COLCHESTER United last night reduced their new season ticket prices for next season, in response to the furore surrounding their initial pricing structure last week.
Carl Marston
COLCHESTER United last night reduced their new season ticket prices for next season, in response to the furore surrounding their initial pricing structure last week.
U's owner and chairman, Robbie Cowling, took the brave and bold step of rethinking the Essex club's prices for next season, and as a result it will now be possible to watch Geraint Williams' men on a match-day basis for £20, as opposed to just a flat rate of £26.
In the original plan, adult season ticket prices for the 2008-09 campaign, which coincides with the U's move to a new ground at the Community Stadium, increased dramatically from £437 to £598, in all areas of the ground. A 15% discount for existing season ticket holders renewing before June 1 reduced that price to £502.
But under the revamped scheme, with a grading system based on where you sit in the stadium, the cheapest adult season ticket can now be purchased for just £391 (if bought before June 1), and that offer extends to new season ticket holders as well as existing ones. After June 1, these cheaper seats will rise to £460.
The cheapest tickets are in the wings of each stand, and these then gradually increase to the most expensive of £26 for the prime seats.
U's media manager Matt Hudson said: “In nearly half the blocks in the new stadium, it will be possible to buy a seat cheaper than the current price at Layer Road.”
In the family enclosure, one adult and a child will pay £25 for the two of them and, if they buy a season ticket, that will equate to £21 per game.
U's owner and chairman Mr Cowling had admitted: “When we first released the proposed pricing for next season's tickets in our new stadium, these were structured so that the same price was adopted for all of the seats regardless of their position in the stadium. On reflection, that was a mistake.”
The new-look season ticket prices will mean that adults can watch the U's in action for as little as £17 per game, while concessions see supporters able to watch for as little as £11 per match.
United will be playing in League One next season, after their relegation from the Championship was confirmed on Wednesday night.
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