Written by Smithy on July 18th, 2009
The Scotland Travel Club, also known as the STC, was formed by the Scotland Football Association in the early 1980's. The main purpose of the club was to provide match tickets to Scotland fans for away matches and to reward those who travelled regularly. It also gave fans priority when booking home game tickets. Before the club was formed, away tickets were distributed via the SFA. There was no membership system in existence.
In the first year of existence there were about 100 members. The first set of membership numbers were allocated alphabetically. We know from a security lapse in 2007 that member number 3 was still active and travelled to France. Rumour has it that member numbers 1 and 2 were a set of twins.
Membership always ran on a 2 year cycle. Membership started in January – join in November and your membership ran out in January. To join cost a one of fee of £10, and then £20 every other year.
By the year 2000 the membership number had reached 24,000 and by 2001 there were 15,000 active members. By 2005 the number of active members had reached 17,000.
Many will heave heard of Marjory Nimmo from the STC. Marjory ran the club for most of it’s life, and people often said she knew most people by name. If there was an issue, you knew Marjory would be able to help.
During the time of the STC, the SFA had an official travel agent called Scotball Travel and Leisure. Scotball arranged the official travel for the SFA and would usually run trips for STC members. At the time they were actually based in the offices of the STC and shared email and telephone numbers. Many fans travelled with Scotball the last time Scotland played in the World Cup in France 98. This seems to have been Scotballs last trip - many fans had bad experiences.
In 2006 the STC was replaced by the Scotland Supporters Club.
Posted in: General Tartan Army
Written by Smithy on July 16th, 2009
The Scotland Supporters Club have announced they no longer require proof of travel in order to qualify for an away match point.
Members travelling with official match tickets for the last few years have had to produce documentation that they actually travelled in order to qualify for a point. Recently the SSC tightened this requirement that it had to be something official, with your name on it, and that actually proved you travelled. eTickets, like those supplied by Ryanair and Easyjet weren't accepted as they could be easily forged. A hotel receipt had to mention your name. Photocopies not accepted.
It seems a large number of members had great difficulty proving they travelled to Amsterdam due to these tight rules. With Norway coming up there would be even more issues as it's mainly the discount airlines that fly in.
The SSC were suggesting members ask the hotel for an official letter confirming the names of the pople that stayed in the hotel. This seems very impracticle especially for those staying in youth hostels.
Many members could see this was going to be an issue and asked to physically pick up their tickets in Norway. Unfortunately the SSC rejected this and said any member with a UK address would have to have them posted out to their home address.
Good to see the SSC have relented on this and will no longer require proof of travel.
Posted in: Scottish FA
Written by Smithy on July 15th, 2009
SSC members are reminded that applications for tickets to see the upcoming Scotland V Macedonia and Scotland V Netherlands games is this Friday 17th July at 11:59pm.
Tickets can be booked through Ticketline - http://www.ticketlink.co.uk/sscticketing
The public ballot or sale of tickets is likely to begin in the next week. The SFA may choose to run a ballot again for tickets to prevent their website and telephone systems crashing as soon as they go on sale.
Meanwhile all SSC tickets for the Norway V Scotland match have been sold. Some members of the Tartan Army Message oard have been successfully in obtaining Norway end tickets. Some of these tickets are in the sections either side of the Scotland Section.
Posted in: Home Matches
Written by Smithy on July 14th, 2009
Diadora's UK division announced on Monday that it was going in to liquidation. Current members of staff have been made redundant and a receiver has been appointed.
Diadora have been supplying Scotland shirts for the past 7 years and had one more year to run on it's £1 million a year contract. Once the company went in to liquidation the SFA terminated the contract.
The SFA have added their name to a list of creditors of Diadora in the hope of recovering part of the final year instalment.
The SFA have confirmed they've enough shirts to last them through the current qualification games later this year which includes Norway, Macedonia and the Netherlands. Some readers may remember when Fila went bust back in 2002 - the SFA had to remove strips from their own shop in the Hampden Museum in order to provide enough tops for the games.
It's believed the SFA have started negotiations with other suppliers who may be interested in supplying the Scotland national kit. Names in the hat include Umbro, Reebok, Puma and Nike.
It's also been announced that the Scotland Rugby Union (SRU) supplier Caterbury has also gone in to administration.
Live eBay listings at 7:47am 22 May 2012
Posted in: Scottish FA
Written by Smithy on July 8th, 2009
The SFA have finally announced the venue for the Japan v Scotland friendly in October. There had been fears that the game was going to be cancelled, or held somewhere in Europe. Fans had even threatened to sue the SFA should the game not go ahead in Japan.
Japan v Scotland
Saturday 10 October, 2009
Nissan Stadium Yokohama
Time - evening tbc
The SSC are still working out ticket details at the moment.
Posted in: Japan
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