Vital QPR regular, Sandydl, runs the rule over the latest price hike and indicates that the future whilst being bright, will cost you.
I never really thought I had a right to complain, or even voice my opinions, because I chose to renew in the most expensive section of the ground – the Platinum area. Well, why not? I`ve sat there for the past 15 years, or so (I`ve lost count) and, after all, this is supposedly the “best” area in the stadium.
Mind you, saying that, there is a pillar that blocks my view of the corner flag by the School End and I can`t see the line that runs from the School End down to the Loft – but the rest of the pitch is pretty well alright! And I can clearly see the two goals, so that`s ok!!
So, when the news that my old season ticket was going to be increased by, well lots more than 10%, I shut up, found the money and stumped up for one adult (at £699) for me, and one student (at £449) for my daughter. I should support my club in its bid to improve itself, shouldn`t I?
The fact that kids were no longer going to be allowed into that area on the cheap had occurred to me. But I was quite shocked that, to continue taking my 10-year old nephew (who has already fallen in love with Rangers as well as with coming to regular games with his very own seat), it would cost me another £449.
It was heart-breaking when I went round to my sister`s house to tell young Thomas that I was very sorry and that it really wasn`t my fault, but I couldn`t afford to buy him that season ticket I`d promised him for this season. After all, I reassured him as his bottom lip quivered and he manfully, tried to hold back the tears, his cousin was about to go to University so he could always use her ticket when it was available. And I did reassure him that he would still be a fan because I joined him up to be a Junior member. (Nearly two months later and his welcome pack still hasn`t materialised – I`ve lost count how many times he`s asked me where it is, all eager and happy, and I have to tell him it still hasn`t arrived. But that`s a different story!)
So, why am I writing this now, you may ask? Well, earlier this week, the club announced further price rises as you all know. At first I thought that this wouldn`t affect me. After all, my price has been locked in as I have a season ticket – or has it?
What will happen if, in the 3rd round of the FA Cup in January, we draw Manchester United at home? The club will want to charge me £50.00 now, as my season ticket of course doesn`t include Cup games. Ok, yes, I would pay £50.00 to see us play United down at Loftus Road. But what if we draw, say, Derby at home? Based on the current announcement, the club will still want to charge me £50.00 for the dubious pleasure. Why would I want to spend yet another £50.00 to watch Derby, for example? No disrespect to Derby but I am sure you can see my point?! (Up until this week, I would have only had to have paid £35.00 for my seat!) And believe me, I`ve read everything I can about this latest price hike – and nowhere does it say that the club will not be charging us season-ticket holders these inflated prices for the Cup games. I bet you didn`t think about that, did you?
And there`s another thing! If my student daughter is away, I can still use her ticket. But if, say, I want to bring my husband, or another adult, to the game I must first upgrade her student ticket to a full adult ticket. That did involve paying the difference of £10.00 on a match day (£25.00 to £35.00 for a match-day student ticket to adult ticket). Now, I will have to pay a maximum of a further £25.00 to bring an adult in on her ticket (for the so-called “category A” matches).
This is quite ridiculous and, in my honest opinion, unreasonable. The club have said nothing about these points – but I am ready to place a bet that this is precisely what is going to happen. And, if we were to beat Aston Villa next week and were drawn at home in the next round of the Carling Cup, we`ll find out even sooner just how right I am!!
This is not meant as doom-mongering. I am not going to suggest waving placards or even boycotting home games. For heaven`s sake, I`ve paid enough for my season ticket – I don`t want to miss any games!! I`m not going to send Ali Russell an email – after all, he doesn`t seem to read any of our comments and complaints! I`m not going to mouth-off about the Board and question their motives. After all, I would far rather be watching the likes of Ledesma and Parejo than Curtis, Barker or Rehman. And I like the look of the table at the moment – 4th after the immense away game at Norwich is so much better than bottom (as we were this time last year, remember?!)
However, I am very worried. If my seat is going to cost me £50.00 now for a match day, what will it cost me next season? I am being priced out of my seat! Yes, I can buy another seat somewhere else in the ground, more in keeping with the size of my wallet. But why should I have to? I want to stick around for the ride – I also want to sit in the seat I`ve had for all this time. Why can`t I have both, without being asked to pay astronomical and unrealistic prices? And sorry, Ali, but these prices are unrealistic.
Many thanks to Sandydl – If you want your story featured contact qpr@vitalfootball.co.uk
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