Season tickets seem to be the main thing on most peoples minds now, in some cases the ONLY thing.
I find it a shame that this is the case as we ‘seemed’ to be turning a corner and actually getting back to football, and footballing thoughts, with most of our chat.
Now, not so much on the price increase – I maintain my thought that ‘most’ accept this and can deal with it – the issue of ‘trust’, given the request for cash/cheque payments within a 2-week period and ‘loyalty’ from the club to us are dominating most of our thoughts.
As you will no doubt know various petitions, complaints and grievances etc. have been made with The Pompey Supporters Trust putting some questions to David Lampitt this week.
The following was put to him to pass onto the board…
FAO: The Board of Portsmouth FC
The recent announcement regarding season ticket and match day pricing has caused uproar amongst the large majority of fans. The prices, timelines, administration fees and payment methods have forced many supporters to reconsider whether they will continue to support the club financially. Over the last two years the resolve of supporters has once again been tested and many are ready to break.
The price increase will make Pompey one of the most expensive season tickets in the Championship and we believe that without the concessions below the finances of PFC will be severely hit as supporters fail to renew season tickets and drift away from attending home games on a regular basis. In the interest of Portsmouth Football Club and its fans we ask the board to consider the following amendments, and due to the tight timescales we are working with, provide a response by COB on Monday 28th March.
1. Include first two home cup games in the price of the season ticket (alternatively consider reducing the price increase)
2. Remove price increase for OAP`s & fix at the lower price in all phases
3. Extend the first early bird period until May 6th allowing the majority of people two further paydays
4. Hold season ticket holder seats until May 31st
5. Allow payment by credit/debit card within the early bird period
6. Provide the facility for supporters to pay a deposit within the early bird period and settle the account by June 30
7. No third phase of pricing
8. Remove credit/debit card administration fees
9. Remove the concept of category A fixtures
10. Provide areas of the ground that have cheaper match day tickets
11. Remove the additional 2 GBP match day administration charge
Read the full article on The PST website – here.
As always some will agree with what is being asked of the club, others will not. People will want to know exactly who came up with the suggestions and how they went about doing this, which again will see some agreement and some disagreement.
To be completely honest – and speaking purely for myself – I again say that my main area of contention is not so much the increase but the disgraceful 2-week window to get the ‘early bird’ price, more so the request to stump up this amount in full and in cash (or cheque) if you do not want to take out the clubs finance option, or pay £50 more after this window…
Also the £2 admin charge for match day tickets is wrong – a lot of clubs do actually charge a little more ‘on the gate’ on the day, and although I might be wrong, it seems as though PFC are looking to charge an admin fee of £2 per ticket each time?
A response ‘should’ come by Monday, so – even though I have now decided to renew as Trina (my other half) has lent me the cash – I would think, if possible, hanging on until next week would be a decent idea as a better payment structure may present itself, although I would not be holding out too much hope!
What for those that have already renewed though ‘if’ some change is made, a whole new can of worms is opened then I guess!
Lets just hope that PFC can sort out this mess, swiftly, so we can try to get back to footballing matters again – I know I was enjoying doing just that again recently…
Although it would ‘seem’ that given the latest offering from The Pompey Site (Season Ticket Q&A Part Two – here) that there will be little, or no, room for manoeuvre by the club?
PLAY UP POMPEY!
