Portsmouth asked to reconsider ticket price plans

Wed 23rd Mar 2011 | Money & Finance

A Portsmouth supporters group will meet chief executive David Lampitt tomorrow to encourage the club to reconsider the structuring of season tickets for next season.

Portsmouth plans to increase the cost of the tickets for the 2011/12 season, but to expect fans to pay up-front by the end of March – or take out one of the club’s finance plans.

But fans of the club have reacted furiously to the announcement with the average ticket going up by around £50 for an adult during the ‘early bird’ stage.

However, fans have been told if they want to take advantage of these ‘early bird’ prices, they must pay by cash or cheque – or face an extra £50 in the second phase.

The alternative is to use the club’s finance plans – which  comes with an administration fee.

Ashley Brown, board member for the Pompey Supporters Trust who will meet with Mr Lampitt, told local nes paper The News: “I am making some recommendations that the club rethink some of the pricing.

“Not necessarily the basic price rise but the way the dates have been laid down and some of the administration fees and the match day ticketing.

“We are suggesting rather strongly that they review things, otherwise I think we will be looking at some rather empty seats at Fratton Park next season.

“People are being asked to pay way before the season ends – fans who go to the away games have got to find money for that first.”

Portsmouth have said the price rise is down to the VAT increase and a levy to the Football League and that the reason it cannot accept credit or debit cards is due to a system it inherited from its time in administration.

However, the club said this is being renegotiated and it’s hoped to be introduced by the second phase.

But Mr Brown argued; “They aren’t making it easy for people. At the end of the day, however passionate people are about the football club, for most people it’s still considered a luxury item to go and watch them.

“In times of austerity, we have to do everything we can to make it easy for people but Portsmouth Football Club seem to have done everything they can to make it difficult. We are struggling to understand why they are doing this.”

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