This was picked up in the post match thread but I was interested to know if I'm the only one apalled by Oxford's decision to essentially charge Charlton fans double what we charged their supporters last night.
This feels like another example
of ticket pricing in England being focused solely on maximising profit without concern for the games most important stakeholders, the fans. It would have been fair for Oxford to have used the pricing set by Charlton for the first match as a benchmark against which to set ticket pricing for the replay.
Am I alone in feeling sick to the back teeth of football clubs exploiting the passion of loyal supporters, particularly those that travel away ?
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I actually think they've shot themselves in the foot slightly, because it will undoubtedly put some people off.
I thought as well Oxford had to consult Charlton on the matter of FA Cup ticket prices as I read the other day that the Macclesfield CEO went crazy because they hadnt been advised before Sheffield Wednesday made their replay tickets available?
Oh well either way lets hope Oxford get less than half the expected attendance there then as it'll show it wouldnt have been worth it
seriously though .I was thinking about going next Tuesday as its not that far, new ground, chance of a cup upset (Charlton beating lower league opposition for once) but at £19 they can stick it.
yellowsforum.proboards.com/thread/16378/ticket-prices-charlton-replay
Advance On the Day
EAST STAND
Adult £17.00 £19.50
Student £14.00 £16.00
Over 65 £ 9.00 £10.00
Under 16 £ 9.00 £10.00
Under 7 FOC FOC
SOUTH LOWER
Adult £19.00 £21.50
Student £15.50 £17.50
Over 65 £11.50 £12.50
Under 16 £11.50 £12.50
Under 7 FOC FOC
FAMILY AREA
Adult £19.00 £21.50
Student £15.50 £17.50
Over 65 £11.50 £12.50
Under 16 £ 4.00 £ 6.00
Under 7 FOC FOC
SOUTH UPPER
Adult £20.50 £23.00
Student £16.00 £18.00
Over 65 £13.00 £14.50
Under 16 £13.00 £14.50
Under 7 FOC FOC
I think the price is slightly higher than it should be but it's not exploitation.
Once you have paid to get to Oxford and the other costs associated with travelling away, the difference between paying £19 a ticket and a fairer price of say £10 - £15 a ticket doesn't seem that significant.
I imagine the thinking was 'Charlton are a (relatively by our standards) big club, will bring a big away following regardless of price, so let's put the price up'. This is supported by the fact that they have given us the entire North stand, with a capacity of around 5,000!
In reality, they are failing to take account of the fact that (a) it's a cup game, and many Charlton fans don't care, (b) it's a Tuesday night and a pain to get to (particularly getting back into London by train if it goes to extra time), and (c) our away following just isn't that good. I really don't think they've done their research.
I've written to both Oxford United's commercial director Oxford Supporters Trusts chairman (who's actually a really good bloke) to register my disappointment at their decision to charge our fans double what we charged their fans.
I've also knocked together a quick statement from our own Trust here:
http://www.castrust.org/2014/01/trust-disappointed-with-oxford-19pound-replay-price/
Of course I don't expect Oxford to move on their pricing (although I did suggest they might want to think about it !) but I'll keep you up to date if I have a response from any of those that I've contacted.
Clubs are continually shooting themselves in the foot. And in this case, both feet.
Will the trust show consistency, and be complaining and writing to every club that charges Charlton fans £19 or more to attend a match?
M'boro are charging our fans more than Oxford are to watch the game. Further M'boro are, I believe, charging our fans more than we charged their fans for the reverse fixture. Has a complaint been made to M'boro?
Incidentally, isn't the net ticket revenue split for cup games, so CAFC get 42.5%.