by Michael Baggaley

PORT Vale are offering supporters the chance to watch them for less than £10 a game next season.

Vale today launch a £229 adult season ticket, along with low-price junior offers.

The deal comes as chairman Bill Bratt apologises to fans for the team's performances, and thanks them for the 'fantastic' support which saw 6,500 season tickets sold last summer.

In a further reward to fans, the club is to freeze match-day prices for next season.

Admission will remain £19 for adults, £12.50 for senior citizens and £8 for juniors.

Vale have been forced to raise season ticket prices from last summer's £183 deal because of the tough economic climate.

The most severe effect has been the loss of more than £300,000 income from the supporters' savers accounts with the Britannia Building Society because of plummeting interest rates.

However, should 5,000 paying fans buy season tickets, everyone will get theirs at last year's price. Even the higher £229 price is £94 cheaper than the cost of a season ticket two years ago. Existing season ticket holders who renew receive a further £7 discount, down to £222.

Bratt said the decision to keep prices low was so as many fans as possible can afford to watch the club – and a thank you to supporters after a difficult season.

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Although Vale lie 18th in League Two, their average attendances are the third highest in the division.

Bratt said: "The fans showed fantastic support by signing up to the Target 5,000 campaign – and we ended up with a magnificent 6,500 season ticket holders.

"I'm sorry the club was unable to repay that loyalty with success on the pitch.

"But we must go forward. I can assure fans that every effort is being made to bring in investment and new blood to the club to create a fresh impetus and build a promotion push with a team the fans can be proud to get behind."

The Valiants have also kept prices low for junior supporters.

Season tickets for 14 to 18-year-olds are £99 (£4.30 a game), up just £10 from last summer. Tickets for 9 to 13-year-olds are £60 (£2.60 a game), up from £45. Meanwhile, season tickets for under-nines will remain free.

Fans have until the end of May to buy at the discounted prices.

Adult season tickets will rise to £279 in June and £319 in July.

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