Early bird West Bromwich Albion fans enjoy ticket freeze
Mar 11 2009 by Robert Tanner, Birmingham Post
West Bromwich Albion have announced they have frozen season ticket prices for early bird buyers to reward the club’s loyal fans for their unwavering support this season.
The freeze, which will mean that season tickets can be purchased for £299 for next season, regardless of whether the club retain their Premier League status, is an attempt to match this season’s record sales of over 21,000 and will bring prices to a similar level to that of ten years ago.
The club have cut their early bird season ticket prices by a third over the past two years and will freeze this season’s prices to ease the burden on supporters who have been hit by the credit crunch.
Adult prices start from £299 and the club has extended the £49 junior season ticket for under-16s. The tickets can only be purchased with an adult season ticket and following the huge success of the scheme last year, the cap for the offer has been increased by 1,000 to 2,500. The stand-alone junior season tickets remain at £99.
The £49 offer, previously available in the Birmingham Road End and Smethwick End, has also been extended to the East Stand.
The club have 21,700 season ticket holders this season, which is the club limit, and new applicants will be asked to place a £50 deposit, making them eligible for the early-bird prices, and their names will be added to a first come, first served waiting list.
The deadline for early bird renewals is Thursday, April 30 and new applications will be processed from Monday, May 11. New applicants can also now apply in person or by telephone.
Albion finance director, Mark Jenkins said: “We have been at the forefront of reducing season ticket prices for several years as we have been mindful of the economic climate in our locality. It has particularly bitten around here.
“This is further reflected in our decision to freeze early bird prices for 2009/10 – whichever division we are in.”
Season ticket holders can now renew for 2009/10 in person at the East Stand box office, by calling 0871 271 9780 or via Albion Online Ticketing at www.wba.co.uk
Meanwhile, Albion defender Jonas Olsson has promised the squad will show a united front during the season-defining final push for Premiership safety.
The Swedish centre-back, who completed 45 minutes in Tuesday night’s reserve team clash with Stoke City after six weeks out through injury, said everyone was pulling in the same direction.
“Throughout the season, we’ve been a strong unit,” Olsson said. “The atmosphere in the dressing room is still great and we really feel like one unit. We’re all working towards the same goal.”
