It's always welcome news when ticket prices are reduced. However, the suspicious mind I have wonders if the new board have been forced into this with the continually falling gates. I know some will say they planned to reduce the prices at half term, and at Christmas, for all the reasons already given, but I would contend that if they had planned this, they should have announced their intentions at takeover time, and most certainly not wait until 2 or 3 weeks before the matches. Smells horrifically of panic selling to me. What worries me more than anything is that even if there is a plan & policy in place, the board have still made no announcements to this effect. Their communications & marketing managers deserve to get fired at the very least. Good news like this announcement should be shouted from the rooftops, as far in advance as possible. For instance, will there be reductions later in the season? Gawd knows! Every opportunity to win us over is being stumbled over. Will we ever get get coordinated planning & communications from this board? Oh, before I forget, here's the link to the price reductions ... http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20130118/watch-leeds-for-less_2247585_3045196 One key paragraph for me is "Existing Season Ticket Holders are also assured that the above pricing offer will be factored into account in the pricing of the 2013/14 Season Ticket prices". Remember the debate we had about reducing the half-season prices, when I advocated that the above action could be taken to allow the half seasons to be sold at less than Bates rates? As I said, not a whiff of coordination, policy or planning. Knee jerk all the way!
Simon, just confirms that Bates may still be involved with the club as a President, but that that is very definitely a figurehead role with no power to wield. All promising stuff.
Leeds fans complaining about the club reducing ticket prices. And as for trying to encourage youngsters back to Elland Road, what are they thinking ! I really have heard it all now. GFH get out now while you can, you'll never win
It was always a no brainer, but Bates wanted top cash for foo all. At least these guys seem to realise that without crowds they have no cash, so lets hope they also realise that without a product to please the paying guests, they have no chance of pulling crowds in
I obviously didn't articulate my point clearly enough. Basically, if this was planned, the policy should have been announced ages ago. It would have been an excellent PR coup, and fantastic news for us all. However, we're being drip fed this 'good news'. And it's with a backdrop of falling gates that they've taken selected games that could potentially have even lower gates. This is not a policy, but knee jerk reactions! My challenge to the board - if you have a ticket pricing policy & future strategy, announce it now. Otherwise people like me will suspect that you've never had a plan and haven't a clue what you're doing.
How can they announce it 'ages ago', they have only been in charge few weeks. They have done more to engage the fans in a few weeks than Bates did in 8 years and you're still moaning. Unfookingbelievable
Thombob, when you're spending millions of pounds, no-one will let you do so unless you have a sound business plan, including strategy & policies, as well as the numbers all adding up. You try going to your bank manager to borrow £5k to start a business and see what he asks you to provide! I'm saying that all this should have been in place, and available to announce as a coordinated policy as early as takeover day. Not one policy or hint of strategy has been announced so far. If you think tweets of 'VERY DISAPPOINTED' and such of that ilk are improved communications, then all I can say is that you don't expect much.
Of course they had no alternative, if we had been selling out they would never had reduced the prices and why should they. Any retailer or service provider will charge as much as they can get away with, if the demand isn't there you reduce it. I am glad that they have made this move, it is good for business and good for the fans and good for the team.
....Did I really just read someone complaining about ticket prices being lowered...? They've taken time to listen to the fans complaints and suggestions and have now introduced a great deal for half term week to get kids to games. Not only that, but have introduced concessions in the West Stand and student tickets. This is a great move from the club. Obviously they can't just lower the prices for the rest of the season, because people have already bought STs. What a load of bollocks that people complain about this.
Kids for a 5er. People have been calling for this forever, and when it finally happens people still complain
Perhaps I should refer you to the very first sentence of my OP - "It's always welcome news when ticket prices are reduced." Happy now that I'm not complaining about the reduction? I agree that it's a good move. I'm simply questioning whether they were forced into it, or if this is a knee-jerk reaction to fan complaints, or simply part of a poorly executed master plan. I'm beginning to wonder if you actually read any of my postings. As I quoted im my OP above, this is from the Official site ""Existing Season Ticket Holders are also assured that the above pricing offer will be factored into account in the pricing of the 2013/14 Season Ticket prices". Obviously!
This is clear evidence that GFH know we have no chance of success on the field this season, and won't be spending to rectify it, so are trying to shore up the falling gates by some price promotions. How about that for negative spin?
Well its now or never for the leeds fans to prove that lower prices are the way forward for the club. If there isn't a significant rise in attendances then that is proof higher prices make better business sense and will be maintained in the future. So grab your tickets lads and get the word of this offer out! Well done to GFH showing more initiative in a month than bates has in 8 years btw
I have been waiting to take my six year old lad to his first Leeds game, but wouldnt take him on principal while Bates was in charge with his ludicrous pricing policy which has driven fans away. I will definately be taking him (AND the Mrs!) at those prices! Well Done to the new owners for actually listening to the fans AND making a sensible decision!! MOT
Unfortunately the two games the reduced tickets are for are pretty low key games, I don't see this causing a massive upturn in gates. It'll get a few kids involved and is more of a sign of things to come. Slowly slowly catchy monkey.
I took a call from ER earlier this week. They are in the process of ringing all ex-season ticket holders who have left in the past couple of years to find out why they left. In talking to the guy, the main reason was prices too high. This is a good move, but they should have done it as part fo their pricing structure for the half-season tickets for the rest of the season. I understand why they didn't though - the football is dire and Leeds fans are completely disillusioned. I'm not sure this will bring in the numbers at this moment
I can now take my grandchildren to games again I have had to take them to Town as it was a quartyer of the cost so well done new owners
Just really noticed, the prices for the West Stand and East Central include concessions, and the prices are exceptionally good. A really good opportunity to take my 5 year old to his first ever match v Posh. But he gets bored watching things, so no idea if he will sit through
