|
|
Post by loudmouthstone on May 18, 2016 9:09:35 GMT
On the website now www.maidstoneunited.co.uk/2016/05/201617-admission-and-season-ticket-prices/ Maidstone United have announced admission and season ticket prices for their first season in the Vanarama National League. The pay on the day admission fees will be: Adults: £15.00 Concessions (65+/students with valid ID): £12.00 Youth (11 to 16 year olds): £7.00 Junior (Under 11): £2.00 Stand seat plus £2.00 on the above prices. Supporters can make savings with a season ticket, which covers the 23 National League games (two more league games than the previous season). Prices will be: Ground only Adults: £315.00 (£13.70 per game) Concessions (65+/students with valid ID): £250.00 (£10.87 per game) Youth (11 to 16 year olds): £150.00 (£6.52 per game) Junior (Under 11): £40.00 (£1.74 per game) Main stand Adults: £355.00 (£15.43 per game) Concessions (65+/students with valid ID): £295.00 (£12.83 per game) Youth (11 to 16 year olds): £190.00 (£8.26 per game) Junior (Under 11): £85.00 (£3.70 per game) When will season tickets go on sale? Ground season tickets will go on sale from Monday 23 May. Existing main stand ticket holders will have from Monday 23 May until Friday 24 June to renew their ticket by calling 01622 753817 or in person at the club office (Monday to Friday, 09:30 to 16:00). Alternatively, email office@maidstoneunited.co.uk to request a call back. After Monday 27 June, any remaining seats will be offered to those on the waiting list. To be added to the waiting list, email office@maidstoneunited.co.uk Club chief executive Bill Williams said: “In setting the admission prices for next season we were mindful of three things. Firstly, we do not want to go up to the next level and just make up the numbers. We need to invest in the team and have a squad that can compete at non-league’s top tier. “Secondly, we need to increase the Gallagher Stadium’s capacity by another thousand. This will require investment of up to £750,000 to build a new 2,000 capacity stand at the Springfield end. “Thirdly, and importantly, we wanted to keep prices to a reasonable level and in line with other clubs in the National League. “I would encourage our supporters, where possible, to go for a season ticket. It’s guaranteed admission, which costs less than the on-the-day price. With reduced capacity at times during the season and some big names in town, it’s also that peace of mind that you’re not going to miss out.” |
|
|
|
Post by russc on May 18, 2016 9:18:38 GMT
I notice the season ticket has gone from 3 free games down to 2 free games included
|
|
|
|
Post by captainmosh on May 18, 2016 9:28:37 GMT
I guessed £310 for ground so no surprise at all really. Couldn't imagine the club would go above £15 for the first season even though during the building works there's a good chance almost every game will sellout. Sort of a shame to not get more of a discount but the club need the money to fund the building works and I reckon there are gonna be 1,500 season ticket holders so giving the bulk of the crowd a bumper discount would hurt revenues pretty badly.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2016 9:29:15 GMT
I notice the season ticket has gone from 3 free games down to 2 free games included Yes, the discount is not great especially when you consider for any individual that no matter how loyal you are, you're extremely unlikely to attend all of the matches during the course of the season for one reason or another. I think the reality is that the club knows in a season where most games will easily sell out due to the reduced capacity, they can get away with charging that and as Bill says they need the revenue to pay for the ground improvements so it's not unreasonable. Personally I think they give the seats away too cheaply - I would charge more for a main stand season ticket, and the seat supplement charged for non-season ticket holders at £2.00 is too cheap really. I buy a seat sometimes and I'd happily pay an extra fiver for that. Considering the level of football we'll be getting now, all the costs are perfectly reasonable and dare I say it, you could argue, on the cheap side. |
|
|
|
Post by loudmouthstone on May 18, 2016 9:30:11 GMT
Agreed but I don't think that's a surprise given the amount that needs to be invested in the team and the stand this year.
The only thing that concerns me is that although i agree getting a season ticket is the easiest way to guarantee entry on a match day but for many the cost is to high. I saw tranmere allow some season ticket holders to pay in instalments but I don't know how that's managed on a match day if someone has stopped paying. Don't think we would be able to monitor that easily without a computerised system on the gate.
|
|
|
|
Post by captainmosh on May 18, 2016 9:34:06 GMT
I notice the season ticket has gone from 3 free games down to 2 free games included Yes, the discount is not great especially when you consider for any individual that no matter how loyal you are, you're extremely unlikely to attend all of the matches during the course of the season for one reason or another. I think the reality is that the club knows in a season where most games will easily sell out due to the reduced capacity, they can get away with charging that and as Bill says they need the revenue to pay for the ground improvements so it's not unreasonable. Personally I think they give the seats away too cheaply - I would charge more for a main stand season ticket, and the seat supplement charged for non-season ticket holders at £2.00 is too cheap really. I buy a seat sometimes and I'd happily pay an extra fiver for that. Considering the level of football we'll be getting now, all the costs are perfectly reasonable and dare I say it, you could argue, on the cheap side. Last season the most expensive, but cheapest option from that club (if that makes sense) for a season ticket was £319 from Halifax and with the average being £225 we're definitely not cheap when it comes to season tickets. I don't think too many people will moan though since we just have to get these improvements done and after already forking out last year it's obviously tough for the club and the owners. I know for some people money is very tight but in my eyes whether it was £280 or £350 I'm just going to pay it once and not have to think about it again so the difference is almost meaningless. |
|
|
|
Post by stonesforlife on May 18, 2016 9:35:14 GMT
That's what we expected isn't it, fair price to me
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2016 9:35:21 GMT
Agreed but I don't think that's a surprise given the amount that needs to be invested in the team and the stand this year. The only thing that concerns me is that although i agree getting a season ticket is the easiest way to guarantee entry on a match day but for many the cost is to high. I saw tranmere allow some season ticket holders to pay in instalments but I don't know how that's managed on a match day if someone has stopped paying. Don't think we would be able to monitor that easily without a computerised system on the gate. Obviously Tranmere have a long standing status as a league club, and probably introduced that system when they were playing in The Championship and presumably, their season tickets in those days would have cost serious money. We're new to all this and so I think the club can be forgiven for trying to keep things relatively simple at this stage. I suppose going forward, some sort of monthly direct debit scheme would help some people budget for the costs. The problem with something like that of course, is that if people's payments don't go through for whatever reason (inevitably it will happen in a number of cases) then you need somebody putting in a lot of man hours chasing the debtors. I don't suppose the club has the resources in terms of manpower of finance to mess about with that at the moment. You can hire companies to do it for you but that also costs. |
|
hds
New Member
Posts: 17 
|
Post by hds on May 18, 2016 9:44:52 GMT
More than happy to part with my £355.
It was the best money I spent last year and no doubt it will be the same again.
In all honesty, what does it equate to, 3 meals out with the wifey?
|
|
|
|
Post by steveh21 on May 18, 2016 9:51:13 GMT
Very fair pricing in my opinion. If Terry and Oliver have to dip into their pockets more then it is only fair that fans do too. Season tickets are more about ensuring (where possible) you get tickets for the big games rather than saving money because few people can get to every single game. Tranmere and others can afford to be cheaper because they have a higher capacity. For the Stones it is about trying to raise money as fairly as possible from the couple of thousand or so spaces we have. Not easy. Just think of the better quality of football we will see too.
|
|
|
|
Post by loudmouthstone on May 18, 2016 9:52:46 GMT
always thought the club should throw in the monday youth games or even pre-season games for free as an incentive to get season tickets. offsets the if i miss a game I'm not getting value argument. No harm asking again. I'll respond to the tweet they put out and others may want to do the same. |
|
|
|
Post by themodfather on May 18, 2016 9:56:31 GMT
More than happy to part with my £355. It was the best money I spent last year and no doubt it will be the same again. In all honesty, what does it equate to, 3 meals out with the wifey? You obviously spoil your missus cos that ain't nowhere near what I pay for 3 meals out. |
|
|
|
Post by tjh on May 18, 2016 9:58:31 GMT
No issue with the rise in prices. It's also refreshing to see most people are sensible enough to understand the reasons.
If we stay up next season and the new stand has been paid for. It would be nice to a see a one season freeze, considering it's been 3/4 seasons of price rises.
|
|
|
|
Post by pwe on May 18, 2016 9:59:42 GMT
Just remembered, there's 2 additional fixtures next season (24 teams in the Nat Nat, only 22 in Nat South)
Re the £750k to build the new stand and add the required 1000 capacity:
If the average season ticket sells for £300, and we buy as many as last year (just over a 1000) that's £300k
And if the average gate is same as last season (2208) that's a further 28k pay-on-the day customers over the season at say £13 average
Thats a further £360k
Then there's beer sales, cup games, prize money, tv money (BT Sport cover a game a week in Nat Nat?) to go for
I know you cant look at it quite like that, as those funds will be earmarked to cover increased running costs and wages, nevertheless, its a better starting point for running a club compared to others in the Nat Nat where gates are well under a 1000
Hopefully more season tickets will be sold, and the average gate will be higher, though as had been said, the building work is going to reduce capacity to about 2500 from August to March
I still think there's a good case for a supporters fund to help with the rebuilding costs, the owners will have to dig the deepest, so as others have already indicated, I'd be happy to contribute
|
|
|
|
Post by pmh on May 18, 2016 10:00:09 GMT
Building work aside the prices would of increased .
Extra travel costs and increased security will all need to be paid for,and increased player budget.
The club need help with the stand I'm sure they don't have bottomless pockets .
The increase is what I expected and in proportion to what the club's needs to do .
|
|
