Port Vale: Valiants launch season-ticket offer
by Michael Baggaley
-
Bill Bratt
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.
Click and print off your Port Vale season-ticket application form
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.
Other Port Vale stories today
Bratt urges fans to stay loyal
Fans' views on the season-ticket prices
Thompson turns from villain to hero
24 Comments
View all
by Matt, Trentham Lakes
Saturday, April 04 2009, 5:36PM
“I think id need to be paid a tenner a game to watch vale play!”
by Big Bill, Hanley
Friday, April 03 2009, 7:09AM
“Buy a season ticket for next season HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA was this a late April fool joke i wouldnt buy one while Glover is in charge if they were 50p”
by IAN FOSTER, FENTON
Friday, April 03 2009, 5:59AM
“Great prices again Mr Bratt well done, but I cannot part with £229 while Dean Glover is still manager. Sorry Bill.”
by Lucy Lastic, watching paint dry
Thursday, April 02 2009, 9:46PM
“It's great to see the Vale boss holding up what he thinks will be the number of season tickets they will sell for next season (",)”
by marianne, scotia
Thursday, April 02 2009, 8:37PM
“MICK,,,,have you lost the plot?????????8000 is just being down right mad...some people live in cookoo land”
by Boomer, The Vets
Thursday, April 02 2009, 6:59PM
“"I'm sorry the club was unable to repay that loyalty with success on the pitch." Well repay that loyalty now by getting rid of Glover before it's too late. If Glover goes I'll buy 3 on Saturday!”
by Gary, Endon
Thursday, April 02 2009, 4:22PM
“This is only going to work if Vale get rid of Glover. He will waste the whole £500,000 from Harlequin. He cant even attract decent loan players. He bought in Adnam Ahmed who seemed a half decent player but then left him out of the squad. Bet he regrets pushing Luke Rodgers out of the club now Marc Richards is injured.
I wont buy a season ticket at half last years price unless Glover goes. If enough people wait to buy the Board will have to do something. They.ll be lucky to sell 2000 with Glover on board.”
by mick, burslem
Thursday, April 02 2009, 4:18PM
“Why is everyone moaning, come on, get behind the lads and get the glory days back......You can all moan when we aint got a club to support......Lets get 8000 sold”
by Wayne, Stoke
Thursday, April 02 2009, 3:07PM
“Be nice if the club shared a vision with the fans, the club for me is just meandering in the dark at present, with no 2,3 or 5 year plan.
Having this in the public eye may give supporters hope in what is (certianly in my years of supporting the club) some of the darkest days on the pitch - 18th in division 4!”
by simon, tunstall
Thursday, April 02 2009, 3:04PM
“what the hell is Pratt grinning at,does he think every thing is looking rose.or is thinking of the money(or lack of it)”