Do the board really want concessionary supporters?

[claptrappers_union]

Burnley Football Club only want fans to get into their wallets - season ticket holders with their lucky coats, snack bags and flasks, spend nothing more inside the stadium than a matchday programme.

[ClaretTony]

At a fans Q&A with the manager, I think it was Steve Cotterill, Lee Hoos, our Chief Exec at the time, hijacked the opening and did a bit of a rant the jist of which was 'in the USA, a $70 seat was a $70 seat no matter who sat in it'. He really did have a problem with concession pricing. So it's not surprising that the matter is at least being looked at, nothing new really.

That was the old Clarets Mad Q&A with Sean Dyche in Feb 2013 and the season tickets prices had just been announced. It was Lee who reduced the concession pricing initially.

[aggi]

It was once 50% across the board at Burnley. I’ve been paying around 40% discount since qualifying but down next season to just over 30%. Rest assured they will reduce that discount further next year if they get the chance.

Young adult prices up anywhere between 44% and 142% is even worse.

Yes, I realise those are the discounts, I was just wondering what you thought a reasonable discount was for a seniors ticket from full price?

[ecc]

Jonathan Wilson doesn't pull any punches there!

IMHO the best contemporary football journalist.

[GetIntoEm]

this conversation about prices seems to keep rolling. What are those affected by the biggest increase doing about it? have they refused to pay it?

i think any discount for over 65s is probably outdated, people work beyond that these days.

i think the kids should be where the savings are at, and they can still be found if you're flexible about where you sit. however, they probably bring the most "other spend" in, by wanting drinks, food, sweets etc, so probably balances out

[Rodleydave]

In a word NO

[MDWat]

I appreciate that this is quite an emotive subject, particularly if you’re in a pricing bracket which has seen two relatively large price rises over the course of the past two seasons.

However, I do think it’s important to recognise a few things:

1. It costs to be competitive and so the club must seek to find the right balance in pricing. We had around 10 seasons of no price increase at all to watch Premier League football, albeit at a time of minimal inflation rates. It’s a positive that the club didn’t increase the prices in that time.

2. The point above about the cost of a seat being the same to the club regardless of who sits in it is relevant. To maintain similar discretionary rates as those seen previously, you’d have to increase the rates for other cohorts. Given the adults price is greater than concessionary rates, we can only assume the club have tried to seek a greater balance.

3. On the flip, the club needs to recognise the value of supporters young, old and in the middle. Without the genuine supporters, the atmosphere is nothing and we all know that a good, raucous atmosphere is conducive to a better feeling in the stadium. If people are priced out, it impacts future generations and in the long run, that doesn’t work. This bit, in my view, is missing from the club thinking.

4. The rate at which the club have sought to close the difference between adult prices and concessionary rates is, in my view, a bit too quick. Personally, I think there’s room for a concessionary rate but if they wanted to close the gap, they need to do it over a few seasons and communicate that clearly. Communication at the club is a real cause for concern.

[morninbob]

To put the price raises into context, finishing 1 place higher will raise more than quadruple the revenue.