Stoke City: Peter Coates urges fans to renew season tickets
STOKE City chairman Peter Coates has taken the unprecedented step of writing to wavering season-ticket holders to try to boost flagging sales ahead of tomorrow's deadline for cheapest prices.
He has appealed in person to their loyalty to try to twist the arms of those in two minds because of recent results and performances.
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Stoke City chairman Peter Coates
Many fans have already insisted they will not renew – and sales were sufficiently slow last week for public appeals to be made by Coates, pictured below, and Andy Wilkinson.
But lengthy queues were seen at the Britannia box office yesterday, while the club were also hoping for brisk business on-line.
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Season-ticket sales – an acid test of current unrest among Stoke fans – are expected to fall short of last summer's record of around 22,000
Any slow down will also persuade the club to put on ice plans to raise the Brit's capacity to more than 30,000 by filling in the scoreboard corner between the east and south stands.
In his letter to supporters, Coates tells them they have played a critical role in the club's success since he and his family bought the club back off the Icelanders in 2006.
"A number of factors have contributed to that success," he writes, "not least the tremendous unity throughout the club and the incredible support for the team.
"As a season-ticket holder, you are the bedrock of that support."
He pulls no punches on a run of one win in 11 league games, by adding: "I know that by comparison with some of the good times we have experienced over the past few seasons, 2013 has not been the best of years so far.
"However, I've been in football long enough to know that you have good runs and bad runs and both come to an end.
"It's also clear to me that bad runs generally come to an end much quicker if everyone stays together.
"These are difficult economic times and that is why we do our very best to keep prices as low as possible.
"If you are in a position to renew, I urge you to continue to show your support of the club."
As a further enticement to season-ticket holders, and in celebration of the club's 150th birthday this year, the names of two supporters renewing before tomorrow's deadline will be included in a prize draw for two free tickets for Stoke's next 150 home games.
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by MyVince
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:01AM
“johnson / boothernender still peddling his rubbish postings on here,
even he declares this a NOTHING site.
Hopefully when Pulis goes, J /B will also disappear”
by Davejjohnson
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 7:09PM
“You support your club when it get's a bit rough if you can afford it. If you don't then you don't deserve the good times. Some laughable stuff gets written on here "season tickets at an all time low". Where have you been for the last 30 years you idiot ?”
by FrankK
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 7:07PM
“Bgbg, I hope ground expansion isn't "cancelled". With this club's fanbase, we'll fill it on many occasions, esp if our tactics evolve to offer more creative interplay. Even more so when economy improves.”
by bcbg16
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 6:08PM
“Expansion of the ground cancelled,season tkt sales at an all time low.All down to one person TONY PULIS ,He is the single reason Mr.Coates you are having to come cap in hand and beg hardened Stokies to renew,well I am sorry it just isn't going to work.Including myself I know of at least five others who won't set foot in the place whilst he is there.I am so glad the fans are talking with their hard earned now,why on earth would anyone want to sit and watch the dross every week.I can honestly say I have probably seen 5-7 games in the last 120 where I feel I had value for money-less than 5% thats woeful Mr. Coates and you are getting nothing less than you deserve for sticking with the clown for so long.In my opiion there are far too many hangers on and jobs for the boys down there all spearheaded by the mother of all that is dross Mr.Pulis.”
by brinsleymaclagan
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 1:30PM
“How many times, Mr. Coates, this is NOT about a bad run of results, it is about years of negative, ugly football. We were promised progress in the team's style of play! Where is it?
We have better quality players now, but the style hasn't changed, and Pulis shows no sign of wanting to!
That is why I will not be renewing my season ticket as a supporter for 45 years!”
by bazamor
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 12:02PM
“Pulis out.. I am In. Pulis In....I am out. Simples.”
by STHolder
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 11:47AM
“If the corner development is delayed/ cancelled, it will be a kick in the teeth to those that have renewed irrespective of the number of renewals. It would fly in the face of the "club is moving forward" statements. Now is the BEST time to expand, if it doesnt happen, the perception amongst the fans will be the club is considering the possibility of relegation over the next season or two.”
by FrankK
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 11:46AM
“No fan of our football style, but speaking to fans from other clubs recently & they all think we'd be mad to sack him & need a reality check, unless he goes of his own accord.”
by jackdawsson
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 11:07AM
“NOONESHOME, according to Ceefax, DMail have "an exclusive" on Pulis maybe (?) leaving. Not a paper I read with this exception, but article has garnered a fair number of comments, most against Pulis's style of football.
However, I also agree with Yolo. Support for the club from those who can afford it is vital to future success, whoever the manger is.”
by stokieme
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 10:57AM
“Sorry, but while the prat in the hat Pulis is in charge I will not be renewing my season ticket. I can no longer sit and watch the rubbish he serves up as football. Watching paint dry is more entertaining than the dire football served up bu Pulis.
Each game, apart from Liverpool I have sat bored silly, if it were not for my IPod, I would have left games during the first half. I work very hard for my money, I have not had a pay rise since 2007, so I have to justify what I spend my money on. I love my football, so I will just watch entertaining games on Sky from now one.”