Whilst Derby County fans have been treated to some more attractive stylish football this season, the crowds still remain disappointing.
On Saturday 22nd September, little more than 25,000 fans attended the game against top six side Brentford., Why?
Last season the reason given by many is that Gary Rowett’s side played dull negative football that wasn’t pleasing to the connoisseur of the game, but Frank Lampard’s style has been anything but dull! So why aren’t the fans turning up?
Usually when riding high in the division you are looking at around the 30,000 mark, we have now dropped to 23,000 against Blackburn.
Last season was the first in many that we even failed to sell out the East Midlands Derby against our local rivals Nottingham Forest. Why?
We have sold around 21,000 season tickets so when you take them into account and travelling support it’s plain to see that the pay as you go customers are staying away in great numbers.
Now it’s fair to say that wages in real terms are no greater than 10 years ago, but is it just that? Or is it ticket prices?
Historically Derby have had better attendances than Nottingham Forest more often than not, yet our rivals are currently averaging 2,000 more fans a game than us.
We both have around 21,000 season ticket holders. Ours slightly down and theirs up to record levels! Their owner slashing prices and getting bums on seats.
Let’s have a look at pricing - these are for comparable seats at Derby and Forest both for a fixture against Norwich City.
Derby Nottingham Forest
Adults £29.00. Adults £25.00
Seniors £21.00. Seniors £18.00
13-17’s £16.50. 18-23 £12.00
2-12’s £9.50. 12-17 £10.00
2-12 £5.00
What is evident is the fact that our rivals have a much fairer pricing plan in place and they are making the match day experience more affordable for families. A 17 year old at Forest paying just 50p more than a 2 year old at Derby!! I find that incredible! A 13 year old at Derby paying £4.50 more than a 23 year old at Forest! I have to give our rivals due credit here! They are giving their club back to the fans!
There’s more money within football now than there ever has been! Millions is paid by television companies and yet ticket prices are still increasing! Surely its morally wrong to keep ripping off the fan!
As for Derby County, it’s time to take a lesson from our rivals and have a fairer pricing policy for match day tickets. Also, the above are for advance sales. To buy the day increases the cost by around £3.00 a ticket! Why? Some people do not know until last minute as to whether they can get to a game. Why punish those people?
There’s simply no justification for the continual ripping off of fans! I appreciate that clubs have to comply with Financial Fair Play Regulations, but enough is enough! Championship Football tickets should be £20.00 Maximum! TWENTY IS PLENTY!What is noticeable that apart from cheaper tickets, Nottingham Forest offer more age categories and are making the game more affordable to thousands.
