Cardiff City could be facing a problem when the season ticket price freeze finally melts
During their first season in their new Cardiff City Stadium,
chairman Peter Ridsdale launched the ‘golden ticket’ scheme, where fans were given two weeks to renew for the following year. As a sweetener, prices would subsequently be frozen for the following five years, offering the fans the possibility of watching Premier League football at a Championship price.
It was also suggested that a portion of the proceeds would be used in the forthcoming transfer window to reinforce the squad. In the end, the £3m raised by around 10,000 fans was used to clear an unpaid tax bill and the players failed to materialise.
Cardiff lost in the play-off final, Ridsdale departed and the rest is history. The forthcoming campaign is the fifth year of the price freeze and the club could have a big problem on their hands when it finally melts.
A sizeable chunk of the fan base, myself included, have been insulated from any price rises for a number of years and some fans would be expected to pay as much as £170 more if the price freeze were to end this year. That is a significant increase and some will simply be unable to afford to renew. If the club is relegated, as is increasingly likely, a lesser calibre of football is another obstacle to consider.
This is clearly a factor in the club’s accelerated application process for next year. You would imagine that if the club were able to remain in the top flight, prices are likely to increase again next year, or at best remain the same. If they go down, you will be asking fans to pay for an inferior product at an increased price. Either way, there will be financial repercussions for both the club and supporters.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fans-view-cardiff-city-could-6724873
