Season Ticket Price Increases Evoke Messageboard Uproar

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Yesterday QPR announced a very sizable increase in the prices for the 2008-2009 season tickets.

To add a certain insult to injury in the view of at least some fans, was the statement issued on the Official site just a few hours after posting the new prices:

QPR OFFICIAL SITE, May 15: - RECORD SALES
Season Tickets for the forthcoming 2008/09 campaign went on sale this morning - and already the Queens Park Rangers Box Office is reporting unprecedented demand as Rangers fans embrace the new era in W12. With Iain Dowie installed at the helm and no fewer than three new faces already added to the R's First Team squad ahead of next season, the feel-good factor has gripped the R's faithful, to the delight of Deputy Managing Director, Ali Russell.
"We're ecstatic with the response," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"We are very mindful that prices have gone up in certain areas of the ground, but the reaction from the supporters has been exceptional.
"We strongly believe that the new pricing structure represents excellent value for money and is in line with most Clubs at this level." QPR [Also yesterday's QPR Report]

There has been a very "strong" response on the various QPR message boards, which goes a lot further than the normal might-be-expected grumbling that might come from any increase. Although there are also board posters who while obviously not delighted to be paying more, don't feel the increases are beyond the pale given the club's new aspirations. (As was noted yesterday on QPR Report "The various QPR messageboards are filled with heated messages about QPR's just-announced 2008-2009 season ticket prices.")

How representative the posts are - and what impact, if any, fan unappiness will actually have on season ticket sales remains to be seen. As Chairman Briatore said in a just-published interview/profile, "The first thing to remember is that without us, there was no QPR. It’s as simple as that...I don’t want everybody telling me what I need to be doing. People believe the club is owned by the fans but it’s only a few that put their money down. For the rest of the people, it’s easy to criticise [when] they maybe spend £20.” - Marketplace)

(Messageboard responses can be viewed on QPRDOT.org --QPRNet --- QPR.Org ClubFanzineQPR/LoftforWords --- LSA -- IndependentRsForum -- WearetheRangersBoys -- QPR Fans

The QPR Trust, QPR1st issued a statement on the price increases: QPR1st - Season Ticket Prices Statement
May 16, 2008
QPR 1st Supporters Trust is disappointed in the substantial rises in season ticket prices for next season. We note that some fans will be paying more than 50 per cent more for seats next season. While we note that support is on the increase, we feel that there is little doubt that some fans will be priced out of seats that they have held for many years. We also remind the club of the negative effect on season ticket sales and goodwill that occurred when tickets prices rose in 2005-6.
The failure to offer discounts for early bird renewals for which there is a long standing precedent, shows a lack of respect for loyal fans who have followed the club through thick and thin.
We feel that the club's assertion of record sales on the basis of a morning's trading seems premature and is at odds with the feedback the trust has been receiving.
The trust looks forward to Deputy Managing Director's Ali Russell appearance at the Trust AGM on Tuesday 27th May so that fans can discuss the new pricing structure and other matters with him.
QPR1st

Some fans are also contacting the club to express their views over the season tickets. Contact Details