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

Sorry for the late reply Dave, hectic day yesterday.
I am not a 25 year ticket holder. Probably would have been if i could have afforded it at the time, i did not have a credit card, so that was not an option.
Did have one of the 5 year ones that they ran before this scheme.
As i said earlier the club should discount a pro rata amount off the full relevant price each season and scrap the suite upgrade, especially as many seem not to use this element, which i do not blame them , as they are expensive souless area's of the stadium on the whole.

 

No chance Steve, the pints of Boltmeker I had in the FC last week was sublime. I'd go so far as to say it was better than the one in my local (Ling Bob) and that's saying something.

 

Well put. On that basis, I am happy that I have actually had my money from the ticket. Stop it now, it's run it's course, I'm happy to pay full price if asked

 

'My team'!! It's all about him.

 

Suites should be open for all ST holders they would sell loads of food and drink. Other grounds do it and are. Packed with busy tills

 

I didn't say you can't have an opinion, I just suggested that if you're finding the thread and the issue "petty" then you might be better served contributing in other threads.

 

This is the latest fob-off response from the club, received this morning. It just gets worse. The response completely ignores the issue and implies that we pay our annual sum for access to a suite, with a free ticket thrown in, which is bonkers. It also says that they are planning on using the price hike to fund suite upgrades - so they are now charging me to improve a suite that I never use.

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your concern on behalf of other supporters, who without prejudice and with respect have been responded to.

As you may know, the price of the suite upgrade has been £120 for several years, which is also reflective of the offer the club made to 25 year-season ticket holders.

However, due to rising costs of energy, maintenance, and other security and operational expenses, we have taken the decision to increase the price to £180 per season, starting from next season. This increase will also allow us to invest in the suites, and as a result, improve their standard – while supporting our move to freeze season ticket prices for the third-consecutive season, providing the second-cheapest season ticket in the EFL.

We understand that this change may be unwelcome, especially for those who have been loyal to us for so many years. Therefore, we are offering a solution for those who do not wish to pay the increased price.

You may relinquish your 25 year-season ticket and pay the lower price associated with your price band as listed below, while retaining your seat, providing it is located outside of a suite.

Price Band

Price

Adult

£198

Senior

£174

Young Person

£174

Youth

£126

Junior

£30

With respect and without prejudice, we are well within our rights to have increased the season ticket prices across the board, but chose to freeze season ticket prices, the increase is to suite upgrades as highlighted above. The gesture of goodwill for 25 year season ticket holders to incorporate a suite upgrade has been graciously grandfathered in through the years, for an administration which no longer exists, while taking the financial hit on running costs for those receiving the complimentary suite upgrade.

We don’t believe that anyone could have predicted that the increase in running costs would have doubled at the rate in which they have, given the current climate. If that was the case we would have been having this conversation at the start of this season.

We appreciate your support and loyalty to the club, and we understand that this decision may be difficult for some of you. We want to assure you that this change is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the club.

Note: Please be advised that the price increase will be implemented for next season. While we understand that this may be a difficult decision for some, we urge you to consider the long-term sustainability of the club. If you choose to relinquish your 25 year-season ticket, please be aware that you will not have access to the suite, and your seat will be located outside of the suite. We appreciate your understanding and support.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Thank you for your understanding.

With warm regards,




Marco Townson

Head of Ticketing, Data & CRM



E: marcotownson@bradfordcityafc.com

T: 01274 773355

www.bradfordcityafc.com

 

This is my response:

Thank you for your email Marco.

Unfortunately, in your response you have completely ignored the crux of my complaint, just as Ryan's response did. It is beginning to look like the club is deliberately trying to sidestep the issue that has been raised by several 25 yearers.
The issue is simple:

• Why should 25 yearers be the only group of fans to have a 50% price hike, when everyone else enjoys frozen ticket prices?
• Alternatively, why should 25 yearers be forced to pay an additional £60 per season for a suite upgrade if they have no intention of using the suites?

Your response assumes that the club is doing us a favour by giving us a 'complimentary' suite upgrade. But this upgrade is not complimentary - it is costing us £60 more than our ticket cost last year. And, in any event, the 'complimentary' upgrade is a worthless gesture to anyone who does not want to use the suites.

Most 25 yearers do not accept the premise, implicit in your response, that we have been paying annually for access to a suite, with a season ticket thrown in for free. This is nonsense. We pay our money to come and watch our team. The fact that you choose to frame it in the way you have is ridiculous.

By continually focusing your response on the running costs of the suites etc you are adding insult to injury. I have already said that, if there has to be a charge for using the suites, then those who use them (the majority of whom are not 25 yearers) should pay an economic cost for the privilege. But why should those of us who don't use the suites subsidise those who do? And how can you justify charging an extra £60 to 25 yearers in the Midland Road Stand who don't even have a suite to access?!

It appears from your response that you want to take extra money from me, and other 25 yearers, to invest in upgrading suites that I, and many other 25 yearers, never use. This is outrageous!

The solution to this issue is blindingly obvious - charge those 25 yearers who want suite access, £180. Charge those who don't require the suite access, £120, so that their ticket price is frozen just like the rest of the club's ST holders.
Making 25 yearers pay for a service that many of them don't want is simply wrong. It's a very shabby way to treat longstanding loyal supporters.

Please reconsider this discriminatory pricing decision.

PS. Has the club considered making suite access free to all season ticket holders, or even all supporters? I'm sure you would sell a lot more beer and food if you did so. I've been in various bars at away grounds, none of which have charged me for entry. The club's approach in charging for suite access is an anomaly in L2. It's not as though they are particularly luxurious or in any way special, to justify an entry charge. Other clubs' bars, which are often much nicer than ours, simply allow access on a first come first serve basis, are usually full and do a roaring trade. Just a thought.

 

Our team would be more apt Dave.

 

Deary me. Reads like something Rishi Sunak would write.

 

I know. It seems increasingly obvious that the club is intending to make all 25 yearers help finance the the cost of upgrading their failing suites, whether or not we ever use them. It's a blatant rip-off.

 

Yes!

Sounds like he's explaining the massive benefits of freezing nurses pay below inflation lol

 

Oh believe you me, some bugger would have whined!!

 

The problem is two fold. Those supporters who are also 25yrs who sit in the suite area. Plus those 25yrs who do not want to relinquish their 25 year ticket who sit elsewhere in the stadium.

For those that sit in the suite area, they would have to relinquish their seat which I imagine they do not want to do. For those that sit elsewhere it is hard to see what they get as a benefit of being a 25yrs; they could revert to a ST holder and relinquish their right to access a suite that is hard to access.
It would appear to me the club does wants this status to be binned! What they might want to try the carrot approach and offer the 25yrs something tangible if they give it up. They could start with an offer to those that sit in the suite area a 1/3 year discount for their seat, after they would move to normal status of Executive seating.

I like the idea of opening up the Suite to ST holders; refurbishment needs to think about how to maximise the revenue. Larger TV’s would be a start, 13inches just doesn’t cut the mustard, you need large screens in a room that size. As already stated they need put really good food on. Small excellent menus are required. Make it worthwhile for fans to come, entertainment, good food and a good drinks. I would much prefer on match days to eat and drink at the club, I want to invest in the club.

last year we paid for a parking space, we were told Midland Road which suited us as we used to park there years ago. Only to be told the day before that we had to go to the Wood Yard, which is at the end of Midland Road. So this year we will probably turn it down as we can find somewhere just as near. My point to the club, yes we want to invest but we are not mugs, and although we want to invest in the club we do want value for money. The club should always look after its fans and make sure they do take them for granted.

 

So, I've now had full clarification. If you switch from your 25 year ticket to (eg) an OAP ST you give up your 25 year ticket permanently, so could never switch back if the respective deals change in future:


From: Marco Townson <marcotownson@bradfordcityafc.com>
Sent: 10 March 2023 13:15
To: Steve Benson <stevegbenson@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: 25 Year Season Tickets - 50% Price Hike!

Hi Steve,

To answer your question, please see this quote from my first email to you with regards to purchasing an OAP ticket, if you choose to purchase a Senior ticket you relinquish your 25 year season ticket.

You may relinquish your 25 year-season ticket and pay the lower price associated with your price band as listed below, while retaining your seat, providing it is located outside of a suite.

With warm regards,


Marco Townson

Head of Ticketing, Data & CRM




Subject: Re: 25 Year Season Tickets - 50% Price Hike!

So, to clarify; if I purchase an OAP ticket this year, I give up my 25 Year ticket, not just for this year, but permanently. Is this correct?



Hi Steve,

That’s correct, if you wish to change from a 25 Year ticket to a price band more suited to you that would be the case.

With warm regards,


Marco Townson

Head of Ticketing, Data & CRM



E: marcotownson@bradfordcityafc.com

T: 01274 773355

www.bradfordcityafc.com