Over the past couple of seasons, a significant number of fans have joined the SA purely to benefit from ticket priority. Immediately following cup draws against Newcastle in 2010/11 and Spurs last season, the SA were faced with a massive demand for membership. This creates an administrative nightmare, and a risk to the existing membership in getting their tickets. Last season the SA did freeze membership following the 4th Round Cup draw, but not until over 200 fans had joined that afternoon/evening.
At this week’s AGM, the members accepted a proposal from the SA Committee that with effect from this coming season, membership will be frozen prior cup draws taking place, and the decision to re-open membership will only be made when we’ve had the opportunity to access, in conjunction with the Football Club, the impact of the draw.
Membership is well up on this time last season which is very encouraging, and the SA are delighted by the number of new members that see SA membership as a real benefit.