Derby County's climb-down over season ticket prices 'too little too late'
DERBY County has announced a re-think over its £200 increase in the price of a season tickets for some disabled supporters.
The Rams have now taken the decision to knock £90 off the price of a new season ticket – bringing it down from £390 to £300.
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Bruce Ward, with his disabled son, Nathan Ward, 26, have been watching Derby County together for 15 years but Mr Ward has decided not to renew their season tickets after changes to the pricing system.
The decision comes after the father of an autistic fan took exception to the recent price increases at the club.
Bruce Ward, of Beech Avenue, Willington, and his son, Nathan, 26, have been going to games together for 15 years.
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But Mr Ward said he would still think twice before renewing his season ticket.
Mr Ward said: "It really leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. Even with this latest cut, it's still a 50% rise in the cost of a ticket. People that I have spoken to have been really annoyed by this and I know a lot of people who are thinking of not renewing.
"It is being run like a business instead of a football club. They have really bought it into disrepute."
Derby County announced changes to the prices of season tickets last Tuesday. The club said this would mean a price freeze for a majority of fans if they renewed their tickets by April 14.
But the changes will have an impact on some senior and disabled season ticket holders and the Derby Telegraph was inundated with letters from fans who were angry at the price increase.
Mr Ward said he felt "betrayed" by the club he has supported for 50 years after his son's season ticket increased from £190 to £390.
Now a spokesman for Derby County has confirmed the latest price reduction.
He said: "Having taken on board feedback from Mr Ward and other disabled supporters within the North West Corner area, the decision has been made to downgrade that section from category C to a category D price.
"This applies to that particular area of the stadium only."
But, for Mr Ward, the drop in price was too little too late and he said he would be driving to Burton instead.
The 59-year-old said: "It is still just too much.
"Next season me and Nathan will be going to the odd home match and will be travelling over to see Burton and watching some league football.
"They thought they could increase the prices and nobody would complain and, if I hadn't, they wouldn't have changed.
"With these ticket prices, I reckon they will be going back to the old Baseball Ground days when we had 16,000 or so at games.
"The CEO Sam Rush offered to show me round the ground after I spoke to him last week.
"It should be me showing him round, he's only been here five minutes."
32 Comments
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by Southcliffe
Friday, February 15 2013, 6:33PM
“But Derby County is a Community based Football Club with an incredibly loyal fan base!
Frankly I can't believe the Club's PR 'own goal'. After all, they must surely know what the term means . . . . . . . . .”
by bogwashram
Friday, February 15 2013, 4:32PM
“I don't mean to be crass but bear in mind that the disabled seats are some of the best in the ground, and although you nearly always need at least 2 seats in that space, they were paying the same as I do for my season ticket and getting 2 tickets. When I have kids, the equivalent would have been getting half price. My cousin takes his autistic son to Grimsby Town games, and it is by far the highlight of his week, so there is no dilution in the entertainment value here for the fact you are disabled.
This is entertainment, plain and simple. You can buy a season ticket at the playhouse if you prefer that type of entertainment, and when the price is too much, don't pay it and get entertainment elsewhere.
Burton is the other option for entertainment and I can't blame him for going down there. I know Sheff Weds fans that prefer Chesterfield, Derby fans who go to Burton, etc. For those also saying that we are paying PL prices for championship football - £65 for a Man City away ticket to Arsenal. Yep, think about that for a minute. This is business, like it or not.
And the people questioning the disabled status - shame on you, that is far from the point here. Get a grip.”
by stivians11
Friday, February 15 2013, 11:58AM
“Well heard it all now! Its amazing how some people cannot spot mental disability at a glance by just seeing a photograph. Any disability is something that none of us choose to have. Unfortunately many people have not had that choice so for goodness sake show a little empathy and respect if thats possible. Mr Ward and his son are Rams supporters and I for one applaud their loyalty and their probably disappointing decision not to take the hand thats pathetically shown what Mr Rush thought would appease them.”
by ValeRam
Friday, February 15 2013, 11:05AM
“Unbelievable incompetence and arrogance by the club
My stand (east) will be like a desert next season
And it would be nice if they invested some money in a 'how to smile and treat people like customers' course for the dreary and gloomy residents of the ticket office
Watching the off the field club over the next six months is going to be like watching a car crash......
An object lesson in taking something good and completely screwing it up.”
by QUIT_MOANING
Friday, February 15 2013, 11:05AM
“You lt moan constatntly about Dery having no mney , until austerity hits your bleating pockets, hen the Club becomes bad in your slits for eyes......pfffff you dont deserve such an amazing Club.... clear off to he red bog”
by QUIT_MOANING
Friday, February 15 2013, 11:00AM
“So what gives these very wel dressed, car driving, home owning spogers the right to complain and have the brass neck to pose with a Ward Shirt inside that grund.... makes my blood boil... This guy looks so ill that he can never work again....haha dont make me laugh”
by ibelieveido
Friday, February 15 2013, 10:48AM
“Poor management ahahah.
Doom and gloom EVERY time you post.
Strange really...”
by WIKLOW
Thursday, February 14 2013, 9:13PM
“Ticket prices would not be a major issue if we were a club on the up. But the owners with an unforgiveable lack of ambition have signalled their intent and turned DCFC into a dormant club with poor management, so I would rather keep me dosh until something changes.”
by DerbyTom
Thursday, February 14 2013, 7:54PM
“I shall just vote with my feet like i have been saying all season, i want to see value for my
money a club who want to get to the primier where all the money is going.
Why pay primier prices for championship football.
Derby are been too greedy and now it has back fired.
I love the club but not the owners and will still support the club at heart.”
by DerbyResident
Thursday, February 14 2013, 7:35PM
“Football as a sport is pricing itself out of the market.
The Premiership was "bought" by United for many years. Then Chelsea, now City. Money talks - and buys trophies.
The lower leagues are going the same way. DCFC need to accept that they are never going to fight for promotion unless they get a big money backer.
Screwing the loyal supporters wont raise enough money to make a difference, indeed it could reduce gate receipts as people walk away.”