It's a calculated attack on the older fan. Why would the club want to persist providing prime seats at half price to older fans who bring flasks, sandwiches and blankets, who would never buy merchandise (other than a match programme and the club want those gone for good) when those prime seats can be sold a full match day prices and the purchaser is a money laden day trippers.
No room for loyalty anymore even though it was the older fans who kept City afloat for years. We just have to face it, our time has gone and our club has gone. It's just the lead brand on the money making CFG franchise and old farts are no longer the target audience.
They are cynical about it too. About 3 years ago my daughter couldn't make the United game so we listed on Ticket Exchange. I never saw it come up for sale but just thought I'd missed it. At the game I spoke to the bloke next to me and I said he was lucky and quick to snap it up. He said he hadn't been and that he was on a corporate deal which involved a pie, and pint at the CFA and then he walked over the bridge with his freebie programme all for a bargain £200. I was raging as I could have took a friend but we gave the chance to a matchday member only for City to say sod that, we'll sell it as corporate.