25 Year 'Season Tickets' (Now with Suites Poll)

I've just sent the following email to Ryan Sparks and Mick Lamb:

"A few days ago I received an email from the club, proudly announcing that prices of next year's season tickets have been frozen across all age groups. My initial reaction was one of praise for the club's worthy initiative in maintaining affordable football for the people of Bradford. Imagine my surprise, therefore, to subsequently discover that, as a City fan since the 1980s and a 25 year Season Ticket holder, my season ticket has increased in price by a whopping 50% on last year's price.
This appears to be a wholly unjustified and discriminatory price increase applied only to some of its most loyal supporters. How can it possibly be justified when all other ticket prices have been frozen?
Presumably the club will retort that the price includes a 'free' suite upgrade. But this is meaningless to those of us who never use the suites, have no desire to start doing so and, in some cases, don't even have a suite available to use in the stand in which they sit.
We are now in the ridiculous position where 25 year ST holders who are also pensioners are paying more than they would do if they bought an OAP ST rather than utilising their 25 year ticket. Is this a deliberate policy on behalf of the club to persuade older 25 yearers to give up their 25 year ST? If so, it is a disgraceful policy.
I urge the club to urgently re-think this anomalous pricing decision. A modest increase on last year's cost is one thing, but a 50% increase is simply scandalous.
I await your considered response."

 

Imagine the outrage if they’d announced a 50% increase across the board?
We’d be down to 5k crowds again

 

Great email.

 

Response will be along these lines, 'We have listened to fans feedback regarding the price increase involving the 25 year season ticket holders and, as a result, have retracted the price increase to fall in line with last years prices. Something about an oversight, loyal fans etc....

 

Well said

 

Hopefully so. But I'm not holding my breath

 

Anything that could damage Sparks ego is a no no. I definitely expect the cub to change their mind.

 

Sadly Al, you could not be more wrong. I've just had the following response from our CEO that completely misses the point of our complaint:

"Good evening, Steve.

The decision to increase suite-upgrade prices has been taken after much consideration and analysis.


Rising costs have made the areas near loss-makers for the club, providing access for just over £5.20 per league fixture (for adults).


The suite-upgrade price increase hasn’t been set to discriminate, as you claim, merely to cover rising costs to ensure your football club is viable in all areas – while ensuring we can maintain our policy of affordable football via our season ticket offering, which has been frozen for the third-year running.


Prices for a number of other club products will also increase in order to maintain our viability and desire to ensure the accessibility of professional football for as many people as possible during these difficult economic times. Sadly, we aren’t immune to the significant rising costs of energy, personnel and maintenance."



Kind regards,





Ryan Sparks

Chief Executive Office

I have replied as follows:

"Thank you for your prompt response Ryan.

Unfortunately, your response completely misses the point of my complaint, which (if you check on other forums such as Bantam Talk) is shared by many other 25 Year ST holders.

Your response focuses entirely on the issue of the suites. As I explained, this is irrelevant to many 25 year ST holders, including me. I have never utilised the 'free' suite upgrade option. I have simply paid for my season ticket and attended games. I have no interest in sitting in a large, soulless aircraft hanger of a bar either before games or during half time.

I have no problem with your increasing the cost of a suite subscription, if that is what is required to make them profitable. Clearly those who choose to use the suites need to pay an economic price for doing so. But by tying the cost of all 25 year tickets to the increased suite prices you are forcing me, and many other 25 yearers, to pay a 50% increase on our ticket price for a product that we have no interest in, will never use and would never choose to pay for.

By all means increase the price for those who choose to activate the suite option, if you must. But it is simply not justified to do so for those who don't want to use the suites. Why should I subsidise other people's use of the suites? You wouldn't force me to pay for drinks or merchandise that I don't want, so why are you forcing me to pay for a service that I won't use? This is simply wrong and is incompatible with the values of this great club.

I again urge you to reconsider and reverse this unfair, discriminatory decision."

 

I wonder how many people aside from the 25 yearers actually upgrade to a suite?

I can understand the decision to increase suite prices but not at the expense of just 600 people, many of whom never asked for a suite in the first place.

 

The flip side of paying £180 is to keep paying £120 with no suite access?
That’s obviously a worse deal for those who DO use and want a suite who would then have to pay £300 to get what they have now for £180.
Swings and roundabouts

 

I have not taken much notice of the 25 year deal, could not afford it at the time, so of no real interest to me.
As i understand it , the deal was open to 1000 fans, of which 600 are still involved.
How many actually got most of their money back as they paid by credit card.
You pay for a suite upgrade, but get the season ticket is for free, which was £120 last year, but some do not bother to use the suites.
So almost £80 cheaper than a season ticket, has this been similar , over the course of the scheme, if so, some have done very well out of it, credit card buyers. others will probably break even over the course of the 25 years, how long is left to go.
I can fully understand that a 50% increase on what was paid last year, does seem steep, but if the suites are not making money , it seems stupid to open them. Maybe the club should come to a different agreement with the remaining 25 year people, that does not involve the suites.
£180 still works out at £7.82 per game , compared to £8.60 for adults in general to attend . Its a bargain.
I have always subscribed to the other schemes the club has run 1903 club and Mcall's fighting fund , 2 examples, as i feel the price we pay for season tickets is too low, but appreciate the gesture and the fact it inflates our crowds, which improves the match day experience in my opinion. A 25000 stadium is pretty pointless, without the bums on seats.

 

How about those that don’t want a suite can sacrifice that privilege, pay the £180 and instead receive a £60 voucher to use either in the shop or for cup / away tickets.

 

Personally I use the Bantams Bar suite and enjoy doing so, especially as these days you have to turn up at 12.30pm to get any decent free parking space around VP, it makes sense to spend that dead time in the bar, where I spend on average £20-£30 before each home game on food / drinks.
So when the time comes that the BB privilege is taken away from me, they’ll also lose circa £500 per season that I spend in there.
Swings and roundabouts

 

Great counter reply. He is just avoiding the issue, which is even worse.

 

Then the club need to make it more of a draw on match days, especially if the rising costs mean its not cost effective.
i have only been in once, and apart from being slightly warmer. i found it a pretty bland experience

 

But if 90% of the people in the suites are 25 year ST holders and he reversed the decision, the club will continue to make a loss on opening the suites.
Therefore it’s important to understand the ratio of 25yearers versus an upgraded standard ST holder

 

What would you suggest they do to make it more interesting?
Bingo?
Quiz?
Live music?
Pole dancers?

it’s a warm bar with seating and a different choice of beer / food also showing live sky sports.
Not sure there’s anything more I want.

 

They most certainly do. This year is our first full season in the Executive suites. We had a few games the previous season. The food was very reasonable and good for mass production. However, this year it has deteriorated and we don’t buy it. I think that is the reason why it is not making money. They could have consulted with the fans who use the suites including the 25yr fans, and I am sure they would have received an accurate assessment as to why it is not paying its way. We would like to use it, as it provides revenue for the club, but I will not buy crap food. Both suites could do with a revamp, the chairs are as old as the suites and need replacing. When they shut down one of them it is unbearable, and is far too crowded. Plus fans try and save seats for family and friends, understandable but not much fun if you get there at a reasonable time and have to stand. They need to think about rewarding fans who are forfeiting lower priced season tickets to sit in the Executive seats and have to compulsory purchase suite access whether they use it or not.

 

Not sure about the pole dancing, but why not a singer or a comedian and it sounds like the food on offer is no better than the kiosks, which are poor and overpriced. The burgers from the van in the garage on valley parade , blow the clubs out of the water and are cheaper. The commercial department need to think, and maybe outside the box, how they can fill the suites on match day.