Despite the fact that attendances are far lower than those being announced (in last night's case probably a couple of thousand lower), even our 'official' average attendance is now down to 16,780. It's now lower than the 2003/04 season in the fourth tier, when our attendance was 16,847,making it the poorest full season average attendance since the KC opened. What a great time to introduce a new pricing structure that barely anyone agrees with.
That in the back of obscene season ticket pricing for this current season. I was in Nottingham yesterday talking to a Forest ST holder he was absolutely staggered at the cost of a ST for us this season. He can well understand why this is impacting on our attendances, particularly given Hull is a working class City and some people don't have that amount of disposable income.
Don't know why I liked that, there's nowt really to like about the info. It's quite depressing to think how far the club has progressed in some areas but other areas are regressing significantly. Guess there's more to running a successful football club than just being successful on the pitch. Hope those responsible recognise soon that without supporters the club is nothing. Imagine how strong a club we could be if owners, management & supporters were unified. There's only one man's pride stopping it.
Was speaking with a Leicester City fan yesterday whose just renewed for next season. £380 for his seat + a free pass for his son whose under 10. This seasons prices were utterly obscene at the KC the one reason why I didn't renew and although next seasons pass would save me hundreds its just morally wrong and something I couldn't support and will therefore not be joining up.
Very sad indeed, the lasting legacy from the best decade in our clubs existence is 4th tier attendances and a complete feeling of detachment and resentment. Such a shame and a such a wasted opportunity.
And the rest. All of the cheaper seats will be sold first, followed by the £30 and finally £40 seats. I'm waiting to see how they're going to calculate match day prices but if there are only the more expensive seats left then they're going to have to be priced accordingly. If for example they only have £40 seats left for match days then £40 x 12 months/23 games (if we're in Championship) =£21 so match day prices are going to have to be at least £25 and with no concessions. I can see gates of 10,000 in the Championship unless the scheme is dropped.
No matter how I re-read that, it comes across wrong. I'm sure you're aware the same applies everywhere.
Looking at the new pricing zones the club could be in trouble if they charge more than home supporters. So N6 would be priced the same as zone 1, N7, E1 and E2 would be zone 1 and E3 would be zone 4. Ehab was upset when Liverpool fans bought children's tickets as part of their protest at our prices, so it wouldn't surprise me if there were no concessions. I don't think there is anything to stop them offering concessions to away supporters and not home ones.
Why does it come across as wrong? Hull is a working class city. Disposable income for extortionately priced season tickets will be thin on the ground. Hence people will not have renewed for this season, not the only reason. But for some it will more than likely be a factor. Priced out of games by our owners.
Something is going mad with predictive, I have corrected in blue. It comes across as wrong as I don't think there is any city in the country, working class label or not, that no longer has (or never did have) it's share of folk with disposable income difficulties. The more affluent a city/town/area, the more expensive it is to live there; I bet there are folk who would love to be season ticket holders of Manchester, Arsenal or Chelsea, but are priced out. Hull might only be exceptional in the percentage breakdown, rather than the demographic one, although I see hard times as fairly well distributed around cities.
But Hull probably more than most. Our ST prices are double that of some Championship teams. The owners also elected to put through a significant price increase upon relegation from the PL. It's a great place, but let's not kid ourselves it's not awash with money - yet. Hopefully the renewable energy sector will be a catalyst.
It makes you wonder how supposedly competent business ("read my CV") can get their business model so obviousy wrong.