Post by QPR Report on May 16, 2009 7:05:30 GMT
[Edit] Four years ago, QPR announced a very sizable increase in the prices for the 2008-2009 season tickets.
To add a certain insult to injury was the statement issued on the Official site just a few hours after posting the new prices "Record Sales"
QPR OFFICIAL SITE, May 15: - RECORD SALES
Season Tickets for the forthcoming 2008/09 campaign went on sale this morning - and already the Queens Park Rangers Box Office is reporting unprecedented demand as Rangers fans embrace the new era in W12. With Iain Dowie installed at the helm and no fewer than three new faces already added to the R's First Team squad ahead of next season, the feel-good factor has gripped the R's faithful, to the delight of Deputy Managing Director, Ali Russell.
"We're ecstatic with the response," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We are very mindful that prices have gone up in certain areas of the ground, but the reaction from the supporters has been exceptional.
"We strongly believe that the new pricing structure represents excellent value for money and is in line with most Clubs at this level." QPR [Also yesterday's QPR Report]
, QPR1st issued a statement on the price increases: QPR1st - Season Ticket Prices Statement
May 16, 2008
QPR 1st Supporters Trust is disappointed in the substantial rises in season ticket prices for next season. We note that some fans will be paying more than 50 per cent more for seats next season. While we note that support is on the increase, we feel that there is little doubt that some fans will be priced out of seats that they have held for many years. We also remind the club of the negative effect on season ticket sales and goodwill that occurred when tickets prices rose in 2005-6.
The failure to offer discounts for early bird renewals for which there is a long standing precedent, shows a lack of respect for loyal fans who have followed the club through thick and thin.
We feel that the club's assertion of record sales on the basis of a morning's trading seems premature and is at odds with the feedback the trust has been receiving.
The trust looks forward to Deputy Managing Director's Ali Russell appearance at the Trust AGM on Tuesday 27th May so that fans can discuss the new pricing structure and other matters with him.
QPR1st
QPR Fans Groups Issue Joint Appeal to Club Over Price Rises
Joint Letter regarding Season Ticker Prices
May 16, 2008
The following letter has been agreed by the groups mentioned below and sent on behalf of these supporters representatives.
Dear Mr. Russell
We are writing on behalf of supporters groups, organisations and websites representing
AKUTRs Fanzine
Friends of QPR
Independent Rs
QPR Loyal Supporters Association
QPR Official Supporters Club
QPRNet Website
QPR1st Supporters Trust
Rivals Website
We Are The Rangers Boys Website
We remain appreciative of Mr Briatore, Mr Ecclestone and Mr Mittal for stepping in and rescuing QPR financially after a very difficult time. Yet we believe that the Board should also appreciate that the loyal supporters and season ticket holders we represent have stood by the Club in good times and bad and have contributed a significant part of their income towards the continuing survival and progression of QPR.
We are therefore extremely disappointed about the recent announcement concerning season ticket price rises and the way this announcement has been handled by the Club. We would not have been surprised if, for example, there was a 10% rise in the price of all tickets, to reflect the fact that as the Investors have contributed greatly to our club we as fans must share in that for the Club to go forward. But some of the rises are far more excessive and unreasonable than that. For example, the whole upper loft, traditionally the home for many longstanding loyal season ticket holders at Home games, has seen a price rise of 50% on adult tickets, from £400 to £600. In addition the tradition loyalty discount made available to season ticket holders who renew (something many clubs do) has been abolished.
Many of our fans have been hit by the current economic circumstances and credit crunch. Many simply cannot afford rises of up to 50%, particular families buying multiple tickets. Many long standing loyal fans will be forced out.
We are also unhappy by the way the Club has announced this decision. In the past the Board of QPR consulted with fans about the prices for season tickets, this time it has just been announced, and announced very late in the day making it even harder for some fans to pay.
In the circumstances we are writing this open letter to the Club to request a meeting with you to review the price rises. We would ask you to listen to our concerns and to reconsider at least some of the steepest rises in prices and abolition of the renewal discount that you have announced. QPR1st shall be advising all our members and supporters not to renew their season tickets until after the meeting.
You can respond to this letter by contacting any of the listed organisations.
Cc Alejandro Agag, Amit Bhiatu, Flavio Briatore, Gianni Paladini, Bernie Ecclestone, Lakshmi Mittal.
QPR1st
To add a certain insult to injury was the statement issued on the Official site just a few hours after posting the new prices "Record Sales"
QPR OFFICIAL SITE, May 15: - RECORD SALES
Season Tickets for the forthcoming 2008/09 campaign went on sale this morning - and already the Queens Park Rangers Box Office is reporting unprecedented demand as Rangers fans embrace the new era in W12. With Iain Dowie installed at the helm and no fewer than three new faces already added to the R's First Team squad ahead of next season, the feel-good factor has gripped the R's faithful, to the delight of Deputy Managing Director, Ali Russell.
"We're ecstatic with the response," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We are very mindful that prices have gone up in certain areas of the ground, but the reaction from the supporters has been exceptional.
"We strongly believe that the new pricing structure represents excellent value for money and is in line with most Clubs at this level." QPR [Also yesterday's QPR Report]
, QPR1st issued a statement on the price increases: QPR1st - Season Ticket Prices Statement
May 16, 2008
QPR 1st Supporters Trust is disappointed in the substantial rises in season ticket prices for next season. We note that some fans will be paying more than 50 per cent more for seats next season. While we note that support is on the increase, we feel that there is little doubt that some fans will be priced out of seats that they have held for many years. We also remind the club of the negative effect on season ticket sales and goodwill that occurred when tickets prices rose in 2005-6.
The failure to offer discounts for early bird renewals for which there is a long standing precedent, shows a lack of respect for loyal fans who have followed the club through thick and thin.
We feel that the club's assertion of record sales on the basis of a morning's trading seems premature and is at odds with the feedback the trust has been receiving.
The trust looks forward to Deputy Managing Director's Ali Russell appearance at the Trust AGM on Tuesday 27th May so that fans can discuss the new pricing structure and other matters with him.
QPR1st
QPR Fans Groups Issue Joint Appeal to Club Over Price Rises
Joint Letter regarding Season Ticker Prices
May 16, 2008
The following letter has been agreed by the groups mentioned below and sent on behalf of these supporters representatives.
Dear Mr. Russell
We are writing on behalf of supporters groups, organisations and websites representing
AKUTRs Fanzine
Friends of QPR
Independent Rs
QPR Loyal Supporters Association
QPR Official Supporters Club
QPRNet Website
QPR1st Supporters Trust
Rivals Website
We Are The Rangers Boys Website
We remain appreciative of Mr Briatore, Mr Ecclestone and Mr Mittal for stepping in and rescuing QPR financially after a very difficult time. Yet we believe that the Board should also appreciate that the loyal supporters and season ticket holders we represent have stood by the Club in good times and bad and have contributed a significant part of their income towards the continuing survival and progression of QPR.
We are therefore extremely disappointed about the recent announcement concerning season ticket price rises and the way this announcement has been handled by the Club. We would not have been surprised if, for example, there was a 10% rise in the price of all tickets, to reflect the fact that as the Investors have contributed greatly to our club we as fans must share in that for the Club to go forward. But some of the rises are far more excessive and unreasonable than that. For example, the whole upper loft, traditionally the home for many longstanding loyal season ticket holders at Home games, has seen a price rise of 50% on adult tickets, from £400 to £600. In addition the tradition loyalty discount made available to season ticket holders who renew (something many clubs do) has been abolished.
Many of our fans have been hit by the current economic circumstances and credit crunch. Many simply cannot afford rises of up to 50%, particular families buying multiple tickets. Many long standing loyal fans will be forced out.
We are also unhappy by the way the Club has announced this decision. In the past the Board of QPR consulted with fans about the prices for season tickets, this time it has just been announced, and announced very late in the day making it even harder for some fans to pay.
In the circumstances we are writing this open letter to the Club to request a meeting with you to review the price rises. We would ask you to listen to our concerns and to reconsider at least some of the steepest rises in prices and abolition of the renewal discount that you have announced. QPR1st shall be advising all our members and supporters not to renew their season tickets until after the meeting.
You can respond to this letter by contacting any of the listed organisations.
Cc Alejandro Agag, Amit Bhiatu, Flavio Briatore, Gianni Paladini, Bernie Ecclestone, Lakshmi Mittal.
QPR1st
