Don't Forget Your Tickets

Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, Clare Kenny

Don' Forget Your Tickets is a podcast devoted to the unsung heroes of the spectator sports and events industries, the Ticketing Managers. We explore who they are, their well-guarded industry secrets, and how they entered the field. Beyond that, we delve into a broader ticketing realm, inviting experts from various fields to share their insights and stories. Our primary aim is to add value and highlight deserving individuals.

  1. vor 1 Tag

    The Business of Football: No Filter! - Part 2 - with Dr. Giambattista Rossi, Birkbeck University of London

    How did English football go from one of the most dangerous sporting environments in the world to the most commercially powerful league on the planet? The answer starts with tragedy, and with a government that told football it had to change or face closure. In part two of this special two-part episode of Don't Forget Your Ticket, host Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg continues his conversation with Dr. Giambattista Rossi, Senior Lecturer at Birkbeck Business School, University of London. Where part one examined the economics of superstar signings and the structural decline of Italian football, part two widens the lens to England and beyond: the painful history that forced English football to rebuild itself, the wave of American ownership reshaping the Premier League, the Saudi Arabian experiment, and the question of where the global game goes from here. Giambattista is as direct in this episode as he was in the first. Why did Hillsborough and Bradford change everything about how English football is run? Why did the Glazers get it so wrong at Manchester United while Liverpool and Arsenal got it right? What does a conversation with the chief revenue officer of Ronaldo's Saudi club reveal about the limits of money without culture? And why does he see Multi-Club Ownership as becoming, in his own words, a bit of a curse for the sport? For a podcast rooted in the commercial and ticketing realities of sport, this episode is where the argument lands. The Premier League's dominance was built on a deliberate reinvention of the matchday experience: who it was for, what it cost, and what it felt like to be there. That transformation carried a price, and lower-league clubs and women's football are now absorbing the fans the top end has priced out. The connection between ownership strategy, community identity and what fans actually experience in the stadium has never been more important to understand. In this episode, we cover: How the Premier League was really built: The Hillsborough and Bradford disasters, the Taylor Report, and the deliberate repositioning of English football from a working-class product to a middle-class one, and why understanding that history is the only way to understand the present. American owners in England: Why the Glazers at Manchester United got it so wrong, why Liverpool and Arsenal got it right, and why Chelsea's new ownership was a total disaster on the pitch, despite deep pockets. The Saudi Arabia experiment: Why Giambattista calls it a chimera, what a conversation with the chief revenue officer of Ronaldo's club revealed about contracts, culture, and the limits of money without infrastructure, and why empty stands at an Italian Cup Final in Riyadh said everything. The real England: Why local clubs are the oldest monuments in their communities, why fans are increasingly turning to women's football for the atmosphere the Premier League has priced out, and what English football risks losing if it does not protect that connection. The future of the global game: Why the MLS is on track to enter the top five, why collective bargaining agreements are coming to football, and why Multi-Club Ownership, for all its financial logic, is becoming, in Giambattista's words, a bit of a curse for the sport. Whether you follow the Premier League, work in sports business, or are fascinated by how commercial forces and community identity collide inside football clubs, this episode gives you a clear framework for what is actually happening and where it is heading. If you have not listened to part one yet, start there. *** Guest: Dr. Giambattista Rossi, Senior Lecturer, Birkbeck Business School, University of London Host: Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, Don't Forget Your Ticket Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

    23 Min.
  2. 1. Juli

    The Business of Football: No Filter! - Part 1 - with Dr. Giambattista Rossi, Birkbeck University of London

    What does a football club actually buy when it signs a global superstar? Is it results, a bigger brand, or both? And when that calculation goes wrong, what does it cost the club for years to come? In this special two-part episode of Don’t Forget Your Ticket, host Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg sits down with Dr. Giambattista Rossi, Senior Lecturer at Birkbeck Business School, University of London and one of the most candid voices in football economics today. Part one opens with the economics of signing superstars, drawing on lessons from American sport, before turning to Italian football: its structural decline, its identity crisis, and the stories of clubs that invested heavily in star power and paid a far higher price than expected. Giambattista brings an economist’s rigour and an insider’s directness to questions the football world often prefers to leave unanswered. Why is Italian football increasingly irrelevant on the global stage? How did the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo set Juventus on a path from the epitome of stability to the epitome of instability? Why do Inter Milan and AC Milan (two of the most recognised brands in world football) still lack proper owners? And is Como’s rise a genuine model for others to follow, or a story that only works as long as the money keeps flowing? For a podcast rooted in the commercial and ticketing realities of sport, this conversation addresses something every club must eventually face: the relationship between what happens on the pitch, who owns the club, and what that means for the fans in the seats. When financial decisions are driven by real estate ambitions, capital gains targets, and ownership structures that treat football as a secondary concern, the matchday experience (and the commercial ecosystem around it) pays the price. In this episode, we cover: The superstar economics question: What clubs are really buying when they sign a global name, why football’s collective nature makes individual productivity harder to measure than in American sport, and how clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid have built entirely different strategies around it. Italian football’s arrogance problem: How decades of assumed superiority, shifting demographics, and a financial model built on media money that no longer exists have combined to leave Italian football in a deepening crisis. The Juventus and Ronaldo story: Why the signing was a complete outlier in Juventus’s recruitment culture, why their sporting director walked out over it, and how the chain of events that followed brought one of Europe’s most stable clubs to the epitome of instability. Investment funds as owners: Why Inter Milan and AC Milan are still controlled by financial institutions rather than genuine football owners, and what that signals about the real depth of the crisis in Italian club football. Como: fairy tale or illusion? Why Giambattista refuses to call it a model, and why the question of what happens when the owner leaves is the only one that really matters. If you work in sport, follow football, or are interested in the commercial and economic forces shaping how clubs operate and how fans engage with them, this episode is essential listening. Subscribe now so you don’t miss part two.  * Guest: Dr. Giambattista Rossi, Senior Lecturer, Birkbeck Business School, University of London Host: Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, Don’t Forget Your Ticket Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

    35 Min.
  3. 26. Mai

    Ambition, Attendance and Community Growth - with Spencer Gore, Owner and CEO of Chelmsford City FC

    What does it take to buy your local football club, clear its debts, grow its fanbase, and aim for the Premier League by 2038? In this episode of Don't Forget Your Ticket, host Clare Kenny sits down with Spencer Gore, owner, chairman and group CEO of Chelmsford City Football Club. Spencer’s story is far from typical. After building a successful medical publishing business, he turned a long-held personal ambition into reality by buying his hometown club and committing himself to its future on and off the pitch. This is a fascinating conversation about what modern football ownership really looks like below the top tiers. Spencer shares how Chelmsford City went from being an unloved club carrying inherited debt to one with renewed momentum, stronger attendances, and bold long-term plans. He speaks candidly about the pressure, cost and unpredictability of running a football club, while keeping a clear focus on leaving it in a better place than he found it. Clare and Spencer also explore the bigger picture behind the headlines: what sustainable growth looks like in non-league football, why fan engagement matters as much as recruitment, and how data, community identity and matchday experience all play a role in building a club that can climb. Whether or not Chelmsford reaches the Premier League by its centenary year, this episode offers a sharp, honest look at ambition in action. In this episode, we cover: From business to football ownership: How Spencer went from building a global publishing business to buying his local club and turning a personal dream into a serious long-term project.Financial reset and club rebuild: Why clearing inherited debt was an early priority and how Chelmsford City has been put on a stronger footing financially.Premier League by 2038: The thinking behind Spencer’s bold centenary ambition, with milestones for reaching the National League and the Football League first.Fans, growth and community identity: How direct supporter engagement, affordable ticketing and a family-friendly atmosphere have helped drive a major rise in attendances.Recruitment, data and the next step: Why smarter player recruitment, stronger football structures and better fan data are central to Chelmsford’s future growth.If you’re interested in football, sports business, fan engagement, and how clubs grow from the ground up, this episode is well worth your time. Tune in for an honest and ambitious conversation about leadership, community, and the realities of building a football club for the long term. Make sure to subscribe. Guest: Spencer Gore – Owner, Chairman and Group CEO, Chelmsford City Football Club Host: Clare Kenny – Don't Forget Your Ticket Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

    32 Min.
  4. 15. Mai

    Ticketing Manager of the Year Special: Inside Matchday with the 2025 winners Andy Gate of Oxford City FC, Ollie Gout of Dorking Wanderers FC, and Sarah Rowntree of Hartlepool United FC

    What does great ticketing look like when you’re the person making matchday happen under pressure every single week? In this special edition of Don’t Forget Your Tickets, host Clare Kenny sits down with the three winners of the 2025 Ticketing Manager of the Year Awards: Andy Gate of Oxford City Football Club, Ollie Gout of Dorking Wanderers Football Club, and Sarah Rowntree of Hartlepool United Football Club. Together, they share an honest, funny, and insightful look at the realities of running ticketing operations at football clubs where no two matchdays are ever the same. Published on the same day that public voting opens for the 2026 Ticketing Manager of the Year shortlist, this episode shines a light on the people behind the turnstiles, the inbox, the data, and the fan journey. From last-minute headaches and player ticket requests to long-term strategy and supporter loyalty, Clare explores what it really takes to deliver a better experience for fans. This is a conversation about more than ticket sales. It’s about community, innovation, accessibility, women in football, and the legacy ticketing professionals can leave behind when they help make clubs more welcoming, more responsive, and more connected to their supporters. In this episode, we cover: Matchday Pressure: The early starts, last-minute changes, and unpredictable problems that ticketing managers handle before most fans even arrive.How They Fell Into Ticketing: The very different career journeys that brought Andy, Ollie, and Sarah into football operations and supporter experience.Fan Experience and Innovation: Why flexibility, affordability, subscriptions, and smarter systems matter for modern clubs and modern supporters.Supporter Data That Makes a Difference: How better data can help clubs understand loyalty, personalise offers, and improve matchday for different types of fans.Community Outreach and Club Identity: From grassroots engagement to youth initiatives and fan-first thinking, how clubs build lifelong connections beyond the ticket office.Women in Football: Sarah reflects on her journey in the game, the progress being made, and the importance of creating pathways for women and girls in football.Collaboration Between Clubs: How ticketing teams work together, especially around high-demand fixtures, away allocations, and supporter safety.The Legacy of This Era: What each guest hopes people will say they got right 10 years from now, from removing barriers to making football more accessible and community-led.Whether you work in sports ticketing, run fan operations, or want a closer look at the people shaping supporter experience behind the scenes, this episode offers practical insight and real perspective from three of the best in the business. Tune in to hear from the 2025 winners, and don’t forget to cast your vote as the 2026 Ticketing Manager of the Year public voting opens today. Make sure to subscribe. Guests: Andy Gate – Oxford City Football Club; Ollie Gout – Dorking Wanderers Football Club; Sarah Rowntree – Hartlepool United Football Club Host: Clare Kenny – Don’t Forget Your Tickets Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

    34 Min.
  5. 8. Apr.

    Multi-Club Ownership and Community Roots, with Steve Curwood, CEO of Fleetwood Town FC and Waterford FC

    How do you run two distinct football clubs in different countries while keeping their local community heartbeat alive? We explore the realities of modern football management with Steve Curwood, Chief Executive of both Fleetwood Town FC (EFL League Two) and Waterford FC (League of Ireland). From navigating the English Football League to driving growth across the Irish Sea, Steve operates at a fascinating intersection of sport, strategy, and community impact. In this episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Clare Kenny sits down with Steve to unpack how modern clubs evolve. Steve shares his journey from the banking sector to the football boardroom, offering a candid look at the challenges and opportunities of multi-club ownership. He explains how Brexit forced a shift in recruitment strategy, leading to a unique partnership that respects the fierce independence of both fanbases while sharing vital resources. In this episode, we cover: The Multi-Club Reality: How Brexit shaped Fleetwood’s expansion into Ireland and the delicate balance of running two independent, community-driven clubs.Rising Tides in Ireland: The current boom in the League of Ireland, the impact of European football, and the untapped goldmine of academy infrastructure.Sustainable Strategy: Navigating EFL salary protocols, the role of an independent regulator, and why developing talent internally beats chaotic spending.Community Identity: How to maintain a tight-knit, hardworking family culture as a football club scales.Modernising Matchday: The journey to update legacy ticketing systems, better understand supporter habits, and create a seamless fan experience.Whether you run a football club, work in sports business, or simply love the mechanics behind the beautiful game, this episode delivers deep insights into what makes a club thrive off the pitch. Tune in to discover how to build a resilient, community-first football network! Make sure to subscribe. Guest: Steve Curwood – CEO, Fleetwood Town FC & Waterford FC Host: Clare Kenny – Don't Forget Your Tickets Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

    38 Min.
  6. 27. März

    From Stockport County CEO to Academia: Ryan McKnight on the Future of Football Fandom

    Football fandom is much more than a weekend pastime—it is a lifelong, intergenerational commitment that shapes our identity. Yet, the modern sports industry often treats loyal supporters as simple consumers. In this episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Carl-Erik Moberg sits down with Ryan McKnight, a former football club CEO turned academic researcher. Drawing from his frontline experience running Stockport County and his current PhD research, Ryan challenges our current understanding of fan engagement. He argues for a paradigm shift that redefines fandom as a "cradle to the grave" experience, rooted in community, tradition, and authentic connection. Ryan strips away the transactional nature of modern football to explore how clubs of all sizes can foster deeper, more meaningful bonds with their communities without relying purely on on-pitch success. In this episode, we cover: Redefining Fandom: Why being a supporter is an active, lifelong pursuit rather than a simple consumer choice.Rethinking the Season Ticket: The challenges of modern fan engagement and the shift toward long-term, intergenerational relationships.The Power of Storytelling: How clubs can leverage their unique history and local pride to create unbreakable bonds.Community and Identity: Real-world examples, like Bohemians FC, that showcase the impact of shared values and authentic narratives.The Future of Ticketing: How industry professionals can actively shape a better, more connected future for the sport.Whether you manage a club, work in sports ticketing, or simply love the beautiful game, this episode offers a fresh, thought-provoking perspective on what it truly means to be a supporter. Listen to the episode now and subscribe to Don't Forget Your Tickets for more expert industry insights! Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

    31 Min.
  7. 10. März

    From Likes to Lifelong Fans with Grant Russell, Arenametrix & Partick Thistle

    What transforms a football club from a simple team into the beating heart of a community? How can a club’s history, values, and local pride be harnessed to build a truly unbreakable bond with its supporters? We explore the art and science of modern fan engagement with a leading voice in the football industry, Grant Russell. With a rich background spanning broadcasting, top-flight club media at West Ham United and Motherwell, and now as a director at Partick Thistle and a key figure in Arenametrix’s UK expansion, Grant’s journey provides a masterclass in connecting with fans on a deeper level. In this episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Carl-Erik Moberg sits down with Grant to unravel the strategic thinking behind authentic club storytelling. Grant shares powerful insights on moving beyond vanity metrics and using narrative to drive genuine, sustainable growth for clubs of any size. Grant is a proponent of building a club's identity from the ground up. He argues that in an era of fleeting social media trends, the most powerful content is rooted in a club's fundamental truths. His approach strips away the chase for viral moments, focusing instead on the stories that resonate in the hearts and minds of the fanbase. We explore his "Four Ps" framework for fan connection—Product, Place, People, and Principles—and discuss why these pillars are crucial for keeping supporters engaged, especially those who may have moved away but still hold the club dear. In this episode, we cover: The Strategy Gap: Why many club media departments operate without a clear strategic purpose and how to connect content directly to revenue.Quality Over Quantity: Grant’s argument for shifting focus from a constant stream of content to fewer, more impactful stories that truly represent the club’s identity.Beyond Vanity Metrics: The journey from a viral video hit at Motherwell to understanding what really constitutes successful engagement and long-term fan value.The Four Ps of Fan Connection: A breakdown of the core reasons fans support their clubs (Product, Place, People, Principles) and how to use them as a storytelling vehicle.Data as a Gold Mine: How clubs are sitting on a wealth of data and the untapped potential it holds for increasing attendance, revenue, and sponsor value.Authentic Storytelling: Why the best stories are often the ones already being told by fans, and how clubs like Como and Motherwell excel by tapping into local, human-centred narratives.Whether you're involved in running a football club, work in sports marketing, or are simply fascinated by what creates loyalty in the modern game, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Tune in to hear how to turn your club's unique identity into its greatest asset! Guest: Grant Russell – Director, Partick Thistle FC & Arenametrix Host: Carl-Erik Moberg – Don't Forget Your Tickets Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

    36 Min.
  8. 26. Feb.

    Marc White, Dorking Wanderers FC: Dreaming Big and Building Success One Step at a Time

    What does it take to turn a kickabout in the park with friends into a professional football club knocking on the door of the Football League?  We dive into one of the most extraordinary stories in British football with a true visionary, Marc White. From the 17th tier to the National League, Marc’s journey with Dorking Wanderers FC is a masterclass in ambition, grit, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. In this episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Carl-Erik Moberg sits down with the man who is simultaneously the founder, chairman, and manager of Dorking Wanderers. Marc shares the incredible tale of how a £50 buy-in from his mates evolved into a club with its own stadium, a die-hard community, and a trajectory that defies all footballing logic. Marc isn’t just a football manager; he’s a phenomenon. Known for his brutal honesty and unfiltered passion, he has become a social media sensation, with the hit series Bunch of Amateurs garnering millions of views worldwide. His approach strips away the PR polish often found in modern sport, revealing the raw, human side of building a legacy from scratch. We explore the unique culture he has instilled at Meadowbank, how he balances the business of football with the pressures of the dugout, and why 12 promotions in 23 years is just the beginning. In this episode, we cover: From the Park to the Pros: How Marc founded the club in 1999 and navigated the lower echelons of the football pyramid to reach the National League South.The Power of Authenticity: Why Marc’s transparent, no-nonsense leadership style resonates with millions of fans globally.Building a Community Hub: The story behind regenerating Meadowbank Stadium and creating a commercial model that supports the club’s rapid growth.Viral Success: A look at Bunch of Amateurs and how digital storytelling propelled a non-league club onto the world stage.Chasing the Next Ace: Marc discusses his "one step at a time" philosophy and his ultimate ambition to lead Dorking into the Football League (League Two).Whether you’re a football romantic, a business leader looking for inspiration, or just love a proper underdog story, this episode is proof that with enough passion and hard work, no dream is too big. Tune in to hear from the most electrifying character in non-league football! Guest: Marc White – Founder, Chairman & Manager, Dorking Wanderers FC Host: Carl-Erik Moberg – Don't Forget Your Tickets Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

    23 Min.

Info

Don' Forget Your Tickets is a podcast devoted to the unsung heroes of the spectator sports and events industries, the Ticketing Managers. We explore who they are, their well-guarded industry secrets, and how they entered the field. Beyond that, we delve into a broader ticketing realm, inviting experts from various fields to share their insights and stories. Our primary aim is to add value and highlight deserving individuals.

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