Derby County fan Bruce Ward 'betrayed' by 100% rise in Rams season ticket price
A RAMS fan says he feels "betrayed" by the club after the price of his autistic son's season ticket was increased by more than £200.
Derby County announced changes to the cost of season tickets on Tuesday, which they said would mean a price freeze for a majority of fans if they renew by April 14.
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Derby County fan Bruce Ward rips up his season ticket renewal form watched by his son Nathan.
But the changes will have an impact on some senior and disabled season ticket holders, including Bruce Ward and his son Nathan, 26, who have been going to games together for 15 years.
Mr Ward said he was shocked to learn that Nathan's ticket would be increasing by more than 100%.
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The 59-year-old, of Beech Avenue, Willington, said: "We sit under the screen in the northwest corner of the ground.
"I got the renewal for Nathan's season ticket this week and under the new pricing system the ticket has gone from £180 to £390 to stay in the same place.
"I just cannot believe it, it's appalling. I feel betrayed by the club."
Mr Ward who has followed the team for half a century and is a lifelong season ticket holder, says he has spoken to several other people who have seen their prices rise by as much as £50.
He said: "I just do not understand why they are making this increase in the current climate. If they were spending the money on Messi then we would be supporting them but they aren't."
Under the changes, disabled supporters who are being asked to pay more this season can, instead, buy a £230 seat in another area of the ground. However, when large contingents of visiting supporters are expected, such as for a game against Nottingham Forest, fans in these seats would be asked to sit elsewhere.
Mr Ward said this would still be a £50 rise and would be unsuitable for his son, who likes to have a set routine due to his autism.
Derby County chief executive and president Sam Rush said the club had talked to disabled supporters about the plans to evaluate pricing structures.
He said: "In particular, our disabled supporter liaison officer has held dialogue with many supporters over a considerable period of time."
According to Mr Rush, 80% of fans have had their season ticket prices frozen from this season and a wide range of value packages are also available.
He said: "Our aim has been to bring in as much choice as possible when it comes to watching the Rams.
"Despite reclassification in some areas, many fans, including young adults and disabled supporters are next season benefiting from price decreases.
"The vast majority of fans have had their season ticket prices frozen."
42 Comments
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by QAKID
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 2:27PM
“yes get in touch , we will have to meet up , go fora meal with the wives, for a chat about old times.I am posting this from my work computer but I have a home e-mail address and I am in the phone book , still in mickleover.
keep rockin”
by BruceW
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 2:13PM
“In Dubai at the mo with my son -will give you a bell when I get back”
by QAKID
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 1:53PM
“I think you have got me mate, nice to see you are still rockin,yes my company are one of the main sponsors of Burton Abion ( yes still woking ) and soe good stuff being played at the moment.
Does not seem 40 years since we were footballing an cricketing together.”
by BruceW
Wednesday, February 20 2013, 1:27PM
“See you soon Balcolm........ Legend!”
by QAKID
Tuesday, February 19 2013, 11:35AM
“good on you Bruce, come and watch burton albion with us
watch the best championship manager ( B.Davis.)go next season he will leave mr hopeless standing.
signed Malc B, (old tom ,sinfin B site,blade shop ) guess who”
by QUIT_MOANING
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 9:57PM
“Clear off Ward you sponger”
by BruceW
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 7:40PM
“Just received a call from DCFC and that area has been reclassified to £300.
I wonder why?
It's no longer a club - it's a business”
by QUIT_MOANING
Saturday, February 09 2013, 7:46PM
“Low income and Petrol going up PETROL ! hahahaha you can afford a car then !! what a darn cheek..... stop begging....beggy beggy beggy thats all we hear from 'oh I am disabled' or 'oh am Old' You dont see the Sick moaning about not ever being offered Freebies... So he's ortistc so what... There are many many cases of ortistic people who have written books ... Done incredible art... achieved so much..... I think its pathetic PATHETIC to use Ortism as an excuse to attempt to gain sympathy because you can ot get a freeby.....pffffff SHAMMMMMMEEEEE”
by smurf391
Saturday, February 09 2013, 5:06PM
“With all the moaning going on here you would think it was compulsory to pay up and attend Pride Park.The answer is simple,if you dont like the idea then dont pay and dont go eh?”
by clough46
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:45AM
“The Disabled and Seniors are not moaning for the sake of moaning. Lets face it, on their low inomes, they have seen, gas.electric, water and petrol prices rise and probably many other costs as well. Sam Rush, on behalf of GSE comes along and hammers this section of the minority again. If Sam does.nt want these people in the ground he should come out and say so.
From what we seen this week, he is driving these fans to near extinction, what a way to run a so called family Club
Mr Rush has arrived at Derby in an extremely comfortable position, housing reasonably cheap, moving expenses paid for by the Club with other benefits, not to mention a good salary, all paid for by the long serving fans, many of them the minority who are being fleeced.
These new increases are the next step in making Pride Park a waste land. Does'nt look good for the future does it.”