Does the Club realy need to drop ST Prices Dramatically?

[W12_Ranger]

As much as I begrudge laying out £630 yesterday for a new ST it did get me thinking whether the club need to drop ST prices dramatically? I asked my old man and he said histrorically the club have always been pretty poor on ST sales. We've a loyal fan base who will always renew of around 6000 and this can fluctuate up to around 8000 on a good season 9000. The club have a database which they can statistically analyse they know how many are staying away, how many more ST's a good season or bad one brings in. We supporters highlight other clubs like Burnley or Norwich who are one team towns/citys or more typically Fulham. Below is a list of how Fulhams attendances have grown since 98, it was progressive an not instant and happend at time when wages on average throughout the division were around 50% less than what they are now. PL wages have double in 4 years that is the bottom line and whilst I don't have the CCC stats to hand I'm pretty certain they are comparative maybe on a slighty lesser ratio.

1997/98: 9,004
1998/99: 11,387
1999/00: 13,092
2000/01: 14,985
2001/02: 19,389
2002/03: 16,707 (at Loftus Road)
2003/04: 16,342 (at Loftus Road)
2004/05: 19,838
2005/06: 20,654
2006/07: 22,279
2007/08: 23,774


Whilst I am in favour of, I'm not sure dropping ST prices say 25% would be anymore beneficial than good season getting new ST holders through the gates at LR leaving the club potentially further out of pocket. The ground will steadily fill under Warnock and I'm pretty certain the club know what they need to do next season for us to fill the ground regardless of ticket prices. A poster on another thread said that we need to build a bigger ground to survive in the PL but the truth is average gates 15000 would be comparative to that of some teams gate reciepts of approx 25000. I just think whilst we do pay over the odds maybe the Board in time will take a little credit for increased turnover. Our fanbase is loyal and whilst I except that some have been priced out a little, the club has made good efforts to build some bridges with reductions and offers, I think maybe its time to accept the situation the way it is and just start filling LR putting principals aside especially if you are a stayaway fan.

End of the day we are a small club and will be punching well above our weight in the PL when we reach it and I just think its important to put things into perspective. I'll grab my tin hat now......

[ollyhoops]

It's hard,

People don't mind paying a bit more of there is a good product.... its when they pay more and the product isn't worth it then yes you can have problems.

I guess realistically £630 for a season ticket it today' s money is probably about right give and take the cost of running business's these days.

[rangersroar]

No matter how you slice it, you can still watch Fulham in the Prem., for less than QPR in the championship.

[ollyhoops]

No matter how you slice it, you can still watch Fulham in the Prem., for less than QPR in the championship.

Yes but we don't have the income as Fulham have in the Premiership, they can afford to lower their ticket prices to balance the TV money... and they are in europe which is a huge factor.

I think maybe what the club can do is to offer season tickets incentives... such as £30 worth of shop vouchers or free QPR club shop gifts... another good incentive would be something like tokens for half time refreshments... they could do it that way and the benefit of that is QPR are not devaluing their product.

[W12_Ranger]

No matter how you slice it, you can still watch Fulham in the Prem., for less than QPR in the championship.

Yes but this is the problem with QPR fans we don't look at why and how Fulham are able to this. In actual fact its quite an ignorant response and because of that the Board are never going to win no matter what they do.


We want a £10 million transfer budget, a youth academy, PL football etc etc but want it all on the cheap to watch as supporters. Bottom line is we are 5 years + too late and we want everything yesterday.

Some of us are convince if the Board drop ST's to Fulhams prices 5000 fans will come crawling out the woodwork when average attendances since the 70's suggest that this will not be the case.

I just think too many fans think about the romanticism and fantasy of what could be instead of dealing in the reality.

[andover66]

Cheaper prices= bigger crowds=more merchandise sold=more money for the club. For me i have been a season ticket holder on and off for about 20 years(more off than on) it's all down to how much spare cash i have, but it's way too expensive for me. I lost my job last year and had our first child. Good luck to all those who will renew, i will be picking and choosing.

[rangersroar]

Yes but we don't have the income as Fulham have in the Premiership, they can afford to lower their ticket prices to balance the TV money... and they are in europe which is a huge factor.

I think maybe what the club can do is to offer season tickets incentives... such as £30 worth of shop vouchers or free QPR club shop gifts... another good incentive would be something like tokens for half time refreshments... they could do it that way and the benefit of that is QPR are not devaluing their product.

So, what were Fulhams season ticket prices when they were in the lower leagues,? I can bet they were not at the level we are being asked to pay.

[rangersroar]

Yes but we don't have the income as Fulham have in the Premiership, they can afford to lower their ticket prices to balance the TV money... and they are in europe which is a huge factor.

I think maybe what the club can do is to offer season tickets incentives... such as £30 worth of shop vouchers or free QPR club shop gifts... another good incentive would be something like tokens for half time refreshments... they could do it that way and the benefit of that is QPR are not devaluing their product.

Instead of offering shop vouchers, just reduce the season ticket price. It amounts to the same thing. Not everyone wants to buy the merchandise.

[rangersroar]

Cheaper prices= bigger crowds=more merchandise sold=more money for the club. For me i have been a season ticket holder on and off for about 20 years(more off than on) it's all down to how much spare cash i have, but it's way too expensive for me. I lost my job last year and had our first child. Good luck to all those who will renew, i will be picking and choosing.

Exactly my friend, the people at the top don't live in our world when we have to save for the privilege of watching our team play. Clubs have always been subsidised by the owners, I wonder how much Mr. Harrods has spent on Fulham,? Once again, it is success that is important in football and not profit.

[shayqprman]

i know its wigan and they have a bigger ground and less fans but you can buy four season tickets there 2 Adults and 2 under 18 for £499. even with london prices etc i cant see how watching QPR paying £600 just for 1 adult season ticket can be value for money anymore. I love QPR and have had a season ticket few a good few years but even though i believe there are good times ahead i cant justify paying that price again next season

[rangersroar]

Yes but this is the problem with QPR fans we don't look at why and how Fulham are able to this. In actual fact its quite an ignorant response and because of that the Board are never going to win no matter what they do.


We want a £10 million transfer budget, a youth academy, PL football etc etc but want it all on the cheap to watch as supporters. Bottom line is we are 5 years + too late and we want everything yesterday.

Some of us are convince if the Board drop ST's to Fulhams prices 5000 fans will come crawling out the woodwork when average attendances since the 70's suggest that this will not be the case.

I just think too many fans think about the romanticism and fantasy of what could be instead of dealing in the reality.

Don't sit behind your computer and call me ignorant. We were getting 16,000 fans in league 1 a fews years back, and why was that ? Because people could afford to come. Once again, the owners have always funded the majority of the clubs outlay.

[qblockpete]

end of the day it is too expensive, but I guess if we get good players in the summer than it will be worth it. Problem is we've paid x amount more over the last few years and seen pretty much the same level of performances pre-takeover.

The current financial climate means that most have to budget, that means QPR might need to take a back seat. The problem is football in general is too expensive and the bubble will burst within the next 2 years. Our club are lucky we have such rich backers

[qblockpete]

rangersroar, unfortunately supporters like w12ranger don't have to worry where the next penny is coming from.

[terry ball]

rangersroar, unfortunately supporters like w12ranger don't have to worry where the next penny is coming from.

A bit bitchy... Guess he's just looking at the bigger picture.

Still, some fans never had to worry about paying for their tickets at all

[W6hoops]

If Fulham were to get Relegated, They Would Lose 10,000 on their gates easy. A lot of Glory Hunters. Where Our gates has near on Increased or stayed at a level for years. (Increased in league 1)