West Bromwich Albion have handed supporters a recession-busting boost by freezing season ticket prices for 2013/14.
For the second season running, adult prices will start at only £349, under-17s at £99, under-21s/students at £199 and seniors at £269 - if bought online.
These prices will apply to all seats in the two stands behind the goals, the Birmingham Road End and Smethwick End.
Adult prices in the East Stand ‘lower’ start at £399.
Fans will also be able to make the most of a ten-month direct debit option to help spread payment.
A nine-month interest free payment option is available to anyone who purchases a season ticket with an Albion Mastercard.
The club announced big reductions to season ticket prices last summer, and also revamped their pricing structure helping Albion to record their highest season ticket sales for four years.
Season tickets for next term will go on sale to existing season ticket holders and new applicants today (Thursday) at 9am.
The frozen prices are available until 5pm on June 3, 2013. Supporters who purchase a season ticket online will also pay £10 less than those who apply in person, over the phone or by post.
From June 4, 2013, all season ticket prices will be subject to review. Season ticket seats that have not been renewed before this date will, in the first instance, be made available to season ticket holders wishing to relocate, and then new applicants.
Chief executive Mark Jenkins said: “The price of attending football matches is very topical at the moment and we hope the fact we’ve frozen our prices, on the back of making big reductions last summer, will be welcomed by our supporters.
“The team are making good progress on the field, having been placed in the top half of the table for the entire campaign so far, and the supporters have played a big part in our excellent home record.
“We hope the team’s performances, the prospect of a fourth successive season of Premier League football and a pricing structure which compares favourably with clubs of our size will give season ticket holders a real incentive to renew and also encourage other supporters to become season ticket holders.
“It has been encouraging to see more young supporters and families becoming season ticket holders after we revamped our pricing structure last summer and we hope to see that trend continuing next season."
Albion are still yet to commit to any stadium redevelopment.
The initial preferred plans were for a second tier to be added to the West Stand, with work potentially due to start later this year with a view to taking the capacity up to about 32,000.
However, Albion recently analysed average Hawthorns’ attendances from over the last 50 seasons - there was a peak average of 27,500 in the 1968 and ‘79 seasons - which has prompted the club to now also look at other options of increasing the capacity to a slightly lower figure of 30,000.
Jenkins added: “The club are continuing to explore their options regarding the extension of The Hawthorns."
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-bromwich-albion-boost-fans-1744263
Season tickets and ground redevelopment
posted on 14/3/13
We haven't been out of the top half of the table all season.
I think developing that Woodman Corner would be the obvious option first. Halfords Lane still presents a problem to developing the West Stand fully.
Other options would be adding tiers to the other three sides of the ground.
posted on 14/3/13
JH, you want to put this on the Wolves board, some of that lot are paying £405 next season (£17.60 a game) for what could be League One football - and that's an indictment of their CEO.
posted on 14/3/13
So why does my name not show up?
posted on 14/3/13
I think the Brum Mail said that your attendances were up from last year by 300-500.The only team in the midlands to show an increase.
So you are going to increase the capacity. We have a man here that could help with that.
posted on 14/3/13
I think it is inspired thinking to freeze the season ticket prices. If we can stay in this league I expect TV revenue to become a bigger proportion of the total revenue year on year. Provided we stick to our guns on wages - and more and more clubs seem to be embracing Peace's common-sense approach - we will need to attract young players on the way up rather than established stars on big salaries.
posted on 14/3/13
"JH, you want to put this on the Wolves board, some of that lot are paying £405 next season (£17.60 a game) for what could be League One football - and that's an indictment of their CEO."
In fairness Aries they have little option.
They need to attract players to get back on the road to recovery and after this season there will be precious little TV revenue coming in.
posted on 14/3/13
True, Alouion, but I still think it's a bit steep for Wolves fans to put up with what they've had to put up with and still be paying more than us. I suppose Albion can afford to hold prices. Our current prices are 20% lower than eight eight years ago. Amazing.
posted on 14/3/13
2 seasons in a row they've been frozen now
Really is great stuff by JP.
posted on 14/3/13
According to Uncle Albert it's all about money for 'Peacey boy'.
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comment by Uncle Herbert (U16263)
posted 13 hours, 8 minutes ago
Had Peace not panicked, the FA Cup was very much on this season.
To go into that poxy Euro thing would be too much of a risk for next season. Better to avoid qualification via Prem position, too.
It's all about the money for Peacey boy.
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posted on 15/3/13
And only Uncle Albert can tell us where Peace panicked.
I think he's got the wrong chairman.
It's Steve Morgan who panics.
First Terry Connor, then Dean Saunders.
Two top managerial appointments there.