S t 1000 - Page 9

andyd · 09-07-2014, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whalley Red

A sad, but inevitable move IMO.

But let's face it, we didn't get hundreds of new walk-ons when we were offering tickets at £10 or £15. And when we did, the most common comment from the walk-ons near me were grumblings about the facilities.

The financial security of the Club has to be paramount, so this was an inevitable decision. However, it has to be coupled with an improvement in the basic facilities for those that do pay the money, else we will be talking about losing season-ticker holders in the future, not just walk-ons.

This will be our 9th season in League Two, so having non-league facilities because we rose up the non-league pyramid so fast is no longer valid.

Have to agree with you, we now need some kind of statement from the club following Mr Marsdens comments about new investment in the ground to follow these price hikes and some kind of commitment to improve the facilities.

Chimer · 09-07-2014, 17:51

As someone who usually only sees the boys at away matches in the South, I'll feel slightly less robbed by the £20+ prices which are common down here

Though I have to admit the facilities are usually better

I doubt the increase will have much impact on away numbers coming to the Crown (if I can make an away game the price doesn't stop me, just annoys me a bit), so we should wind up taking more from the oppo's fans. If this outweighs lost walk-ons, I suppose it's the right decision.

cashman · 09-07-2014, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimer

As someone who usually only sees the boys at away matches in the South, I'll feel slightly less robbed by the £20+ prices which are common down here

Though I have to admit the facilities are usually better

I doubt the increase will have much impact on away numbers coming to the Crown (if I can make an away game the price doesn't stop me, just annoys me a bit), so we should wind up taking more from the oppo's fans. If this outweighs lost walk-ons, I suppose it's the right decision.

Was thinking along that line meself, when the price was reduced to virtually peanuts, it didn't really attract many extra walk ons i thought. so summat had to give, seems that point has been reached, common sense to me really.

sparkie · 09-07-2014, 18:18

Well, the price rise for the flexi ticket has made that particular option a little pricey to be honest now for me, a season ticket was not worth it either due to other commitments and the new walk on prices mean there will be very few, if any opportunities for us to attend this season.

Given the fact that Emily was looking forward to coming a few times this season because one of her school friends goes regularly, I have a feeling I'll have a very upset little girl on my hands come the start of the season.

Sadly at these prices coming to stanley is now more expensive than a family day out at the zoo! Gutted!

DAV007 · 09-07-2014, 18:27

When is the flexi ticket available to purchase?

DaveinGermany · 09-07-2014, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkie

Sadly at these prices coming to stanley is now more expensive than a family day out at the zoo! Gutted!

Does the club not do a family ticket? And if not shouldn't someone be looking at making it an option?

Last season we took my sisters nippers to see Coventry at Sixfields, we only paid GBP 40,00 (2 Adults + 2 Kids) all in & previous seasons at the Ricoh we paid GBP 50,00 as far as I can recall.

sparkie · 09-07-2014, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveinGermany

Does the club not do a family ticket? And if not shouldn't someone be looking at making it an option?

Last season we took my sisters nippers to see Coventry at Sixfields, we only paid GBP 40,00 (2 Adults + 2 Kids) all in & previous seasons at the Ricoh we paid GBP 50,00 as far as I can recall.

For my husband , myself and Emily next season it will cost us £45. Unfortunately this doesnt constitute good value for us as we also end up spending aproximately £10 on food and drinks etc. Its an expensive afternoon out sadly.

Unless ive missed something (which is entirely possible!) the club dont currently do family tickets, and if they do they would normally be for 2 + 2.

Its all just a bit dissappointing for me really given ive been going on as often as finances allow for 25 years! Lol unfortunately finances just dont stretch far enough nowadays.

andyd · 09-07-2014, 19:25

How many season tickets + flexy tickets have we sold so far anybody know and anybody thinking about coming a lot the season tickets still good value should the club think about flexible payments for these as well to help people who could struggle to pay upfront.

Outback Ozzy · 09-07-2014, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkie

For my husband , myself and Emily next season it will cost us £45. Unfortunately this doesnt constitute good value for us as we also end up spending aproximately £10 on food and drinks etc. Its an expensive afternoon out sadly.

Unless ive missed something (which is entirely possible!) the club dont currently do family tickets, and if they do they would normally be for 2 + 2.

Its all just a bit dissappointing for me really given ive been going on as often as finances allow for 25 years! Lol unfortunately finances just dont stretch far enough nowadays.

Whilst I sympathise with you and Pete, surely though aren't the club doing kids for a quid, or is there a remote possibility of Emily getting a free season ticket? Although reduces the walk on to only £41 as you rightly say, with food it is still an expensive afternoon. Folk in the north west are not renowned for being the highest paid people. Like you, I will get on as and when, but it won't be that often. Plus as we are away for 5 weeks over the Christmas/New Year period, I would also miss a good few games. Hope to see you there at some time over the coming season.

Chewbacca · 09-07-2014, 19:40

Maybe a few more season tickets would have be sold at the April early price of £200 if it was know all league games would be £20?

The price rises are likely to reduce the crowd but away fans may be less price sensitive if a £92 day out costs £95 or £97, but the jump for an average match of £5 for Stanley fans (including fans of other clubs who watch Stanley as a second club or just for something to do) may drive them into one of the many pubs in the town that tend to show every match in the world including 3pm Saturday kick-offs.

As the support is relatively inelastic it makes sense to increase prices and increase revenue, but it doesn't help growing the fan base which is needed for the club to stand on its own feet in the long term.

Having water in the toilets and not locking the turnstiles early may help with attendances.

sparkie · 09-07-2014, 19:41

On the flexi ticket release it says accompanied under 12s are £5. Shes only 6 so she doesnt qualify for the school leavers season ticket and even if she did we still couldnt afford to go at £40 for me and Pete. Its sad but I fear we wont be seeing a game this season. Although hopefully we may get to the nelson preseason game.

andyd · 09-07-2014, 19:52

The problem the club as is I see it is they can,t please everybody I am quite fortunate I can go to every game and could probaly pay £20 a game but I get a season ticket every year this time it,s £200 early bird, £8-69 per match. You tell me what can the club do they promoted it quite well the early bird offer but everybody can,t go every game so they have to make some tough decisions.

deeayess · 09-07-2014, 21:31

I did consider flexitickets this year and may have at £100 but not £150 given the Friday games, winter games and rail works. At £20 a game I may even cut back on home games as that takes it to around £60 just for travel and ticket.

I probably won't renew my programme subscription either with the jump from £69 to £100 a season.

I know the prices are now on par with other clubs but often away games are easier and cheaper for me to get to plus there is the novelty of going somewhere different.

This may not have the desired results especially for people where stanley are a second club and once people get out of the way of going to the game it's hard to attract them back especially during the winter months.

I don't know what the answer is but for me it's not this.

sparkie · 09-07-2014, 21:42

I'm not questioning the value of season tickets Andy, just the value of match day walk ons. A season ticket is no good for my family we just wouldn't get to enough games and I appreciate that the club have tough decisions to make and that not everyone will be happy.

However, I do think that £20 is too expensive. It sort of negates the work being done in other areas, the school leavers season tickets for instance. How many people will take up that offer when they realise the price to escort their child?

Also for my family, even with the flexibility ticket it's still more expensive to go this season than last (£35 this, £31 on the turnstile last). My main worry is that match day income will reduce. For example, say we get 1000 adult home fans on average through the turnstiles per game, 400 is of those are season ticket holders (already paid, no extra income from match days), that leaves 600 people who are paying £20 on the day. Which granted looks good on paper as we increasing our gate income 33%. However if we loose just 150 of those we are making the exact same amount as we did last season at the lower prices.

I guess the big question is will we retain those 150 people or will we see the gates fall even lower than that? Will we lose the casual attenders, the rovers and burnley extras, the families we've managed to attract over the past couple of seasons. I guess only time will tell and I sincerely hope it works for the club as that extra £3000+ per home game would be great. Sadly however as a family it doesn't work for us so we won't be able to attend much if at all next season.

VALAIRIAN · 09-07-2014, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyd

How many season tickets + flexy tickets have we sold so far anybody know and anybody thinking about coming a lot the season tickets still good value should the club think about flexible payments for these as well to help people who could struggle to pay upfront.

We have done around 500 season tickets

There was also the option of spliting payments

Season Tickets - Accrington Stanley FC