Trust – “Raise The Prices – Suffer The Consequences”
Foxes Trust Press Release … for immediate use
The Foxes Trust is strongly recommending to the club that no increases on ticket prices should be made next season even assuming the club stays in the Championship.
Trust Chairman, Ian Bason, explained “Twelve months ago the level of Season Ticket renewals were high despite a poor 2006/7 season, but we believe this was down to two main factors:
a) The belief that Milan Mandaric’s money would see our club mount a serious promotion challenge
b) The introduction of interest free direct debit payments over a number of months, which around 3,000 fans took advantage of.
We feel with no progress having been made over the last year on the pitch, the feel good factor that applied to Milan’s investment last summer will not apply this year.
We are also concerned that as indicated at our AGM, an administration fee will be applied to the new Flexible Payment Plan, we feel this would be the application of interest via another name.
There had been talks earlier this season about extending the timeframe to be offered to at least 9 months, but that has failed to materialise, which is also disappointing”
Trust Board member Alan Digby stated “There is no doubt that regardless of the government published inflation figures, people are feeling the pinch in terms of increased food, energy and fuel costs and more fans will therefore be questioning whether a Season Ticket can qualify as being an essential expenditure or whether to pick and choose games as they can afford”……
Alan Digby added “There have been few details so far released about what the prices will be, but we are pleased that the club has announced the launch of a Family Season Ticket which is an idea we first put forward 3 years ago and again proposed it last season after Milan Mandaric took over the club.”
Here is a reminder of Trust members views on Season Tickets compiled in March 2007 http://foxestrust.co.uk/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=274&Itemid=2
Chairman Ian Bason said “Having spoken to many fans, they fear they will be asked to fork out more cash this summer as a direct result of the costly decisions made during this season, which has seen a constant revolving door of players and staff. The fans have suffered the consequences in terms of football watched, but don’t feel they should suffer further by being asked to pay directly for those mistakes”
In summary Ian Bason warned “For all of the above factors, we feel there will be a significant reduction in the level of Season Ticket renewals if the club attempts any price increase at all”
Additional notes for editors (feel free to print any of the content below, other than contact details)
The Foxes Trust was formed in 2002 and came to prominence when it helped save Leicester City Football Club when it was in administration. Having become one of the top 15 shareholders of Leicester City it owned in excess of £150,000 shares, until selling it’s shares to Milan Mandaric at the end of 2007.
It is entirely separate from the management of Leicester City and any other supporters’ organisations. It exists to ensure that the problems which resulted in administration in 2002 do not recur, and to represent the City supporter and supporter interests at the highest levels within the management of the club.