Season Ticket - Next Year?

[RoyalBlue]

<snip>.... Being that the £200 increase last year was to bring in players and strengthen the team which never really happened

<snip>?

seeing as we are 6th in the league and had 6 internationals + dave Kitson playing in the "fringe" team last night I don;t really think we can complain to much about the signing policy.

I don't think the complaint was about the signing policy; it was about the season ticket pricing policy, which was blamed on the need to have funds that haven't been required thanks to good work by Coppell, Hammond and co.

[RoyalBlue]

There is very little doubt in my mind that we will once again see a significant increase in ST prices next season.

If we do, I'm pretty certain that we won't see the same number of Season Ticket holders as we currently have - but if we do they certainly won't be the same people, and the number of juniors and seniors will decrease as well. The average age of supporters at Chelsea is 43, I believe (this isn't an attack on Chelsea, BTW- they're the only club I've seen the demographoc research for), and acroos the PL families and the "traditional" supporters are being replaced by middle-class, middle-aged, more affluent people - arguably to the detriment of the game.

I already know of a quite a few OAPs who were priced out this season, and a number of families who take it in turns to go to matches because they can't afford to all go to every game, and this unofficial "ST sharing" will probably become much more widespread if prices continue to go up.

Just look at the figures below and I defy anyone, anywhere, to come up with any argument that any price increases whatsoever can be defended, morally or financially.

Current Deal
Domestic rights : £1.024 billion
Highlights/radio/etc : £232 million
Overseas rights : £320 million
TOTAL : £1.575 billion

New Deal
Domestic rights : £1.7 billion
Highlights/radio/etc : £375 million
Overseas rights : £625 million
TOTAL : £2.7 billion

DIFFERENCE = £1.125 billion (over 3 years)

Given this, I really hope that STAR will finally fight toe to toe with the senior management of the club if shades is proven to be right.

[Platypuss]

Nige says (relating to the expansion):

"Pricing in the new seats will be important. We want to attract new fans, new season ticket holders and we hope to be inventive with schemes to get bums on seats."

OK, that's another season hence, but at least he seems to be saying the right things.

[Mr Optimist]

I seem to have the sam problem as a few people on here. I currently have a season ticket and one for my 5 year old son despite us now living 230 miles away in Colwyn Bay.

I could justify the £700 spend, just about, because of the importance of our first ever season in the top flight.

I cannot make every game and on top of the tickets is the cost of travelling etc at c.£50 in fuel each round trip and 8 hours in the car!

I may have to give my tickets up and an increase would certainly make my decision easier although I am contemplating "sharing" the season tickets 50/50 with another exile. Maybe this is something that the club could consider agreeing to...season tickets in joint names and dividing the royalty points 50/50 aswell as a consequence?

I would rather give my money to RFC than going to only the northern away games as this is not going to help RFC's coffers, only the opposition.

[working class hero]

Just look at the figures below and I defy anyone, anywhere, to come up with any argument that any price increases whatsoever can be defended, morally or financially.

I expect prices to rise to the 650 - 700 mark and this will be justified by the need to raise funds for the new ground extension.....

Sure it will force a lot more kids and OAPs out [same as this year]. The management won't care because there was no fuss this year and nor will there be one in the future. As long as individuals can afford tickets they [mainly] do not give a stuff for those in less favoured circumstances.

If they do go up it would be nice to see the club spending rather more on the team [and no I am not complaining about our position. SC is on a par with Wenger at spotting talent and has done a great job] since this year the reason for the rise was to compete at the top level - and this was just a rip-off....

Let's face facts the words price cut will lead to Mr M having a coronary.....

[66DD]

Nige says (relating to the expansion):

"Pricing in the new seats will be important. We want to attract new fans, new season ticket holders and we hope to be inventive with schemes to get bums on seats."

OK, that's another season hence, but at least he seems to be saying the right things.

I don't think that he is saying the right things at all. It seems to me that he is talking about differential pricing with new seats being priced priced less than existing ones. In other words existing season ticket holders will be paying more than new season ticket holders.

[Stranded]

Just look at the figures below and I defy anyone, anywhere, to come up with any argument that any price increases whatsoever can be defended, morally or financially.

I expect prices to rise to the 650 - 700 mark and this will be justified by the need to raise funds for the new ground extension.....

Sure it will force a lot more kids and OAPs out [same as this year]. The management won't care because there was no fuss this year and nor will there be one in the future. As long as individuals can afford tickets they [mainly] do not give a stuff for those in less favoured circumstances.

If they do go up it would be nice to see the club spending rather more on the team [and no I am not complaining about our position. SC is on a par with Wenger at spotting talent and has done a great job] since this year the reason for the rise was to compete at the top level - and this was just a rip-off....

Let's face facts the words price cut will lead to Mr M having a coronary.....

If they do rise such, then my days of actively supporting RFC are over bar the odd game for the forseeable future.

[Wycombe Royal]

I expect prices to rise to the 650 - 700 mark and this will be justified by the need to raise funds for the new ground extension

No chance.

The cheapest ST's will remain around the price they are now. If they were to rise to the price range you have mentioned then they would be the highest in the Premiership for the cheapest available by quite a margin (that is a guess but I don't think I am far off the mark).

What we might see is more range on the pricing. For example the centre section of the East Stand may see a larger increase than those near the end of the stands and the upper west may see a large price hike.

[bigmike]

<snip>.... Being that the £200 increase last year was to bring in players and strengthen the team which never really happened

<snip>?

seeing as we are 6th in the league and had 6 internationals + dave Kitson playing in the "fringe" team last night I don;t really think we can complain to much about the signing policy.

I am not complaining about the signing policy I am stating a fact my season ticket went up £200 and the offical line was that the club need the money to bring in signings to strenthen the team. Correct me if i am wrong but £200 X 20000 = £4000000

thats of course assuming that we have got 20000 season ticket holders.

I am aware that the wages went up so that has taken a portion of the money... However the TV money also goes towards that.. We signed Seol for £1million set to rise 500000 on appearences.

How did they strenthen the team?

These 6 internationals were in our sqaud in the championship when I was paying £345 for my ticket.

I am aware that the squad needs strenthened however I resent being lied to.

[Stranded]

At no point did any body at the club mention that the hike this year was to enable them to buy new players. People have assumed that was what was meant. I believe the wording was along of the lines as the extra revenue would be used on the squad.

I'm sure somebody has the letter tucked away somewhere still.

[Adrian's Fool]

And in any case we have just spent over £4m on new players in January ... so even if the increase was for that purpose, the money has all gone. Coppell publicly stated he coudn't get all the signings he wanted in the summer.

I wouldn't advocate any rise in prices, but it's exceptionally harsh to criticise the club for not spending when Mr Mad has been bankrolling us for years, we have recently spent loads on an Academy and new training facilities, and are expanding the stadium.

[Royal Lady]

I thought Mr Mad was "owed" somewhere in the region of £20-25 million. I'd guess we've more or less paid him back now, I don't believe he is still "bankrolling" us to any great extent.

[Seal]

The only price rise they can really justify would be in line with inflation.

To rise prices to pay for ground redevelopment would be one of the most foolish things they could do. I really think they're going to struggle to get 35,000+ in the stadium, and they will have absolutely no chance of doing so if they increase prices further.

[amdocsroyal]

At no point did any body at the club mention that the hike this year was to enable them to buy new players. People have assumed that was what was meant. I believe the wording was along of the lines as the extra revenue would be used on the squad.

I'm sure somebody has the letter tucked away somewhere still.

If only the Forum had a search facilty

[Wycombe Royal]

At no point did any body at the club mention that the hike this year was to enable them to buy new players. People have assumed that was what was meant. I believe the wording was along of the lines as the extra revenue would be used on the squad.

I'm sure somebody has the letter tucked away somewhere still.

If only the Forum had a search facilty

It does:

http://hobnob.royals.org/forum/search.php

[coyrls]

I expect prices to rise to the 650 - 700 mark and this will be justified by the need to raise funds for the new ground extension

No chance.

The cheapest ST's will remain around the price they are now. If they were to rise to the price range you have mentioned then they would be the highest in the Premiership for the cheapest available by quite a margin (that is a guess but I don't think I am far off the mark).

What we might see is more range on the pricing. For example the centre section of the East Stand may see a larger increase than those near the end of the stands and the upper west may see a large price hike.

I can't see this sort of differential pricing being introduced as those in the affected areas will find it very hard to move, given that there are no spare seats. Add to that that those in the better seats are likely to be longer standing season ticket holders than those in the worse seats.

[Wycombe Royal]

I expect prices to rise to the 650 - 700 mark and this will be justified by the need to raise funds for the new ground extension

No chance.

The cheapest ST's will remain around the price they are now. If they were to rise to the price range you have mentioned then they would be the highest in the Premiership for the cheapest available by quite a margin (that is a guess but I don't think I am far off the mark).

What we might see is more range on the pricing. For example the centre section of the East Stand may see a larger increase than those near the end of the stands and the upper west may see a large price hike.

I can't see this sort of differential pricing being introduced as those in the affected areas will find it very hard to move, given that there are no spare seats. Add to that that those in the better seats are likely to be longer standing season ticket holders than those in the worse seats.

I was thinking that, but I can still see it happening. It may just be a gradual process.

[Whore Jackie]

You'd seriously hope that RFC realise that the current level of pricing/attendances/loyal fans is the highest it's likely to be.

Any further price increases and the equation is totally unsustainable for the long-term, Premiership or not.

The lack of proper discount for long-term season ticket holders and minimal pricing deferential between the Upper West and other stands still annoys the hell out of me.

[amdocsroyal]

At no point did any body at the club mention that the hike this year was to enable them to buy new players. People have assumed that was what was meant. I believe the wording was along of the lines as the extra revenue would be used on the squad.

I'm sure somebody has the letter tucked away somewhere still.

If only the Forum had a search facilty

It does:

http://hobnob.royals.org/forum/search.php

Thanks WR

I couldnt see a link to the search on the forum pages you see.

[RoyalBlue]

Nige says (relating to the expansion):

"Pricing in the new seats will be important. We want to attract new fans, new season ticket holders and we hope to be inventive with schemes to get bums on seats."

Free tickets to hobos - that is inventive!

At no point did any body at the club mention that the hike this year was to enable them to buy new players. People have assumed that was what was meant. I believe the wording was along of the lines as the extra revenue would be used on the squad.

I'm sure somebody has the letter tucked away somewhere still.

You may be right. But do not try to convince me that the club weren't more than happy for supporters to draw the wrong conclusion and probably even worded the letter with that in mind.