With the likelihood of Tigers members increasing every year, Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys believes that the time is nigh for Leichhardt Oval, to become a member’s only venue.
This comes after Humphreys said that the Tigers Round 1 clash against the Sharks is nearing a sell-out, despite tickets yet to go on sale to the general public.
With the interest in the game constantly rising, the Tigers have offered a 1-game membership package for those who wish to attend, with Humphreys saying that the club has enjoyed successful sales as a result.
”We have had our biggest day of membership sales today,” he said last night.
”We will see how they go over the next few days and if they are not all gone we will put some tickets on public sale later in the week but at this stage the response has been terrific.”
Should Tigers members secure all the seats at Leichhardt Oval, Humphreys had one message for those Shark fans eager to watch the clash between Benji Marshall and Todd Carney: ”They’ll have to watch it on Foxtel or Channel Nine.”
Whilst Tigers memberships are increasing, this latest GA package has some supporters seething – but despite that, Humphreys hopes for a steady growth in membership sales every year.
‘I do think we are approaching that day when Leichhardt games are members only, which would be great for Wests Tigers but not so good for opposing fans,” he said.
”At some point I would expect that we would have members-only fixtures at all our Leichhardt and Campbelltown games.
”Whether this one does or not … we are still building towards that but I think that day will certainly come as our membership grows. This game will certainly go close, at least.”
Despite it being a hindrance for many fans, in order to guarantee one’s seat, Humphreys says that the only way fans can do that, is if they pay for a $65 membership package, for 1 game.
”Regrettably, we don’t get too many Sunday afternoon games at Leichhardt, and here we have one for round one, so there is a lot of interest in it,” he said.
”For a modest $65, they also get a whole range of member benefits and become a paid-up, proud member of the club. We have sold hundreds of them today and the response has been terrific.
”We have sold out Leichhardt a few times over the last two or three years, so I am really hopeful that people get that message that to avoid disappointment and guarantee their ticket, membership is the way to go.”