League Rule Against QPR: Derby Comment...QPR Remain Silent

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Yesterday, as announced by Derby County, and reported in the Derby Press...Thus far, still no official comment or announcement by Queens Park Rangers about the League ruling (and thus far not even QPR comments in the media). No word yet what it means for QPR fans; and what it means for future games - and how the club will make up for the possible absence of this additional revenue. The club has yet to commen - in fact, since it's initial announcement about the new prices "MatchDay Ticket Prices", there's been no mention on the Official Site about the fan uproar it provoken - or even about the Derby League Protest. Meanwhile, it's been a major focus of discussion on QPR messageboards. Assuming the prices increases are rescinded for home fans and for future games, (and for now that's just an assumption, the intended fan protest, will presumably be cancelled.)
- Update: According to several messageboard posters, as of now, the League ruling has not impacted upon the QPR box office, which is continuing to cite the new, increased prices for the Derby County game. [Club Contact Details]


BBC - Derby welcome ticket rise ruling
Derby County have welcomed a Football League ruling which prevents increased prices for this Saturday's game against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
The club turned down tickets priced £40 for adults and £30 for concessions as it was a £10 increase on agreed rates.
John Vicars, vice-president of operations, said the club was pleased with the Football League's decision.
"We will now be working closely with QPR to sort out the swift distribution of tickets to our supporters."
QPR said the increase in ticket prices at Loftus Road was to help maintain budgets previously set to provide a better standard of entertainment for home and away fans.
The Queens Park Rangers supporters trust, QPR 1st, have said the decision "is unjustified and will have a serious effect on the relationship between the club and its supporters." BBC



Derby Evening Telegraph - Derby County fans hail League ruling in ticket price row with QPR

- DERBY County fans have welcomed the Football League's ruling in the ticket-price row with Queen's Park Rangers as a victory for common sense.
QPR wanted to charge Rams fans £10 more than originally agreed to attend Saturday's Championship clash at Loftus Road.
- Ticket prices of £30 for adults and £20 for concessions had been set before the start of the season but the West London club upped this to £40 and £30.
Derby objected and the matter went to the Football League, who have backed the Rams and prevented Rangers increasing the prices.
- John Hemsworth, chairman of the Derby County Supporters' Clubs executive committee, said the League had made the right decsion.
- "It was an important ruling because it was not just Derby County versus QPR, it was a landmark ruling to stop other clubs trying to do a similar thing," he said.
"Derby have superb visiting support. Had the ruling gone against us, then each time a team like ourselves, Wolves or whoever are in town, there would always be the temptation for the home club to put the price up.
"I'm sure supporters are very pleased with the decision and I would like to thank Derby County and the directors, because they fought our corner right from the beginning."
- But Hemsworth said he was disappointed the Football League took so long to come to a decision.
- "They have been looking at it for over a week when, really, they only had to ratify their own rule," he said.
- "The major problem now is the logistics of getting tickets to fans. How quickly can QPR get the tickets out to Derby County? Hopefully they will send them by courier and they will be available from today.
- "A lot of damage has already been done by the delay and it could be too late for some supporters to organise coaches, although I'm sure they will make their way to the game under their own steam.
- "I'd have thought we would take a couple of thousand fans to the Loftus Road but the delay over tickets might hit that figure."
John Vicars, the Rams' vice-president of operations, said the club was pleased with the Football League's decision.
- He added: "We will now be working closely with QPR to sort out the swift distribution of tickets to our supporters and look forward to seeing plenty of Rams fans at Loftus Road this Saturday supporting the team."
- Derby are unable to confirm sales arrangements until they receive the tickets from QPR, who say they will also make tickets available for Derby fans to purchase on the day of the game at Loftus Road.
- The prices are as follows:
Upper tier – Adults £30; Juniors £20; Seniors £20; Young adults £20.
Lower tier – Adults £25; Juniors £15; Seniors £15; Young adults £15.
- Rangers have increased ticket prices for their own fans and defended the rise, saying it will help maintain budgets previously set to provide a better standard of entertainment for home and away fans.
- A restructuring of seat prices at Loftus Road means adult tickets range from £20 to £50, depending on the category of the match.
- The visit of Derby is rated a Category A match, with adult prices for home fans as follows: Platinum £50, Gold £40, Silver £30 and Bronze £20 (with concessions).
Rangers entertain Blackpool three days later in a Category C fixture and seats cost £35, £30, £25 and £20. Derby Evening Telegraph

See Also
- Clive Whittingham/LoftforWords- " rare victory for common sense, but will QPR back down?"

Earlier Fan Responses

- League Rule Against QPR: Derby Comment...QPR Remain Silent

- QPR Fan Groups United in QPR Protest - One-QPR Statement- Joint QPR Fan Groups Protest Supposedly Planned

- QPR's Price Increases: Compilation of QPR's Various Statements and Fan and Media Reactions

- "Continued Media Attention on QPR's Price Increases"