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Stanley slash prices

28/ 3/2008

ACCRINGTON Stanley have slashed their season ticket prices at the FES as they look to boost the crowds for next season.

The Reds were disappointed with their season ticket sales for the last campaign with, at the end of August, just 118 adult season tickets sold and 117 concessions for their second League Two battle.

But they are hoping a bumper deal will encourage more fans to snap up the tickets and boost the revenue coming into the club so they can try and compete at the top end of League Two next season.

Fans buying before the end of April can save up to £138 on general admission price - which will stay the same as last season with a stand ticket for a walk-on adult per game costing £15.

With the new deal, it means a match will work out around £9 for an adult, £5 for concessions plus there are also deals for schoolchildren, students and Under 12s.

"We had to do something," said chairman Eric Whalley, with home crowds the lowest in the league, at around the 1,300 mark this season.

"We have to try and get people in and we are always open to new ideas.

"Bradford City cut their prices - even though they are a bigger city than we are a town - and they have added 5,000 on their gate.

"We know we can’t get numbers like that but it will be interesting to see what happens.

"We have to hope the people of Accrington respond. We are competing with Blackburn and Burnley but if people don’t want to watch League football for £9 a game then East Lancashire isn’t the hotbed of football I thought it was."

Chief Executive Rob Heys said: "Much was made of our disappointing season ticket sales ahead of last season, although they did pick up a little before the first game was played.

"This season we have made sure that this is the best value season ticket that we have ever issued, both in terms of price reduction and added extras.

"Last season an adult season ticket was more than £300 and we have cut it by £100 for early buyers.

"We are also looking to build on the Football League’s presentation of the Family Excellence Award to the club, offering a great day out for families in a safe environment at an affordable price.

"We now hope that this gesture will be rewarded and that people will get behind us in our third Football League season.

"We’ve all learnt a lot from the last two years and I am sure that we have an exciting campaign ahead of us."

The Reds are hoping to attract more youngsters to the club with their junior membership scheme which will now be known as "Junior Eagles". That is £20 for the year including admission, birthday mentions and discounts.

And season ticket holders will also get a membership pack as well as priority tickets and discount vouchers.

For more information, visit the Accrington Stanley club website, call in at the Stanley store or call 01254 356954.

Meanwhile, The Football Association were still deciding whether to charge manager John Coleman after he was sent to the stands in two games in succession.

They admitted it was "unusual" for a boss to be dismissed in successive games and were studying both incidents.

The Regulations Department of the FA said they had the report from the referee On the 4-2 defeat at Chesterfield on Saturday - where the Reds’ boss was dismissed for comments made to the assistant referee over Stanley’s six bookings.

The club already face a fine for the six bookings - the second time this has happened this season.

But the FA were also looking at the report from the MK Dons loss on Monday - where Coleman and assistant boss Jimmy Bell was sent from the dug-outs for going onto the pitch after they felt Leam Richardson was booked harshly. Once a charge is made, both can then appeal.

SEASON TICKET PRICES 2008	Pre 01/05	Standard
Adults	£207	£230
Concessions	£115	£138
12-16 & Student	£60	£60
Junior Eagle (U12)	£20	£20