Post by QPR Report on Oct 23, 2008 7:42:17 GMT
Beyond their rivalries (and hatreds), football fans have a lot in common. But also interesting how what Colchester fans consider too expensive, QPR fans would consider a comparative steal.
EADT24/Elliot Furniss - - Col U ticket prices 'too high'
FANS are staying away from Colchester United's home games because the ticket prices are too high, it has been claimed.
Just over 5,500 supporters turned out to watch the U's slump to their fourth successive defeat at their new Weston Homes Community Stadium against Millwall on Tuesday night - despite the added interest generated by new manager Paul Lambert.
Speaking after the latest disappointing performance, one fan explained that he had chosen against renewing his season ticket this year because of the cost - but has still been left shocked by the prices for single matches.
A seat at the ground costs between £20 and £26 for adults - about the same as some top flight clubs.
U's supporter Paul Speller said fans were being asked to pay premiership prices for sub-standard entertainment.
“They would do well to put the prices down - they would get more people going,” he said. “I think the feeling amongst the fans is that it's expensive.
“They should start at £15. The crowds are showing it - they're not getting the people through the turnstiles.
“It's not just where we are in the league, it's the prices. I think if they dropped it they would get more bums on seats.”
Town MP Bob Russell also called the prices into question, saying the club seemed to be disengaging from many of its fans.
He said: “Colchester United FC has totally changed its culture, ethos and traditions. About one fifth or one quarter of the core fan base they had at Layer Road has gone - I know lots of people who are not going.”
He said the club was in danger of losing even more of its fans through its matchday pricing and felt its decision to sell off memorabilia after leaving Layer Road showed a lack of appreciation of Colchester's past.
Last night a club spokesman defended its pricing policy and said it was looking at a series of new marketing initiatives to encourage bigger crowds to turn up.
He said: “There's an element of the ticket prices that have to go towards paying for the stadium. There are 25 blocks available to home supporters and 12 blocks are cheaper than it was to sit at Layer Road last season.
“For this weekend's game we have given five schools the chance to come for free - that's potentially 1,250 tickets given away to local kids.
“Hopefully some of the kids who come on Saturday will like it and come again in the future.
“If the team carries on playing as they did last night it's only a matter of time before more people start coming along and feeling like they're getting value for money.”
Next month's England Under 19s game against Germany on November 18 is the first sell out at the ground, although ticket prices were set at just £3 for adults and £1 for kids.
[COMPARISON WITH OTHER CLUB PRICES]
Adult tickets for home games at nearby Ipswich Town start at £24 with the best seats in the house costing £48.
Prices at Premiership new boys Stoke City's Britannia Stadium start at £25 with the top seats costing £32.
High-flying Hull City, who were promoted to the premier league at the end of last season, charge £20 to £25 for adults at all home games.
Adult tickets at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland's next game against FA Cup winners Portsmouth start at £22.
Anyone wanting to watch Blackburn play Middlesbrough at Ewood Park on Saturday would pay between £17 and £28.
Prices for the next home game at Norwich's Carrow Road range from £21 to £31 while QPR host promotion hopefuls Birmingham on Saturday with prices ranging from £20 to £35
EADT24/Elliot Furniss - - Col U ticket prices 'too high'
FANS are staying away from Colchester United's home games because the ticket prices are too high, it has been claimed.
Just over 5,500 supporters turned out to watch the U's slump to their fourth successive defeat at their new Weston Homes Community Stadium against Millwall on Tuesday night - despite the added interest generated by new manager Paul Lambert.
Speaking after the latest disappointing performance, one fan explained that he had chosen against renewing his season ticket this year because of the cost - but has still been left shocked by the prices for single matches.
A seat at the ground costs between £20 and £26 for adults - about the same as some top flight clubs.
U's supporter Paul Speller said fans were being asked to pay premiership prices for sub-standard entertainment.
“They would do well to put the prices down - they would get more people going,” he said. “I think the feeling amongst the fans is that it's expensive.
“They should start at £15. The crowds are showing it - they're not getting the people through the turnstiles.
“It's not just where we are in the league, it's the prices. I think if they dropped it they would get more bums on seats.”
Town MP Bob Russell also called the prices into question, saying the club seemed to be disengaging from many of its fans.
He said: “Colchester United FC has totally changed its culture, ethos and traditions. About one fifth or one quarter of the core fan base they had at Layer Road has gone - I know lots of people who are not going.”
He said the club was in danger of losing even more of its fans through its matchday pricing and felt its decision to sell off memorabilia after leaving Layer Road showed a lack of appreciation of Colchester's past.
Last night a club spokesman defended its pricing policy and said it was looking at a series of new marketing initiatives to encourage bigger crowds to turn up.
He said: “There's an element of the ticket prices that have to go towards paying for the stadium. There are 25 blocks available to home supporters and 12 blocks are cheaper than it was to sit at Layer Road last season.
“For this weekend's game we have given five schools the chance to come for free - that's potentially 1,250 tickets given away to local kids.
“Hopefully some of the kids who come on Saturday will like it and come again in the future.
“If the team carries on playing as they did last night it's only a matter of time before more people start coming along and feeling like they're getting value for money.”
Next month's England Under 19s game against Germany on November 18 is the first sell out at the ground, although ticket prices were set at just £3 for adults and £1 for kids.
[COMPARISON WITH OTHER CLUB PRICES]
Adult tickets for home games at nearby Ipswich Town start at £24 with the best seats in the house costing £48.
Prices at Premiership new boys Stoke City's Britannia Stadium start at £25 with the top seats costing £32.
High-flying Hull City, who were promoted to the premier league at the end of last season, charge £20 to £25 for adults at all home games.
Adult tickets at the Stadium of Light for Sunderland's next game against FA Cup winners Portsmouth start at £22.
Anyone wanting to watch Blackburn play Middlesbrough at Ewood Park on Saturday would pay between £17 and £28.
Prices for the next home game at Norwich's Carrow Road range from £21 to £31 while QPR host promotion hopefuls Birmingham on Saturday with prices ranging from £20 to £35