Open Letter from TFC, "...We're Sorry..."

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/10/open-...toronto-fc-fans



Dear Toronto FC Fans,

We are sorry.

For the way the season has played out and for not bringing the excitement of Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs to BMO Field. We fell short of our goals and more importantly, your expectations. But most of all, we are sorry for not listening better.

Over the past four seasons you have shown the soccer world that Toronto FC has, bar-none, the best fans in MLS. Your passion and dedication has been unwavering and for that you deserve more than we have delivered this season.

Recently we have received a lot of feedback from our fans, season seat holders and supporters. One of the most prevalent issues you have brought to our attention is the 2011 season seat package. We screwed up. In hindsight, the increased number of games in 2011 season seat package you received in September was a mistake. We have listened to your feedback and eliminated two (CONCACAF Champions League) games which will reduce your ticket package price accordingly, and because of this change we have extended the deadline until October 22. We need to build a team that earns the right to sell you these extra games.

If you have already renewed season seats:

• If you are currently on the payment plan, your November 15 payment will be adjusted to accommodate the decrease in cost.
• If you have paid in full, you will be issued a refund for the amount of the 2 matches (expect this within six weeks).
• For those of you who would like to keep the original package (including the 2 CONCACAF Champions League matches), please let us know at 416-360-GOAL by the new renewal deadline of October 22.
• Please note that your Online Account Manager will not reflect the changes. If you require an updated account statement, please give us a call.

These first four years have been a real learning process. In our conversations you have affirmed our belief in and commitment to an ongoing, two-way dialogue. As such, we will be hosting a series of Town Hall meetings with fans over the next few weeks.

Thursday, October 14
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Monday, October 18
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 21
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

All Town Hall meetings will take place in the Rogers Club at BMO Field. If you'd like to attend, please RSVP to townhall@torontofc.ca with the date and time of the meeting as the subject line. Also, be sure to indicate if you would like to bring a guest. We will fill the limited space on a first come first served basis and all accepted RSVP's will be notified by email.

We are working hard to assemble a football management team that is second to none in MLS. We need leadership that will establish the vision for this team, create a winning culture, and provide stability. The manager, whoever that ultimately might be, will be charged with building a great team around him including hiring the head coach.

Next month we have the honour of hosting the MLS Cup. Unfortunately the Reds will not be participating, but this is still a wonderful opportunity to showcase our world-class city and our tremendous soccer culture and supporters. We're looking forward to showing the rest of MLS and the soccer world how great our fans are this November.

This is the start of a new era for Toronto FC. We are committed to a winning future and appreciate your passion and support.

Sincerely,

Toronto FC
// All For One

I can't make the town halls but I hope some of you guys do.

I am going tomorrow

I am going tomorrow

Looking forward to your blog about it Tim. I hope you get to ask a question, I highly doubt there will be anyone there who can speak over you... John Crosby isn't a ssh is he? ;)

Anselmi is going to be on the FAN 590 in a minute to talk about this.

McCown being a douche as per usual.

McCown being a douche as per usual.

"A buck or two extra a game isn't the issue here" - Anselmi

Totally out of touch. Maybe the 'town hall' meetings will bring his awareness of what's going on up.

He called the per game price increase "...tweaking..." if you can believe it.

His entire message was that the fans were mostly upset about the extra CONCACAF games in the package. I know they read these boards.

How they can be this obtuse simply amazes me sometimes.

after that interview i have no faith in anselmi
can't wait to hear who these consultants are.

A buck or 2 a game was not really much of an issue in year 2 or year 3, but after a 4th consecutive year of shitty football and total fuckery in the mgmt of the club it is uncalled for.

Maybe they should try the 'pay what you think it's worth' method and see what ppl really think.

The CCL was a bigger issue for those people who didn't buy tickets for it this year.

What it said on boards matters to us and matters in terms of supporters culture but it's of little importance to these kinds of business decisions.

This PR scramble is about people in the expensive seats not renewing. People getting invoices for thousands of dollars. Yes I know that some of us, including you, are also in those expensive seats but most of us are not.

That said if they think they can spin their way through these meetings they might not get the response they are looking for. Inadequate responses are just going to result in STHs feeling more disaffected.

S.

This post has been edited by Soldeed on Oct 13 2010, 03:50 PM

:lol: , like that Brit movie theatre. that's funny.


and, yeah, soldeed, judging by the comments on the post that bgnewf put up, people have turrrrrrnnnnnned on them. (i almost never read comments on things, so maybe that's the way it usually goes. still...lots of griping. hardcore griping)

Not sure I entirely agree that it is of little importance ...... If that is how they view it then they are making a mistake.

I do concede that the impact of losing expensive renewals far outweighs the financial impact of how a few or even a few hundred refuseniks might affect the supporters section. TFC would easily sell those seats to anyone looking to relocate from more expensive seats or from the waiting list.

However, as TFC have built a large portion of their brand on the backs of the passionate support emanating from the areas of the stadium populated by U-Sector, RedPatch, NEE or any of the other supporters groups then anything they do to erode those groups in terms of passion or loyalty also erodes their brand.

Picture it in 10 years time (or less) ... the supporters groups, once passionate and loyal have been shat upon from a great height each and every year and as time passes many members have drifted away or have been priced out of the game .... TFC can still sell and fill 112, 113 etc so they wont care financially, but the replacement fans prefer to sit and be 'happy clappers' instead of standing, chanting and generally being the raucous & passionate group that we are now.

As a result, all this branding and the buzz from casual fans who have heard about 'the experience' and want to be part of it now counts for nothing. It is just another half-filled MLS stadium filled with casual observers and a dwindling band of original supporters' group members. not something I ever want to see !!!!!!

McCown being a douche as per usual.

"A buck or two extra a game isn't the issue here" - Anselmi

I look forward to him saying this on Wednesday. I really do.


What I would like is a commitment (maybe 5 years) to not increase prices over X% a year.

I also think we, as a group/generally people of the South End, should have a big problem with this notion that South End tickets are undervalued and should be subjected to much greater percentage increase than any other section.