The club have announced on the official site that season ticket prices next season will be cut by 8%, in recognition of the cut in VAT and the worsening economic conditions. They have further said that for season ticket holders who have held tickets for 5 years, there will be a 20% cut in 2012-13.
It has been noticeable that crowds have been quite low in several games this season. This move recognises that many supporters’ own financial circumstances are likely to become very difficult over the next two years. I suspect individual ticket prices will also plummet.
Whatever the financial consequences of this, the club have bought themselves a lot of goodwill today.
I think it’s a very positive move by the club and can only benefit everyone in the long term.
I know of several supporters who are already saying they may not be able to go to as many games next year,so this will obviously help.
Yes,good move West Ham.
Nice touch West Ham- good to see the club giving something back to the fans again, Mr Duxbury is endearing himself enormously as the face of our football club!
Sorry to be off topic, but at 13.30 on ITV4+1 (Sky 180) they are showing West Ham v Newcastle from 1979. It’s already running on ITV4 (Sky 120) but I’ve only just spotted it. Brian Moore commentating on the Big Match… happy says
Iain, maybe you could twitter this?
cheers
This is very sensible by the club and very positive for us fans and ultimately the team.
I have only been to Upton park a few times this season: by the time I have brought a ticket, travelcard, a bite to eat and a “few” beers I’m looking at doing like £75, which I just cannot sustain consistently.
In addition it can only have a positive effect on the players (ok maybe not Boa Morte) to have as many people in the ground as possible – how disheartening must it be to play at the riverside?
Word.
BTW Iain – looking very Dapper on C4 news last night
Wise move to drop ticket prices. Might as well try and fill the stadium every other week rather than have empty seats.
Wonder how long it will be before the premiership clubs bring players’ wages down to a more realistic level, too.
Unbelievable earnings.
Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking they are giving something back to the fans for altruistic reasons!
Does anyone actually think they would do this if the stadium was full most games?
They are certainly hoping that this is taken as a goodwill gesture, but I bet they are also hoping that it will cost them nothing, compensated by an increased turnout.
This is nothing but simple supply and demand adaptation even though this time it helps the cash strapped fans.
I doubt anyone thinks Ford is giving something back to the customers when they drop the prices in the current economical situation.
Glass half empty there then Joppe?
hi i know its off topic, but i’ve heard we are planning to break our transfer record by signing Atalanta’s striker sergio Floccari.When staying in Italy for a year i saw him play for Genoa and thought he was very impressive. this year he has scored 12 goals in 27 games. (bear in mind the Serie A is a very defensive league)One last thing he is not a front man, but prefers to play off him and with teams like villereal, milan, juventus, roma and zenit just a few intrested it could be a good buy, but for 9million and at 27 years old I think it’s too much (5-6 million more reasonable)…………Any thoughts?
No pleasing some people, Joppe. Though for the record Ford have just pushed through their second price increase THIS YEAR on account of increased costs, dropping sales and the strength of the euro. Prices (of anything) going down in the current climate is good news, whatever the anyone’s motivation. Staying in business and filling the ground is as good a reason as any, and I’m as cycnical as the next man.
Joppe seems to be suggesting that a “supply and demand adaptation” that reduces price is a bad thing. Why? And why is he surprised such an action is being taken? West Ham is a commercial concern. They need to make money. And if the stadium is filled with happy punters, that’s good isn’t it?
lighten up joppe you miserable git imo
No, no, no it’s a good thing for us fans if the price goes down, of course! Never argued against that! Please don’t twist my argument.
I do confess to being a “half empty” at times, but that is not the issue here.
I am NOT surprised by this action and I don’t see it, or most of the consequences, as bad things as I agree with all what Paul O’Decanyo says (and I hoped that would be clear also from my first comment), but when a drop in price, most certainly a business based decision, is presented/interpreted as a present from the Board I feel the urge to comment.
Blimey, is that a pig? This is the 1st time in my memory prices have been cut. The 20% idea is a particulary good one. Hats off!
It is obviously to do with bums on seats as stated above but it also fulfils two other functions:
1. Reduces the cost of a ST for those who were going to renew anyway, goodwill gesture
2. Encourages more people to renew who might not otherwise have done so, bums on seats but also guaranteed revenue for the club across the season (ie. making the club more attractive to an investor)
There is a business case for cutting prices undoubtedly, but concern for fans pockets is a consideration for the club. At the end of the day it keeps more money in our pockets and they have made this longer term commitment for a 20% cut! They did not have to do that.
Actually its funny to commit to that with the sale of the club pending. The new owners have probably approved it and, hopefully, they are so rich it is not even an issue!
Also, could you imagine the old board cutting prices? No chance.
Interetsing move with new owners coming – imagine the conversation
BG – Hello Mr Sheik its 150mil but I have just reduced a your revenue by lower ticket prices
Sheik – thats all right we will get more people in so we’ll make more money – I’ll give you 200 mil.
Still great for the fans.
8% reduction? Does this mean they’re not going to offer Neill a new contract?!
make tickets easier to buy,waited 40mins on the phone the other week,only to be told to ring back later,that was at 9 am when the tickets come on sale,what a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jack, Atlanta claimed they turned down an offer of 8 million last season, and want to start a bidding war to sell him near 14 million. So i don’t see 5-6 million being the final price.
Colin,
Buy your tickets online – no queues and you can even hand pick the seat you want.
The trouble l have with online is l have two sometime’s four menbership number’s ,but you have to pay for each ticket at a time,so by the time you get to book your next seat ,its already been sold,or is there another way of booking and paying for more then one seat at a time?