Season Ticket Prices

[LouTheBlade]

This isn't a dig at you Lou, or anyone else for that matter, and I don't want to come over all Lee Strafford (urrrgh... awful image) but may I interject with a point as a devil's advocate?

A lot of people bemoan Kevin McCabe's (perceived?) lack of investment in the club and yet when ST renewal comes round, they withhold their money saying their return isn't worth it.

Couldn't KMc say exactly the same thing?

Is it hypocritical to have a go at McCabe for not investing if you are not prepared to do the same?

Yes totally. Of course its hypocritical and i'm glad you raised the point. I personally have mixed views on KM but I have recognised his past investment and accept he has probably been our best chairman to date. I am unhappy with the club's current financial situation but it's more that I feel we have invested badly, not that we haven't invested at all. I fully accept that the man can't subsidise SUFC forever and if I were in his shoes I wouldn't have in the first place but that's a credit to his love for the club.

I just feel that as much as a supporter can, I have invested a similar ratio of my earnings/assets in comparison to what McCabe has. He is just doing it on a much larger scale due to his immense wealth. I know a lot of supporters like myself have invested thousands of pounds in the Blades over the years as well so i'm not unique in that. But like McCabe, I can't fund it forever either. That's not a dig at McCabe its just me being blunt........

Our directors have harped on about the difficult financial climate and how the club has to tighten its belt. I accept that but its the same for us normal working folk as well. Times have been hard for all and I don't have a constant stream of bank loans and hotels to finance my future against like a football club has. It's time football, not just SUFC woke up and realised they are taking the game away from the people that made it, because eventually the game is going to burn itself out.

 

[Micalijo]

I don't think many people have complained about a lack of investment from McCabe.

I don't expect anyone to chuck money at a football club, but I also don't expect a chairman to merge a property empire with his club. I think alot of the risk had been shifted onto the football club.

we have 25k average crowds. That alone should make us a huge player in the CCC. we should sell young players on our terms and we should look like we serioulsy want promotion. I don't see that as the case, the priority now is McCabe getting his money back, which is fine, but it won't help shift season tickets.

 

[Blade58]

I don't think many people have complained about a lack of investment from McCabe.

I don't expect anyone to chuck money at a football club, but I also don't expect a chairman to merge a property empire with his club. I think alot of the risk had been shifted onto the football club.

we have 25k average crowds. That alone should make us a huge player in the CCC. we should sell young players on our terms and we should look like we serioulsy want promotion. I don't see that as the case, the priority now is McCabe getting his money back, which is fine, but it won't help shift season tickets.

Billsaja (spelling) on porktalk has stated that KM some time ago, moved the football clubs assets away from the property side, to protect its liabilities!

Sorry if that didn't make much sense. I may have mis-worded it.

 

[alcoblade]

It's the first time I have been seriously considering not renewing. I have had a season ticket pretty much for 20 years now (missed a couple of years when I bought my first house).On the whole I have been going to the match for nearer 30. I love match day, the pints before, seeing mates I don't normally see. It's my thing. My escape. I don't go out on the piss as much as I used to because of kids, bills etc. and I look forward to it. Normally.

I am becoming increasingly disillusioned with football as a whole. It's not just me getting older and more grumpy. I am sick to death of the mercenary twats that mince about on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon (or Sunday afternoon, lunchtime, teatime or whenever the fook those Sky tits try to squeeze another match in), don't give a toss about their clubs, then drive home in their Lambos, Pimp-mobiles etc. to try and decide at which club they're going to accept a nice signing on fee next. It annoys the hell out of me thinking I am funding this. Especially since last year my company nearly went to the wall and I haven't had a pay rise for 5 years.

My main problem would be telling young BB that we're not having a season ticket next year and we'll just be going to the odd match here and there when his Dad can be arsed.

I think it's an excellent post and the wages thing has really got on my tits of late BUT.....

I paid about £320 for my season ticket and got one of my lads for free. That's terrific value for the associated entertainment (ie the stuff you point out, beer, meeting mates, 1 in 10 games worth watching etc.). It costs me about £50 to take the kids to the cinema.

I'll be renewing next season and probably forever, or at least as long as the price doesn't make me feel like I'm being fleeced by the mercenary twats wearing the shirts.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Trust me i'm a salesman (not a bad one actually) and if they knock the ST prices right down the majority will bite.

I'm paid to know how buyers think; and the ones I deal with are often as tight as Sheffield folk

Lou, I mean this in the best possible way, but if you think season ticket prices are too expensive for you at BDTBL then I really question how good a salesman you are. Or more to the point, so does your boss.

UTB

 

[LouTheBlade]

Lou, I mean this in the best possible way, but if you think season ticket prices are too expensive for you at BDTBL then I really question how good a salesman you are. Or more to the point, so does your boss.

UTB

Are you serious?!

I am my boss, I'm a partner and we run a successful business that has done well through the recession. I don't claim to be the world's best but i'm not half bad for a 24 year old.

It has never been a question of whether I can personally afford a ST or not it is a case of;

1. I dont feel i'm getting value for money
2. I have a lot of outgoings (family, business etc.) that I have to consider

The fact that the players are earning twice or three times my salary in a week is just the tip of the iceberg!

 

[LouTheBlade]

I wasn't having a dig there - I'm just trying to figure something out.

A lot of the people I know who aren't renewing cite the cost. But in truth, if the product is good enough people find a way.

I know you weren't mate and I appreciate that. I know what you're saying and I have stumped up the money in the past even when it has been a bit tight.

What I mean by feeling the club is pricing me out, is that its getting to the point where I don't think what i'm getting is value for money against £400+ quid.

Look at it this way, I recently spent £800 on a sofa from SCS. I know its good quality upholstery, comfy and it will last me a good few years (probably 7 to 8 tops). THAT is value for money, so I don't mind spending it.........

Spending half that amount on 1 season ticket for 1 season of what is likely to be mediocre (at best) football is not my idea of getting a return on my investment. I'm just putting things into perspective, at the end of the day football is just another aspect of my life and in terms of monetary value it should be judged like everything else I pay for.

If I decide to stick my neck out at the last minute out of blind loyalty I probably will get the money together fairly easily yes. But i'm going to need some convincing.............

 

[ghandi]

Are you serious?!

I am my boss, I'm a partner and we run a successful business that has done well through the recession. I don't claim to be the world's best but i'm not half bad for a 24 year old.

It has never been a question of whether I can personally afford a ST or not it is a case of;

1. I dont feel i'm getting value for money
2. I have a lot of outgoings (family, business etc.) that I have to consider

The fact that the players are earning twice or three times my salary in a week is just the tip of the iceberg!

Say then the players on average are earning 5k therefore your salary is cicrca 80K per annum week and you say its difficult to find £300-400 for a ST?? Your business is doing extremely well if you can afford to pay yourself a salary of that size I suggest the cost of a ST isn't a large investment for you.

 

[ghandi]

Are you serious?!

I am my boss, I'm a partner and we run a successful business that has done well through the recession. I don't claim to be the world's best but i'm not half bad for a 24 year old.

It has never been a question of whether I can personally afford a ST or not it is a case of;

1. I dont feel i'm getting value for money
2. I have a lot of outgoings (family, business etc.) that I have to consider

The fact that the players are earning twice or three times my salary in a week is just the tip of the iceberg!

Say then the players on average are earning 5k therefore your salary is cicrca 80K per annum and you say its difficult to find £300-400 for a ST?? Your business is doing extremely well if you can afford to pay yourself a salary of that size I suggest the cost of a ST isn't a large investment for you.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Say then the players on average are earning 5k therefore your salary is cicrca 80K per annum week and you say its difficult to find £300-400 for a ST?? Your business is doing extremely well if you can afford to pay yourself a salary of that size I suggest the cost of a ST isn't a large investment for you.

You see you're making somewhat of an assumption there. Running a business brings its own running costs and you have a lot of outgoings to think about (i.e. cars, business rates etc.). It's not a case of me paying myself a big salary either (and I don't) because money has to go back into the business to ensure its future.

Making assumptions about what someone can afford is not relevant. It doesn't matter what I can afford - what matters is, is it worth £400+ of my own personal earnings. I doubt it. It might not be a large investment but it's not a sensible one either. Besides, I have to buy two!

My comment about player salaries was general. Maybe they're earning about 4 or 5 times more then - it wasn't a calculated comment, I was just making a point. I don't know exactly what footballers earn. I can promise you I don't earn 80K per annum - I wish!

 

[judge]

i must just be lucky ,the last 2 games ive been too have been hugely entertaining (palace and plymouth ) i think some of you have forgot why you fell in love with the blades and football in general

 

[MAQ]

I don't expect anyone to chuck money at a football club, but I also don't expect a chairman to merge a property empire with his club. I think alot of the risk had been shifted onto the football club.

Care to elaborate on this merger?

 

[ghandi]

You see you're making somewhat of an assumption there. Running a business brings its own running costs and you have a lot of outgoings to think about (i.e. cars, business rates etc.). It's not a case of me paying myself a big salary either (and I don't) because money has to go back into the business to ensure its future.

Making assumptions about what someone can afford is not relevant. It doesn't matter what I can afford - what matters is, is it worth £400+ of my own personal earnings. I doubt it. It might not be a large investment but it's not a sensible one either. Besides, I have to buy two!

My comment about player salaries was general. Maybe they're earning about 4 or 5 times more then - it wasn't a calculated comment, I was just making a point. I don't know exactly what footballers earn. I can promise you I don't earn 80K per annum - I wish!

Sorry but from your post you did mention salary hence me picking up on it in the first place. I know what you mean about 80k per annum it's a bitch for me on 75k per annum

 

[LouTheBlade]

Sorry but from your post you did mention salary hence me picking up on it in the first place. I know what you mean about 80k per annum it's a bitch for me on 75k per annum

Yeh thats fair enough ghandi and I probably shouldn't have brought it up in the first place but I guess I was trying to make a point. I am jealous of your 75k though. Makes my 74k feel like poverty!

I understand that there are probably people with tighter financial situations than myself, ready and willing to renew but for me it's just a matter of principle. £400 or more is a lot of anyone's money, know matter how much you earn. Anyone here who thinks £400 isn't a lot of money (and is worth forking out for mediocre football) is welcome to write me a cheque and post it :thumbup:

I just don't see why I should keep feeding the rich and greedy, when at best all i'm going to get out of it is occasional relegation from the Premier League. No other industry in the world could generate the same level of brand loyalty that football does! The product can be utter garbage and people still keep paying to see it!!! I'm not falling out of love with the Blades, i'm just starting to see the light.

 

[Wards]

i must just be lucky ,the last 2 games ive been too have been hugely entertaining (palace and plymouth ) i think some of you have forgot why you fell in love with the blades and football in general

or rather football has lost what made us fall in love with it? Or something like that. :fishy:

 

[Micalijo]

Care to elaborate on this merger?

Yes. We own 50% of Blades Realty Limited.

 

[Micalijo]

i must just be lucky ,the last 2 games ive been too have been hugely entertaining (palace and plymouth ) i think some of you have forgot why you fell in love with the blades and football in general

It's easy to say football is very different now but it is.

It's all about finances and therefore a decision to buy a season ticket is more and more about finance I reckon.

 

[DazBlade88]

i must just be lucky ,the last 2 games ive been too have been hugely entertaining (palace and plymouth ) i think some of you have forgot why you fell in love with the blades and football in general

I think you have been lucky, out of the 18 home games this season I'd say 6 have been entertaining.

On the second point, I think football has ruined itself which is why people aren't seeming to enjoy it as much as they used to. Too much money in the game has brought more expectancy from the fans. Results are important but the entertainment value is also just as important now. It's far less enjoyable when you have to spend so much going to watch a game, when the football on offer is quite dull on a regular basis. When it was cheaper, and you knew the players weren't earning almost your annual salary in a week, it was alot better all round.

 

[alcoblade]

Are you serious?!

I am my boss, I'm a partner and we run a successful business that has done well through the recession. I don't claim to be the world's best but i'm not half bad for a 24 year old.

It has never been a question of whether I can personally afford a ST or not it is a case of;

1. I dont feel i'm getting value for money
2. I have a lot of outgoings (family, business etc.) that I have to consider

The fact that the players are earning twice or three times my salary in a week is just the tip of the iceberg!

But you said;

"because I feel the club are pricing me out at the moment.!"

Which suggests it's a cost issue. Let's face it, if we paid for the entertainment we got, the club would go bust, simple.

Football is cheap at BDTBL.

UTB

 

[LouTheBlade]

But you said;

"because I feel the club are pricing me out at the moment.!"

Which suggests it's a cost issue. Let's face it, if we paid for the entertainment we got, the club would go bust, simple.

Football is cheap at BDTBL.

UTB

Well if that's what it suggested I apologise for being misleading. What i'm saying is that its more than i'm prepared to pay at the moment. By being priced out i'm not suggesting that I can't stump up the money, i'm suggesting that it's more than I feel it's worth.

I'm not one of these people that just pays for things because I can afford it. That's called wasting money. I pay for something if I think it's worth the price tag and at the moment I don't think ST's are for most clubs, not just United.

Anyway this will be my last word on the issue because;

1. I could go on all day (and no one wants that)
2. We haven't seen the prices yet

UTB

 

[KPO]

Postcard this morning with prices on:
Kop £299
Malta £409
Fortina Spa £409
GAC £409

Concessions 209/239
U16 119
U13 £10

U13s free when renewing adult ticker
Renew by 20th March and get a 2009/10 shirt half original price (wow!)

 

[Linz]

News on the OS now: LINKY

Sheffield United today announced their season ticket prices for the 2010/11 campaign - with a range of offers and concessionary prices.

From Monday 8th March, Blades fans can renew their tickets from £299 - a saving of £138 on match day prices. Free season tickets will be available to under 13s when purchased with an adult ticket and £10 Junior Blades membership. In addition, ticket holders who renew before March 20 will receive a voucher entitling them to purchase the current first team shirt for half the original price.

A 'Starting Eleven' competition will reward the first eleven people to renew. Each will receive a VIP day with the first team squad players at the club's Shirecliffe training ground.

Additional benefits include:

- Guaranteed seat for home League Cup and FA Cup matches

- Ten per cent discount in the Blades Superstore

- 200 bonus loyalty points in addition to the 2,500 season ticket allocation


Sheffield United chief executive Trevor Birch said:

"Our prices reflect the aim of the club to provide affordable family football. There is a small increase in prices, the first rise for supporters in three seasons, but we still provide over 50% of our season tickets at concessionary prices. As a community asset we believe it's important to continue to offer support to our loyal fans and are particularly pleased to maintain our free under 13 tickets alongside a new second child discount."

"We continue to offer some of the most competitive prices to watch football in the Championship - even though we no longer have the benefits of parachute payments to offset some of the costs."

"Our pricing structure reflects the value the club holds for the loyalty of the fans - particularly over the last few seasons when they have backed United in their thousands."

The club will continue to provide direct debit options from just over £6.50 a week depending on the seat in the season ticket renewal package.

With the push for a play-off place and average home gates of around 25,000 the club recognises the fans will form a vital 12th man in the next few months.

"We understand finances are tight for our supporters. We have developed a pricing structure for next season which recognises this situation. We have reduced prices for the last three seasons and the small increase next season in some packages reflects our continued ambition to compete at the highest level by maintaining a vital revenue source for the club," added Mr Birch.


Full details of costs are:

Adult renewals on the Frasers Property Kop are priced at £299 while seat prices in the VisitMalta Stand, GAC Stand and Fortina Spa Corner Stand are available at £409.

Concession renewal prices for under16s start at £119 in all areas of the ground, with adult concessions paying £209 in the Frasers Property Kop, rising to £239 in the VisitMalta Stand, GAC Stand and Fortina Spa.


Season tickets can be renewed: (deadline 17th April)
- by post,
- online at www.sufc.co.uk
- by fax on 0870 442 8709
- by phone on 0871 222 1889
- in person at the Bramall Lane ticket office.

 

[Darren]

Postcard this morning with prices on:
Kop £299
Malta £409
Fortina Spa £409
GAC £409

Concessions 209/239
U16 119
U13 £10

U13s free when renewing adult ticker
Renew by 20th March and get a 2009/10 shirt half original price (wow!)

So in real terms a Kop season ticket is now almost 500% more expensive than it was in 1976.

Has anything else increased in price to that extent over the last 35 years?

 

[MAQ]

So in real terms a Kop season ticket is now almost 500% more expensive than it was in 1976.

Has anything else increased in price to that extent over the last 35 years?

Footballers Wages?

 

[Bayingblade]

So in real terms a Kop season ticket is now almost 500% more expensive than it was in 1976.

Has anything else increased in price to that extent over the last 35 years?

House prices?

 

[Bayingblade]

So in real terms a Kop season ticket is now almost 500% more expensive than it was in 1976.

Has anything else increased in price to that extent over the last 35 years?

Cigarrettes?

 

[MAQ]

at the risk of being as thick as sand, can anyone elaborate on this?

The club will continue to provide direct debit options from just over £6.50 a week depending on the seat in the season ticket renewal package.

 

[Darren]

House prices?

No, gone up by about 250% since 1976

http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/indices-nationwide-national-inflation.php

 

[Darren]

Footballers Wages?

That would have a symbiotic relationship with ticket prices

Actually, I rather suspect that average footballers' wages have not increased that much. It is only the top players who have seen stratospheric increases.

 

[Linz]

at the risk of being as thick as sand, can anyone elaborate on this?

I'm assuming the DD admin charge will be based on a %age of the ST price. Meaning that it'll be lower for those in the Kop.

"£6.50 a week" sounds very expensive though.

Be cheaper to get a 0% credit card and try and pay it all off before the amount is due.