yeseye
Well-Known Member
This is the funniest thing i've ever read.Season Tickets Now on sale
They are at it again! Fleecing their fans once more with the begging bowls out.... season tickets for next season start at the 'suggested price' of £100 with an additional 'donation' (is that tax evasion?) of £75..... But then they are offering three year season tickets..... wait for it...... for £1,000 - which includes a free pint at each game and a raffle ticket! Any fool contributing a grand to a club on its financial knees in the hope the club will even last three years needs their head examining.
Season tickets 2017-18
Following last Thursday’s General Meeting we are beginning to look ahead to the sale of season tickets for the 2017-18 season, our third in National League North. Season tickets are the financial lifeblood of this football club, accounting for around half of our match day income, and allow us to plan effectively and realistically for the season ahead. With regard to season tickets for the 2017-18 season you can help your football club in two ways, both of which are equally valued.
“Pay what you can afford” season tickets
At the General Meeting members voted in favour of continuing with our pioneering “pay what you can afford” season tickets for next season with a minimum price of £100 for adults, £65 for concessions and £21 for juniors.
Our “pay what you can afford” scheme was introduced for the 2009-10 season, with the hope that those who can afford to do so will choose to pay more thus subsidising those who pay less. As in previous seasons we would greatly appreciate it if supporters, who can afford to, add a donation to the minimum season ticket price. For the 2017-18 season we are suggesting an average donation of £75 on top of the adult season ticket price of £100 so that we raise at least £175 from each adult season ticket sold. This is equivalent to an entry price of £8.33 per match (the pay on the gate price for adults next season will be £10).
Supporters who are able to pay more than £175 are encouraged to do so as every extra pound we raise is invested in the club and helps us to plan financially for the season ahead. For instance, if you wish to pay the equivalent to the general admission prices, this works out at £210 for adults.
The suggested donation of £75 on top of each adult season ticket price represents an increase of £15 on this season’s suggested average donation of £60. The decision to suggest this increase was one that was not taken lightly by the board but is driven by the seriousness of the club’s current financial situation. If there is one lesson that we must take from the events of the last year it is that moving forward FC United must be run responsibly, sustainably and professionally with a credible and robust financial plan. Making a donation of £75 or more on top of each adult season ticket price will assist us greatly in this process.
Timing is also important too with the date of the General Meeting being brought forward by several weeks specifically so that we could commence the sale of season tickets for next season as soon as possible. We would therefore ask all supporters to think about purchasing or renewing their season ticket for next season as soon as they possibly can so that we can begin planning properly for next season.
Three year season tickets
Members also voted in favour, at the General Meeting, of the club introducing a limited number of three year season tickets at a price of £1,000 each. These tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis and limited to a maximum of 200. The three year season tickets will be valid for all home league fixtures in the same way as an ordinary season ticket and will not offer entry to cup matches or friendlies. They will also hold the same rights to away tickets as one year season tickets.
As a three year season ticket is priced higher than the recommended “pay what you can afford” scheme a number of additional features will be available for those who purchase a three year season ticket;
one drink voucher per match entitling the holder to a free alcoholic or soft drink
one voucher per match entitling the holder to a free ticket for the Pound for the Ground draw
a free electronic version of each match day programme for all home league matches
free entry to a yearly prize draw (with prizes to be confirmed but will be around £500 in total value per year)
We know that £1,000 is a lot of money and it is very important that no one is perceived, in any way, to be a second class supporter as a result of not being able to afford or choosing not to purchase a three year season ticket. This scheme is definitely not about having different classes of supporter; as with the increase in the suggested donation for the “pay what you can afford” scheme it is driven by the seriousness of the club’s current financial situation.
The introduction of three year season tickets aims to build a pot of up to £200k of working capital to strengthen the club’s underlying financial position and support a number of projects. The three year season tickets are critical to stabilising the club’s finances in the short term and ensuring that the club can be run sustainably and responsibly in the long run. Again, this is a decision that has not been taken lightly but without taking strong and decisive action such as this the future of our supporter owned and run football club, and the delivery of our important community work, is at risk.
In particular, the board recognises that the introduction of three year season tickets will mean bringing income forward but this would not be the first time that this has happened in recent years. For example, it was the reason why the club lacked money in July 2016 as income relating to the 2016-17 season was effectively used to make payments for 2015-16.
The board is also very aware of the need to be as clear as possible about what the working capital will be used for - this money will definitely not disappear into a black hole. The working capital will allow the club to proceed with a number of infrastructure projects that will allow us to reduce costs or generate additional income on match days or through community use. For example, the club currently spends over £8k per season on renting portable toilets but by having the capital to invest in building more toilets we will not only have better toilets but the savings generated will ensure that they pay for themselves in little over a year. Furthermore, having a pot of working capital available will enable us to get on with projects such as this without recourse to a bank overdraft facility. We are clear that members and supporters must be able to see the changes that have been made as a result of this working capital.
Supporters should also be aware that if our bid for Power to Change funding for the redevelopment of the St Mary’s Road End is successful then we will require an immediate pot of money for this project. We are estimating that it would take roughly two months to carry out the necessary building works to the St Mary’s Road End so we would be looking to begin this work in early June so that it is ready for the start of the new season in August.
We would therefore ask any supporters who might possibly be able to afford to purchase a three year season ticket to consider doing so as soon as they can. Alternatively if you know someone who might be interested in supporting the club in this way then please spread the word about the three year season tickets. The working capital that this scheme creates will play a crucial role in safeguarding the future of our football club.
To buy your season tickets http://www.fcumshop.co.uk/showpage.php?page=page404
This is our football club, it belongs to you and me. Thank you for your continued support of FC United.
The price of the ST changes 4 times!
