Archived News from July 2007
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ADMISSION PRICES GO UP, SSA RESPONDS
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SSA Committee statement on news that admission prices will go up:
"SSA have made it absolutely clear to James Derry that we are opposed to any price increase for supporters. At a time when the club appear to be turning down potential foreign investment from Australian bidders, appear to be unable to attract club or shirt sponsors and poor safety standards result in cuts to capacity which potentially limit club income, fans are now expected to pay more to watch our team. SSA understands that prices cannot be frozen forever and these increases make season tickets better value but players, managers and eventually owners come and go but supporters are the lifeblood of the club. In the current circumstances SSA would have hoped that admission prices would be frozen and the club would be concentrating all efforts on finding a buyer capable of moving the Stags forward on and off the pitch." SSA Committee Admission prices go up - but cut for the SSA CHAD website, 10 July 2007 By John Lomas GATE prices are going up at Field Mill for the first time in four years for the new season. But Stags fans without season tickets can avoid the increase and even save themselves £1 a game on last year's prices by joining the Stags Supporters' Association and sitting in the South Stand. "We have not increased prices for three years and it's no secret the finances of the club are not brilliant so we have had to do it," chairman James Derry told Chad. "But we have met with the SSA first and assured them we would look after them. "We will be playing a lot of local derbies this season and we have to compete locally on prices. "Lincoln's prices are very similar to our new ones but Rotherham and Chesterfield are much more expensive. "We have got to maximise as much as we can and if our supporters are having to pay those prices away it's only fair away supporters will have to pay those prices when they come here. "That's only reasonable. But we want to make sure our own supporters are catered for here which is why we have discussed it with the SSA. "This will encourage people to join the true supporters' association and we are working closely with them." He added: "After three years it is inevitable prices will go up as costs go up and wages go up while our crowds have gone down. "I am sure some supporters will point out we are putting up prices after two bad seasons. But by generating more income it will enable us to bring in more players. "Everyone we wanted to return has done so apart from Giles Coke. "And everyone knows we made Alex John-Baptiste a fantastic offer which we were delighted he accepted. I am sure a lot of people are surprised he stayed but we see it as a very positive sign and we can build a team around him. "We are still waiting on Stephen Dawson but if Billy would like to bring in a couple more players we have given him the authority to do that. We now have a proper base to work from. No one in our league has better training facilities than us which is a step in the right direction. "And the players are all fully behind Billy as they were in February/March when we were hit by all those injuries." South Stand adult admission prices will go up from £16 to £18 on the gate, but a vouchers book for SSA members will allow them admission for £15. SSA joint chairman Steve Danby said: "The SSA have told the football club they we are opposed to any price increase. "At a time when the club are turning away potential Australian bidders, are unable to get shirt sponsors or club sponsors and their poor safety standards have led to a 50 per cent capacity cut, it seems they expect the fans to pay more. "Directors, players and managers come and go but the supporters are the ones that are always with the club. "SSA understands prices canot be frozen forever and with these discounts it obviously makes season tickets and SSA membership more attractive. "We do understand the new safety officer brought in is leading the way to improve safety standards at the football club. "But we hoped prices would be frozen this season to encourage more supporters to come along, bringing in more revenue for the club and, hopefully, get improved performances on the pitch." Field Mill prices rises are: West Stand Upper up £1 to £17, Lower up £1 to £16, South Stand and North Stands up £2 to £18. Other prices remain unchanged. Junior prices are £8 West Stand Upper, £7 elsewhere while senior citizen prices are £11 West Stand Upper and £10 elsewhere. Students are £10 for West Stand Lower, North and South Stands. Disabled price is £16 West Stand Lower and £18 North and South Stands, assistants/carers admitted free of charge. In comparison, other local club prices are - Rotherham: Main Stand home fans £22 adults, £14 concessions and £10 juniors. Away supporters £20, £12 and £8; Chesterfield: Behind goal: £17, £12, £11 and Main Stand £19, £14, £13; Lincoln: Pre-purchased £15, £11, £5, Match day for away fans £17, £12, £6. You can join the SSA online at http://www.stagsnet.net. Mr Derry assured fans he would keep to his word about giving them a £5 admission game which he is planning to make the second home game against Stockport County on Saturday, 1st September. Some fans have claimed he told them at a meeting that it would be for the first home game but Mr Derry said: "I have been misquoted. "I said very clearly that if we ended up with a big local derby first game then it wouldn't happen for that one. "That's what's happened with us getting Lincoln. But it will definitely happen after that." Stags fans can join the SSA at the Stags/SSA Field Mill Open Day on Sunday, 22nd July (noon-2pm). The SSA and the Ollerton Stags Supporters' Club will have stalls there and Billy Dearden and the players will be in attendance for photographs and autographs. There will be a club shop sale of last season's stock and season tickets will be available to pick up. Stags may play some of the younger first team squad members alongside youth teamers in a friendly at Northern Counties East League neighbours Glapwell this Friday (7pm). Stags' game at Chesterfield on Saturday, 22nd December will kick off at 1pm. Supporters attending all three of Mansfield Town's pre-season home friendlies against Leicester City, Derby County and Huddersfield Town can save £5 by buying a three game ticket in advance by Thursday, 19th July (5pm). Per game admission is £10 adults and £5 concessions but both adults and concessions can save a fiver with the advance ticket for all three. |
Latest | July 2007