Port Vale announce season ticket prices for next season

[robf]

Me too, however there in lies the problem.

 

Vale's entire marketing strategy is just to rely on the people who buy one "as per usual". Unfortunately with every passing season this number gets less and less.

 

We simply HAVE to find ways of enticing the next generation of Vale fans otherwise it will be a slow and painful death.

 

Absolutely agree.

 

While everyone who commits to a season ticket deserves praise, surely the bigger picture is to grow the fanbase not to get people to renew out of loyalty and because of their love of the club.

[stupers]

Me too, however there in lies the problem.

 

Vale's entire marketing strategy is just to rely on the people who buy one "as per usual". Unfortunately with every passing season this number gets less and less.

 

We simply HAVE to find ways of enticing the next generation of Vale fans otherwise it will be a slow and painful death.

 

I totally agree. The strategy V2001 finished up with was to rinse the existing fanbase of as much money as possible. It's found its way in to Smurf's thinking as well. I felt we needed a revolutionary change in the way we promoted and priced our tickets. If Smurf is banging in £800k a season (And this may be a controversial point) then I'd rather he'd have stuck it in to cover any potential losses from an aggressive pricing structure of admission, rather than spend it on wages for an oversized squad. It would reap the benefits in the long run I feel. But nobody at the club appears to be bothered about the long term. It's all short/medium term decision making which dismays me.

[onestepatatime]

Absolutely agree.

 

While everyone who commits to a season ticket deserves praise, surely the bigger picture is to grow the fanbase not to get people to renew out of loyalty and because of their love of the club.

 

Agreed.

 

I will get mine in May. I also will not flinch IF Norman brings out any plan to attract fans to Vale by any means that MAY reduce the value of me and others buying early. I am lucky enough to be able to afford to purchase mine early but welcome any plans/enticements to others to attend games cheaper to attract future die-hards like me and the 3,000 or so other Valiants.

 

Go on Norman show us your business nous now in attracting people back to Vale Park.

[beasty77]

Adult season tickets should be no more than £200..diehards will pay the full wack, but thats only 2k fans..poor from Vale.

[markh]

I posted a couple of weeks ago bemoaning the lack of business acumen in marketing. This comparison underpins a number of the points I raised then, advance of this. This is poor business management and marketing and before anyone starts to say I am "having a go" or just trying to find something to moan about I urge people to contrast and compare.

 

This is not about what happens on the pitch this is about business management and our CEO and Chairman should be all over this and working hard to be innovative in their offer and doing all they can to attract a new generation of supporters to Port Vale.

 

Colchester United are the nearest football league club to me but I never go there unless it is to see Port Vale. However on business I go to the Stadium often, and in my job I have approved funding for a number of business conferences and meetings there. It is an excellent community facility and one from which Port Vale have much to learn. Chairman and CEO better marketing and business management should be delivered now.

 

Totally agree with the meetings/conferences thing.... the driving range near my house is always booked out and there is no way they have facilities like Vale..

[valeparklife]

These are the type of constructive comments that Smurf and the marketing team need to take on board and implement.

 

That black and white ticket price table looks like it was knocked up at 16.55 on a Friday afternoon! Embarrassing!

[PV1973]

On the one hand I can see why they may be worried about dropping prices too much in case the levels of season ticket holders don't increase. But it must be worth just trying it for one season to see if it works. Can we afford to do that?

 

It might not sound a lot but for example just try a price drop of around £50 across the board for adults and take it below £300, say £299 on average.

 

Increase the age band for the family ticket offers so that it include the 9-17 year olds in the family offer not just 9-13. The jump in season ticket price from u9 to 9-17 is too big IMO instead of around £135 make it £99.

 

Drop the 18-21 category to £199. Kids nowadays are in education til they are 18 at least and a bit of price drop is more of an incentive for them.

 

Make u9s a tenner across the board.

 

Basically we need to be getting more younger fans in and making it more affordable for families too.

 

u9 £10

junior 9-17 £99

junior family 9-17 £60

18-21 £199

adults £299

 

Clearly I don't know the age splits in terms of percentages. But I would hope the club would do that with a database of current and ex-ticket holders, to try and tempt not only new fans but those that have drifted away too.

 

If they had that info on a database then they would be sending out price offers to all ex and current season ticket holders either by post or email.

[Santa]

I got an email from the club today about season tickets for next season. I know this because it said so in the subject line. The body of the email itself was empty.

 

Good effort though.

[smithie]

I got an email from the club today about season tickets for next season. I know this because it said so in the subject line. The body of the email itself was empty.

 

Good effort though.

 

I got a reminder by telegram.

[Aussie Rules]

I know several of you point to a price rise, but my ticket for 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 was and still is £265.

 

So, what am I missing?

[jjvale_03]

Spot the difference.

 

Where are the incentives?

 

 

 

 

Great comparison.

 

Employing 2/3 graduates from Staffs/Keele on 16k/year would achieve this type of result and would clearly have a huge impact on the image of the club, customer retention and satisfaction.

 

Instead we've spent 10 minutes on a spreadsheet. Same. Old. Vale.

[Jacko51]

These are the type of constructive comments that Smurf and the marketing team need to take on board and implement.

 

 

What marketing team would that be? We simply don't have one. If you look at the Who's Who on the official website we do not have a single member of staff who has an identifiable marketing role.

[geosname]

I know several of you point to a price rise, but my ticket for 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 was and still is £265.

 

So, what am I missing?

 

I think, just a guess really, that last years full price is this years early bird price which will go up.... but its just a guess Barry

[valeparklife]

What marketing team would that be? We simply don't have one. If you look at the Who's Who on the official website we do not have a single member of staff who has an identifiable marketing role.

 

Good spot. That is staggering for a professional football club to not have any specialist marketing staff

[Howjy04]

I think we should have a lovely brochure and pay £430 for a best stand season ticket.