Ipswich Town have today announced an adult season ticket price rise for the fourth successive year.

An increase of 1.5% equates to just 27p extra per game for those in the lower tiers of the Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey stands – a seat in those areas now £423 for the year – but the move is likely to be met by criticism following a frustrating 2016/17 campaign.

More often than not it’s been forgettable footballing fare dished up at Portman Road over the last 18 months and Mick McCarthy’s men are in danger of their lowest league finish since 1959.

Managing director Ian Milne says the decision is ‘regrettable’, but that owner Marcus Evans felt it was necessary in order to meet the rising costs associated with his five-point plan.

The club has expanded the Under-20s concession band to Under-23s in an attempt to combat what Milne describes as football’s ‘demographic timebomb’, but at the opposite end of the scale concessions for seniors has been raised from 60 to 65 years of age.

Around 800 current season ticket holders are in that 60-65 bracket, while more than 2,500 are Over-65s.

If 12,750 season tickets are sold by August 4 then all those who have purchased a seat for 2017/18 will receive a 5% refund. The club currently has around 12,000 season ticket holders.

Milne said: “We recognise that we need more young fans to join us at Portman Road so we have put in place an U23s ticketing strategy for next year at affordable prices.

“The restructuring of U23 pricing means those in education or apprenticeships, with less disposable income, can come to games for just over £5 or £10.

“These are very competitive prices and allows young people to attend a professional football game at pricing that is way below many other types of entertainment.”

He added: “Regrettably we have had to increase the adult ticket prices at a level just under current RPI (Retail Price Index).”

The 12-month interest free direct debit scheme remains in place, while all admin fees have been scrapped. Information will be posted to current season ticket holders at the end of next week.

Season tickets go on sale a week on Monday (March 27), with the full list of prices now at www.itfcdirect.com. The ‘Early Bird’ deadline for discounted rates is midday on Monday, April 17.

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