Down At The Vic: Are Pools Too Expensive?

After Pools raised prices for the new season Down At The Vic asks if prices are now too high

After Hartlepool United released the Season Ticket details for the forthcoming season Down At The Vic asks whether football is becoming too expensive for the ordinary fan.

Firstly lets compare with other clubs in the division, we’ll start with our fellow promoted sides. Swindon have an early bird option which allows fans to renew for just £269 for the town end and just £339 for the main stand. Full prices are £312/£399, these are all for seats. Walsall prices range from just £260 to £340, cheaper than anywhere in our ground.

Top 8 side Carlisle have announced theirs at £280 and £360, these prices rise £30 after 29 June. Northampton Town is more expensive than Pools at £410 but they do have tickets from £350.

Cheltenham fans wanting to stand will pay just £195 if the buy their ticket before the end of the month and only £265 after. Seats cost between £335-£350 and before the deadline cost up to £45 less.

Cheltenham are a similar size club to us yet charge far less for their season tickets.

Seats at Crewe cost just £285 anywhere in the ground. Leyton Orient however cost £320 and £345 with no deals available. Port Vale have a system where between now and May 31 the tickets cost £323, £361 during June and £399 afterwards. Relegated Leeds do have renewal offers but their prices range from £370 to a whopping £555 otherwise.

I think looking at other clubs prices that Pools are too dear in comparison, it could be argued that we are a small club but Cheltenham are of a similar size yet they are far cheaper.

If no early bird discount is announced then we will be up the top end of the table in season ticket prices and will have to match that with performances on the pitch. Other teams will most likely have proper seats rather than the slab of plastic millhouse sitters must suffer too.

People that argue that Wigan have tickets for £250 but they are heavily subsidised by TV money so can’t really be compared.

In summary Pools have raised prices to bring ours in line with other teams but we have surpassed even their dearest seats with our terraces, this is unfair on loyal fans who should be definitely given renewal or early bird discounts.

It will be interesting to see if we announce anything in the coming days.

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