Match Atmosphere

[bobbydazzla]

6 minutes ago, Hovagod said:

Surely tourists aren't becoming members and then getting lucky in the ballot? I appreciate it's a theoretical possibility, but that surely is not what's happening here?

 

I'd say it's absolutely the case. They just pay their £40 and they've got the same chance as anyone of getting a ticket.

 

I was in Lisbon and the title decider Sporting v Benfica derby was on. I would have loved to have gone to that and experienced the atmosphere of a winner wins the league derby.

If all I had to do to try and get a ticket was pay £40 and then I could enter a ballot, if that failed I could enter an online sale and if that failed then I could look for tickets via a resale, I would definitely have done it. 

 

But I couldn't because Benfica knew it would sell out and had put measures in place to stop people like me taking tickets off their real fans.

 

 

Edited March 12 by bobbydazzla

[Groundhog63]

2 minutes ago, bobbydazzla said:

 

I'd say it's absolutely the case. They just pay their £40 and they've got the same chance as anyone of getting a ticket.

 

I was in Lisbon and the title decider Sporting v Benfica derby was on. I would have loved to have gone to that and experience the atmosphere.

If all I had to do to try and get a ticket was pay £40 and then I could enter a ballot, if that failed I could enter an online sale and if that failed then I could look for tickets via a resale, I would definitely have done it. 

 

But I couldn't because Benfica had put measures in place to stop people like me taking tickets off their real fans.

 

Benfica don't play in "the best (lucrative)league in the world" tho mate

 

 

Edited March 12 by Groundhog63

[bobbydazzla]

Just now, Groundhog63 said:

 

Benfica don't play in "the best league in the world" tho mate

 

Benfica also don't treat their genuine match going fans like cunts, is what I discovered.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

47 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

You don't think £150 to watch a game of football in a standard (I assume) seat is that expensive? I think it's absolutely insane.

 

Oh yeah, sorry in isolation it's crazy but if you just want to experience a big CL game as a one-off purchase it's not so bad compared to what an ordinary fan pays. 

 

As bobby said, for the tourists its more comparable to going to a gig.

[Wallsendmag]

58 minutes ago, Dr.Spaceman said:

 

You don't think £150 to watch a game of football in a standard (I assume) seat is that expensive? I think it's absolutely insane.

 

Relative to the match, not really. You could pay a membership fee (£37) and then try your luck in a ballot where the chances of being able to get a (£70) ticket are minimal or just pay the £150 straight up and it's guaranteed.

 

Anyway it's totally fucked up now. What many of us predicted would happen when they changed the way they sell tickets has happened, and sadly people like NUST who could have put up some resistance were found sleeping at their post.

 

My next prediction is that loads of genuine members will chuck it in the summer. 

[Chicken Dancer]

When we've travelled abroad we've always had some of our lot in the home end like. In Leverkusen it was really noticeable, so I find it hard to be annoyed at any genuine Barca fans who've done the same - as long as they keep their heads down and don't be bellends it's just the way it is in European games. Neutrals is a different thing altogether.

 

It's always going to happen in Europe, but it doesn't detract from the fact that those tickets are being taken away from genuine NUFC fans.

[Interpolic]

The club are only interested in maximising revenue while mitigating any negative PR, they've done nothing in recent years to suggest otherwise. Some great suggestions and feedback on this board and elsewhere but everything points to them edging in the other direction. 

[bobbydazzla]

6 minutes ago, Interpolic said:

The club are only interested in maximising revenue while mitigating any negative PR, they've done nothing in recent years to suggest otherwise. Some great suggestions and feedback on this board and elsewhere but everything points to them edging in the other direction. 

 

The positive global PR from some arsewipe influencer who's a neutral but wanted film their SJP matchday experience and post it all over TikTok will massively outweigh the negative PR of The Chronicle saying genuine fans can't get tickets

 

 

Edited March 12 by bobbydazzla

[Superior Acuña]

My guess would be the vast majority of tourists buy them off resellers and are not members themselves - I think the inflated members will be the touts. Sites like LiveFootballTickets are well known by the sorts of people that would buy a ticket.

[LFEE]

On 11/03/2026 at 00:46, Danh1 said:

NUSC are a breath of fresh air - I was dubious at the start. 
 

Re the trust - different people now to the self serving, true faith cunts. They seem to help fans with ticketing issues etc and have a what’s app group afaik that helps with issues. Maybe @LFEE could provide a good insight. 

 

On 11/03/2026 at 00:48, Heron said:

Yeah. I suspect I'm being unfair on them. That whole debacle helped build but also destroy the trust it seems.

 

NUST is run by really good people donating their time for nothing. They are split between ST holders and Members (mainly members) having the same issues like those mentioned on here getting tickets or concerned about atmospheres and pricing etc. The WhatsApp groups are responsive and informative and moderated well. For £10 for a lifetime membership I’ve found it an absolute bargain. Even at £1 a year (?) a bargain. The True Faith influence is non-existent. I rarely even hear them referred to anywhere these days TBH.

 

I think the trouble with all these things is level of expectations of what any group can truly achieve or aiming to achieve.

 

Out of interest what do you get from the NUSC for £15 per year which is a breath of fresh air. Also out of interest why were you dubious of them to begin with?

[Wallsendmag]

NUSC offer cost price travel to all away games and organise fanzones/fan events like they are next week in Barcelona. Usually put boats on for Fulham away as well.

 

As they have no affiliation with the club that's about the limit of what they can do tbh.

[Danh1]

57 minutes ago, LFEE said:

 

 

NUST is run by really good people donating their time for nothing. They are split between ST holders and Members (mainly members) having the same issues like those mentioned on here getting tickets or concerned about atmospheres and pricing etc. The WhatsApp groups are responsive and informative and moderated well. For £10 for a lifetime membership I’ve found it an absolute bargain. Even at £1 a year (?) a bargain. The True Faith influence is non-existent. I rarely even hear them referred to anywhere these days TBH.

 

I think the trouble with all these things is level of expectations of what any group can truly achieve or aiming to achieve.

 

Out of interest what do you get from the NUSC for £15 per year which is a breath of fresh air. Also out of interest why were you dubious of them to begin with?

I’m not a member of NUSC but from the outside looking in, the away travel they out on which is very affordable is the main thing. Personally never travelled with them but my cousin has and he said it was great, he went to Leverkusen on the coach (fuck that!)

 

I was dubious because of the people involved (never judge a book by its cover) and that I was unsure of their intentions, I wasn’t sure if there was a gap for what I deemed to be another trust - at the time I had a very low opinion of the trust due to the people involved in that. 
 

[Earp]

1 hour ago, Superior Acuña said:

My guess would be the vast majority of tourists buy them off resellers and are not members themselves - I think the inflated members will be the touts. Sites like LiveFootballTickets are well known by the sorts of people that would buy a ticket.

I don't condone 3rd party sites at all, but i have used them in the past as it's been the only way of me getting to games having lost every ballot this season.

[Wallsendmag]

On 12/03/2026 at 11:45, LFEE said:

 

 

NUST is run by really good people donating their time for nothing. They are split between ST holders and Members (mainly members) having the same issues like those mentioned on here getting tickets or concerned about atmospheres and pricing etc. The WhatsApp groups are responsive and informative and moderated well. For £10 for a lifetime membership I’ve found it an absolute bargain. Even at £1 a year (?) a bargain. The True Faith influence is non-existent. I rarely even hear them referred to anywhere these days TBH.

 

I think the trouble with all these things is level of expectations of what any group can truly achieve or aiming to achieve.

 

Out of interest what do you get from the NUSC for £15 per year which is a breath of fresh air. Also out of interest why were you dubious of them to begin with?

 

Just reading on X there. In the last month NUSC have;

 

- Took 11 coaches to Aston Villa and 3 coaches to Man City
- Fanzone at Snobs 
- Advocated for members to get a loyalty point for Qarabag (a)
- Arranged fanzone in Baku
- Pushed the club to allocate initial Barcelona allocation
- Arranged two cost price flights to Barcelona 
- Arranged fanzone for 10,000+ supporters in Barcelona 
- Arranged two watch along venues for supporters without tickets 
- Attended workshops on memberships and NUFC Women

 

 

Some good work there tbf.

 

 

Edited March 13 by Wallsendmag

[LFEE]

5 hours ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

Just reading on X there. In the last month NUST have;

 

- Took 11 coaches to Aston Villa and 3 coaches to Man City
- Fanzone at Snobs 
- Advocated for members to get a loyalty point for Qarabag (a)
- Arranged fanzone in Baku
- Pushed the club to allocate initial Barcelona allocation
- Arranged two cost price flights to Barcelona 
- Arranged fanzone for 10,000+ supporters in Barcelona 
- Arranged two watch along venues for supporters without tickets 
- Attended workshops on memberships and NUFC Women

 

 

Some good work there tbf.

You could argue it’s the least you’d expect if bringing in a salary/income of £210,000 per annum mind 

 

They definitely have their place and have always tried to highlight the differences between NUST and NUSC to help with expectations. Just a shame some people can’t understand that 🤷🏼‍♂️ 

[Wallsendmag]

1 hour ago, LFEE said:

You could argue it’s the least you’d expect if bringing in a salary/income of £210,000 per annum mind 

 

They definitely have their place and have always tried to highlight the differences between NUST and NUSC to help with expectations. Just a shame some people can’t understand that 🤷🏼‍♂️ 

 

By that argument how much have NUST taken in subscriptions over the years, and what has been provided in return?

 

Tbf all that I've listed there in the space of 1 months work is superb going by all involved.

[LFEE]

52 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

By that argument how much have NUST taken in subscriptions over the years, and what has been provided in return?

 

Tbf all that I've listed there in the space of 1 months work is superb going by all involved.

Absolute minuscule in comparison with the majority having to go on producing official accounts as required. Do NUSC provide these out of interest?

 

Not wanting to get in a tit for tat as would come across as me favouring one massively over the other which is not the case as I repeat BOTH have their place.

 

If I was to be picky then I’d say they couldn’t lay sole claim to the Qarabag point or bigger Barcelona allocation but might trumpet it louder than others. 
 

The same day cost price flights where more than my 3 day trip including my travel, stay and match ticket with beer money left to spare. Again. Not a criticism as it would serve the purpose for many fans.

 

ALL groups attended the various workshops.

 

All venues arranged it’s slowly being noted their drinks prices seem to be much higher than the average available.

 

Fanzones are definitely where they seem to excel if Dortmund is what they replicate. Not really for me as I usually don’t look for home from home when abroad and like to go a bit more off the beaten track.

 

Don’t take this as knocking them though. I’m glad they provide a service which suite many like minded fans.

[Wallsendmag]

4 minutes ago, LFEE said:

Absolute minuscule in comparison with the majority having to go on producing official accounts as required. Do NUSC provide these out of interest?

 

Not wanting to get in a tit for tat as would come across as me favouring one massively over the other which is not the case as I repeat BOTH have their place.

 

If I was to be picky then I’d say they couldn’t lay sole claim to the Qarabag point or bigger Barcelona allocation but might trumpet it louder than others. 
 

The same day cost price flights where more than my 3 day trip including my travel, stay and match ticket with beer money left to spare. Again. Not a criticism as it would serve the purpose for many fans.

 

ALL groups attended the various workshops.

 

All venues arranged it’s slowly being noted their drinks prices seem to be much higher than the average available.

 

Fanzones are definitely where they seem to excel if Dortmund is what they replicate. Not really for me as I usually don’t look for home from home when abroad and like to go a bit more off the beaten track.

 

Don’t take this as knocking them though. I’m glad they provide a service which suite many like minded fans.

 

You seem to have as much beef with NUSC as you do with the average member mate 

 

I'll be honest and admit I think NUST are a waste of time.

[Wallsendmag]

Imagine having the brass neck to stand up in the Gallowgate for a Champions League match v Barcelona 

[LFEE]

1 minute ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

You seem to have as much beef with NUSC as you do with the average member mate 

 

I'll be honest and admit I think NUST are a waste of time.

Eh? Don’t know how you can come to either conclusion? Was asked to give a bit of insight on the NUST which I did. I was then drawn into giving balance between them both which I have. 
 

I’m a huge advocate of members personally. As ARE the NUST as pointed out many of the board are just that. I’m not part of the board to be clear.

 

As all my points have reiterated it depends what your expectations are from each group and some have either the wrong expectations or simply unfair ones.

 

I take it you are a member of the NUST? And you attend the meetings? And you are a member of their WhatsApp group? … for you to judge they are a waste of time?
 

 

 

[Wallsendmag]

6 minutes ago, LFEE said:

Eh? Don’t know how you can come to either conclusion? Was asked to give a bit of insight on the NUST which I did. I was then drawn into giving balance between them both which I have. 
 

I’m a huge advocate of members personally. As ARE the NUST as pointed out many of the board are just that. I’m not part of the board to be clear.

 

As all my points have reiterated it depends what your expectations are from each group and some have either the wrong expectations or simply unfair ones.

 

I take it you are a member of the NUST? And you attend the meetings? And you are a member of their WhatsApp group? … for you to judge they are a waste of time?
 

 

 

 

When they were first formed (and advertised as more of a protest group aimed at Mike Ashley iirc) I paid for 1 year (think it was a quid or 2 can't remember) rather than getting a lifetime membership as I wanted to see what they'd do and what their intentions were. Needless to say I didn't renew after a year and nothing they've done (or not done) since has persuaded me otherwise.

[LFEE]

8 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

When they were first formed (and advertised as more of a protest group aimed at Mike Ashley iirc) I paid for 1 year (think it was a quid or 2 can't remember) rather than getting a lifetime membership as I wanted to see what they'd do and what their intentions were. Needless to say I didn't renew after a year and nothing they've done (or not done) since has persuaded me otherwise.

So you are judging something they are not and arguably never should’ve been from 12 months many many years ago.

 

Chuck a £1 at it for 12 months and judge yourself 🤷🏼‍♂️

[Wallsendmag]

1 minute ago, LFEE said:

So you are judging something they are not and arguably never should’ve been from 12 months many many years ago.

 

Chuck a £1 at it for 12 months and judge yourself 🤷🏼‍♂️

 

They wouldn't get another penny off me pal. The supporter experience is currently at an all time low with this ballot farce, all these 3rd Party websites flogging tickets at daft prices, members getting a rough deal, away fans being able to infiltrate home ends, unpalatable ticket price hikes season after season, a declining atmosphere, seemingly no breakthrough in increased safe standing areas, fans being banned for extremely petty reasons etc etc

 

These are the things I'd expect a Supporters Trust to be going head to head with the club over but they just don't seem all that bothered.

[John P]

44 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

Imagine having the brass neck to stand up in the Gallowgate for a Champions League match v Barcelona 

I was in the Gallowgate for the Arsenal game last season, and two people behind me were asking me to sit down when I was standing up for decent chances we had. Couldn't believe what I was hearing 

[LFEE]

17 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

They wouldn't get another penny off me pal. The supporter experience is currently at an all time low with this ballot farce, all these 3rd Party websites flogging tickets at daft prices, members getting a rough deal, away fans being able to infiltrate home ends, unpalatable ticket price hikes season after season, a declining atmosphere, seemingly no breakthrough in increased safe standing areas, fans being banned for extremely petty reasons etc etc

 

These are the things I'd expect a Supporters Trust to be going head to head with the club over but they just don't seem all that bothered.

And that is where you are misguided. Alas you wouldn’t know due to reasons you’ve already laid out. I’ll leave it there.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 13 by LFEE