot sit refreshing a website during work.
Ultimately, the debate revolves around finding a fair solution that rewards commitment without completely shutting out those who may not have as much time or resources to attend every game. While no perfect system exists, a combination of loyalty points and a ballot might offer the best compromise.
