So why is it any different to paying for a season pass over 12 months? Apart from supporters having the option of cancelling? As you have to give 3 (?) months notice but also ( I think?) have to pay a joining fee, I can’t see that this bring in extra members/pass holders?
Paying over 12 months is done through a loan offered by finance providers, you sign up to the full amount, often with interest and then have to reapply the following season. It’s rarely 12 months either, most providers will do a max of 9 months which make payments more expensive. You also have no option to leave until the end.
A direct debit has the advantage of only ever advertising the monthly price, which is low as its spread over 12 months, I bet a large proportion don’t actually know how much they pay in a year. You also have to opt out to leave rather than reapply each year, again a common tactic in customer retention for other industries

