Thursday 26 February 2015

Watch Manchester United U-21's Free at Old Trafford

Entry to Manchester United Under-21 games has generally been free this season at the excellent Leigh Sports Village facility and supporters will shortly get the chance to watch the next generation of stars in action at Old Trafford.

The Premier League Under-21 clash with Tottenham on Tuesday 10th March, 7pm, will be played at the stadium with free admission for all fans and no need to register beforehand.

'Operation 500' at Frome Town on Saturday March 7th

In a bid to get 500 people through the gate, create a positive atmosphere for a crucial game and improve their links to the local community, Frome Town FC have launched 'Operation 500' for the home fixture with Hungerford Town on Saturday 7th March.

Currently battling against relegation from the Southern League Premier Division, Frome's biggest gate of the season to date was on Boxing Day when the visit of Poole Town attracted 302 spectators.

Club managing director Ian Pearce quoted in the Frome Times, said: “This is the first time the club is literally opening its doors to the community of Frome and beyond, so help us spread the word and achieve our goal of getting 500 through the turnstiles."

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Wednesday 25 February 2015

STH at Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, QPR, Palace or West Ham? Get Down to Dagenham!

Following on from the success of their annual Daggers Against Racism day last month, Dagenham & Redbridge continue the battle to attract new supporters to their East London home when they meet League Two's bottom club Hartlepool United on Tuesday 3rd March at 7:45pm.

The game has a host of offers attached to it. Daggers' season ticket holders can bring a guest for £5 and 10-16 year-olds can watch from the terraces for just £1.

Not only that but season ticket holders from the clubs named in the title of this article can purchase a ticket in the Traditional Builders Stand for just £10 (junior tickets can be purchased in advance for £5).

Full details at http://www.daggers.co.uk/news/article/tickets-dagenham-and-redbridge-hartlepool-2258956.aspx

Tuesday 24 February 2015

Affordable Live Football at Tranmere Rovers

Since taking over at Prenton Park in, former Football Association chief executive Mark Palios and his wife Nicola have been working hard to market Tranmere Rovers as an affordable venue for families to watch live football and just under 6,000 saw a crucial victory against high-flying Shrewsbury Town last weekend.

Their ongoing offer allows an adult to bring two under-17's to a home game for £20 with additional under-17's only £2 each.

It is available to the first 100 families buying their tickets for each game from the club shop or online and is in place for the upcoming fixtures against Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday 3rd March and Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday 7th March.

http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/affordable-live-football-190115-2272175.aspx

Affordable Football on Twitter

@affordablefooty is our Twitter address, where I try and tweet about all of the ticket offers that I come across whereas here on the blog page I try and go into a bit more detail about those deals that really catch the eye.

Tweets this week include free football at Aldershot on Wednesday night where Chelsea's youngsters are in action and a couple of cracking offers at Dagenham & Redbridge for next Tuesday (3rd March).


 
https://twitter.com/AffordableFooty

Sunday 22 February 2015

More for March

Lots going on since our initial article on March's Affordable Footy, including...

Tue 3rd: Barnsley season ticket holders can bring a friend for a fiver to the Oakwell game against Coventry City, one that is shaping up to be a relegation battle given both teams' recent form. MK Dons, meanwhile, are offering two tickets for £25 plus a free pie and pint as they host Chesterfield.

Wed 4th: Sheffield Wednesday have reduced ticket prices by up to 45% for both home and away supporters as they host Blackburn Rovers at Hillsborough. Adult prices are set at just £20, seniors and under 17's £10 and junior under 11's £5.

Sat 14th: It's the Owls again as their home match against Fulham is a Kids for a Quid fixture.

Fri 20th: Wolves have halved the price of all tickets for the visit of Derby in the Championship after the Molineux match was chosen for live television coverage. That means adult tickets from £11.50 while an Under-12 in the Family Area can attend for £2.50

Sat 21st: Bristol Academy Ladies play the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final against FFC Frankfurt at Ashton Gate (kick-off 2pm) with tickets priced at £10 for adults, £5 and £1.

Sun 22nd: It is the turn of Glasgow City Ladies to play their Champions League first-leg tie as Paris St Germain come to the Excelsior Stadium for a 4:05pm kick-off. Tickets are £10, £5 for Under-16's.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.


Friday 20 February 2015

Bradford City Set Maximum £15 FA Cup Ticket Price

Featured in these pages over the summer for the continuation of their pioneering scheme on Season Tickets, few clubs deserve the additional income that cup success brings more than Bradford City FC.

And the Bantams are in the news again for positive reasons with the announcement of ticket prices for their FA Cup quarter-final against Reading on Sunday 7th March at 12:45pm.


After their recent win over Sunderland at the Coral Windows Stadium, the club say they 'hope to try and generate the same interest and demand that created a very special atmosphere and as a ‘sell out’ one of our biggest crowds here since 1960.'

That means adult tickets on sale for just £15 with over-60's and students £10 and juniors (under-16) at £5. Full details available on the official club website. Well done to Reading too for agreeing to these prices.


http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/article/reading-f.a-cup-ticket-details-confirmed-2282658.aspx

Thursday 19 February 2015

The 2015 FA Trophy Final

One of the showpiece events of the Non-League calendar, the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium is usually a chance for fans of the two finalists to experience a day out at the national stadium.

That won't change in 2015 but the Football Association have teamed up with the organisers of the highly successful Non-League Day event to make this year's Trophy final, which takes place on Sunday 29th March, during the international break and therefore with no competition from Premier League and Championship fixtures, a celebration of the game that supporters of all clubs can enjoy.

One
of the most enjoyable aspects of watching non-league football is that, in the vast majority of cases, fans of both sides can mingle together and watch the action from both ends of the pitch. That will hopefully be seen at Wembley, perhaps in the manner of the Rugby League Challenge Cup final.


Lots of competitions are taking place between now and the day of the game which will allow fans to win tickets while early bird tickets are available until 4th March, priced at £20 for adults, £10 for concessions and £7.50 for under-16's. Further discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

http://www.nonleagueday.co.uk/news.html

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Wednesday 18 February 2015

Affordable Football In March

A first look at what is coming up next month...

Tuesday 3rd: Port Vale have a combined offer covering the midweek matches with Oldham Athletic and Crawley Town (17th) with adult tickets available for £30 (saving £14). Seniors and young adults (18-21) combined tickets cost £20, saving £14 and juniors (9-17) are £10, saving £10.

Saturday 7th: Cardiff City season ticket holders can bring two guests to the game against Charlton Athletic for £10 each (£5 concessions).

Tuesday 10th: Coventry City's Valentine's Day offer for the game against Bradford City is still valid for the rescheduled League One fixture. Tickets are 'buy one, get one free' while season ticket holders can also claim a free ticket for a friend.

Tuesday 17th: Scunthorpe United season ticket holders can bring a friend to the Bradford City game for £5, the last of four recent offers at Glanford Park.

Wednesday 18th: The new Women's Super League season kicks-off in WSL2 with WSL1 starting a week later. Individual match prices rarely rise above £6 while all of the clubs offer good value season tickets which usually take in all league, FA Cup and Continental Cup home fixtures.

Saturday 21st: Scarborough Athletic's re-arranged game against Bamber Bridge (the original fixture was abandoned after a serious injury to one of the players) has been designated as a 'Pay What You Can' match. As they continue their quest to return to their home, Scarborough currently play their fixtures at the Queensgate home of Bridlington Town.

http://www.scarboroughathletic.com/news/2015-01-16/pay-what-you-want-bamber-bridge

Sunday 29th: The FA Trophy final takes place at Wembley and the FA are running a special promotion to ensure a healthy crowd at the national stadium. Early bird tickets are available until 4th March and are priced at £20 for adults, £10 for OAPS and students and £7.50 for Under-16's with reductions for groups of 15 or more.

Sunday 15 February 2015

Update: Lincoln City FC

Having been hit hard by the news that the Co-operative Bank want to 'end their relationship' with the club, Lincoln City FC supporters and officials are working together to raise the £380,000 needed by the Imps without the need to sell property assets.

As part of that, a 'Name Your Price' scheme was in operation for the visit of Chester FC in the Conference on Saturday afternoon by which supporters could pay what they thought a ticket was worth for the game, subject to a £1 minimum.

I think it is in scenarios like this that 'Pay What You Want', or versions of it, work best as they can achieve a double whammy of actually increasing gate revenues from a normal game and also create positive publicity.

And that seems to have been the case at Sincil Bank where a crowd of 4,568 watched the game against a season's average of around 2,500.

Also on Saturday, 4,614 watched Mansfield Town's home clash with Northampton where £7 was the maximum adult price for a ticket. This compares to 2,436 for the Stevenage game a week previously and included 1,210 away supporters with the offer also extended to Cobblers fans.



Saturday 14 February 2015

The £5.136bn Question on Affordable Football

Richard Scudamore's announcement of the new Premier League television deal this week was carried live on many national television and radio news channels, a sign of what a big story it was going to be.

Hours of phone-in time and column inches have been filled since with debate about the sums of money involved, how much will filter down to the grassroots of the game and whether the £5.136bn figure is 'obscene'.

In terms of ticket prices, supporters' groups have been quick to call for reductions in the cost of watching Premier League matches.

The aim of this blog is to highlight those occasions when good value is available at any level of the game and the top-flight has not featured too much in the 18 months or so that I have been writing it, aside from Stoke City's season-ticket price freeze and some of the work done on reciprocal price deals for away supporters, especially by Newcastle United.

Overall, however, I still feel that it remains for clubs themselves to set prices and determine whether or not they can use the increased riches available to ensure full-houses in their stadium.

Earlier this week I paid £22 to watch Coventry City's home game against Scunthorpe United at the Ricoh Arena. It's a personal opinion that that is too expensive (a crowd of 6,885 would seem to reflect that although there are other issues surrounding the Sky Blues at present) but it was a personal choice to pay it and the price retains a relativity to watching Premier League football.

But, if a certain percentage of tickets in the top-flight were capped, for instance at £20, then that would increase the competitive disadvantage that teams underneath the Premier League operate at when they are more reliant on gate receipts as part of their overall income.

Affordable Footy at St James' Park, Elland Road and Carrow Road This Week

Some good opportunities this week to watch competitive matches in big grounds, especially welcome if it is half-term where you are.

Newcastle United host Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup at St James' Park on Monday and admission for the 7:05pm kick-off is free. The two sides met at the same quarter-final stage of last season's competition and attracted a crowd of 2,506 through the gates.

Tuesday afternoon sees Leeds United host Sheffield Wednesday at Elland Road in an Under-21 fixture that kicks-off at 1pm. Admission is priced at £3 for adults and £1 for juniors.

Norwich City continue their policy of playing attractive Under-21 fixtures under the lights at Carrow Road and with free admission for all supporters. The Canaries host Manchester City on Wednesday at 7pm. Previous games against Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United have attracted a total of around 30,000 through the gates.

Supporters are advised to claim their free tickets in advance to avoid queues while an optional donation can be made to support the work of the club's academy.

Away from the main grounds there is also free football at Leigh Sports Village as Manchester United Under-21's take on Everton on Tuesday evening with a 7pm kick-off.

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.




Friday 13 February 2015

#PackThePark at Oldham Athletic Tomorrow

One offer that I hadn't seen when looking at Affordable Football for Valentine's Day comes at Oldham Athletic who are looking to get a big crowd into Boundary Park for tomorrow's League One clash with Colchester United.

All home tickets in the Rochdale Road Stand and ZenOffice Stand will be priced at just £5 for the game with refunds available to those who have already purchased in advance.

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/valentines-day-2260746.aspx

And Mansfield Town have extended their offer of £7 tickets for the game against Northampton until kick-off at 3pm for home fans with over 3,500 sold already.

Wednesday 11 February 2015

Update - Hitchin Town FC

Back in November we looked at the battle to save Hitchin Town's historic Top Field ground, boosted by a 'No Pay Day' for their home game against Poole Town on 6 December which attracted a crowd of 1,606, the majority of whom marched peacefully through the town beforehand to state their case.

Putting local rivalry aside, Biggleswade United (whose director of football, Sky Sports analyst Guillem Balague, lives in Hitchin and is part of the movement to save Top Field) hosted a special friendly against Hitchin on Tuesday night.

The 'Save Top Field Trophy' saw a healthy crowd through the gates of Second Meadow,  attracted by admission prices of £5 and £2.50, with all money raised passed to Hitchin Town to assist in their battle.

Hitchin Town FC secretary, Roy Izzard, offered grateful thanks to Chris Lewis the chairman of Biggleswade United FC and Guillem Balague. "This is a magnificent gesture and Hitchin Town are overwhelmed by such a show of solidarity by one of our neighbouring non league clubs.

"It shows how clubs at our level help one another in times of crisis and it is so gratifying to know we are not alone and indeed it makes me even more determined to win the battle to stay at Top Field."

http://www.hitchintownfc.co.uk/

http://www.biggleswadeunited.com/

Monday 9 February 2015

Affordable Football on Valentine's Day

Spend time with your loved ones this Valentine's Day!

Airdrie host Forfar Athletic in Scottish League One with a 5:30pm kick-off and the club are offering 'Pay What You Want' entry to all supporters. If you are going along and think the match was worth more than you paid at the beginning then buckets will be there at the final whistle for more donations!

Slightly different in name but very similar is Lincoln City's 'Name Your Price' offer as they entertain Chester FC. Subject to a minimum of £1, supporters can buy a ticket for what they think it is worth. Tickets must be purchased in advance for this fixture.

Scunthorpe United are at home to Swindon in League One and, this Thursday (12th), local newspaper the Scunthorpe Telegraph are issuing a voucher that entitles under-16's to free admission and adults/concessions to come to the game for £10.

In League Two, Mansfield Town need the points against Northampton in the third of three fixtures that the Stags identified earlier in the season for reduced prices. Adult tickets are available for just £7.

Valentine's Day is also Ladies Day at Conference South club Sutton United and ladies and girls will be admitted free to the match against Weston Super Mare in a bid to broaden the club's female fanbase.

And, although Coventry City's match against Bradford City has been moved to March 10 after the Bantams' superb FA Cup win at Chelsea, the Sky Blues offers of 'buy one get one free' and a free ticket for season ticket holders still apply.

Saturday 7 February 2015

A Quartet of Offers at Scunthorpe United

As the Iron slowly climb up the League One table under the management of Mark Robins, Scunthorpe United are aiming to boost attendances at their upcoming home fixtures with a number of different offers.

For the matches against Chesterfield (February 17) and Bradford City (March 17), season ticket holders can bring a friend for £5 by visiting the ticket office prior to kick-off on the respective matchday.

Ahead of the games against Swindon Town (February 14) and Yeovil Town (February 28), local newspaper the Scunthorpe Telegraph will be printing a voucher on the previous Thursday which entitles admission to under-16's for free and to adults/concessions for £10.

More details at http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/special-offer-for-swindon-and-yeovil-games-2252564.aspx

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Friday 6 February 2015

Watch New York City FC's First Ever Matches

Although Frank Lampard's absence may be a touchy subject, New York City FC are in Manchester and preparing to play their first ever matches next week ahead of their Major League Soccer bow in early March.

Captained by World Cup winner David Silva, Manchester City's sister club will use the new Academy Stadium to play St Mirren on Tuesday 10 February at 7pm and Danish side Brondby on Sunday 15 February at 12pm.

Families can enjoy the occasion as admission (£5 for adults, £3 for Seasoncard holders and Cityzen Members) for Under-16's will be just $1 (65p) with free popcorn as well!

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Club-news/2015/February/Watch-NYCFC-v-St-Mirren

Staying with the Academy Stadium, Manchester City's Under-19's host Schalke there on Tuesday 24th February (4pm) in the UEFA Youth League with tickets free for Seasoncard holders, £3 adults and £1 for concessions.

And Manchester City Women will be playing their home matches there too. Seasoncards are currently on sale to Cityzens members, priced at £48 for adults which includes entry to all WSL, FA Cup and Continental Cup games. General sale begins on 16 February.

Thursday 5 February 2015

Name Your Price for Valentine's Day at Lincoln City

The financial future of Lincoln City Football Club has been in the news this week after the club's bankers decided to call in a £380,000 debt.

Chairman Bob Dorrian and the club have this week appealed for funds through the issue of shares and bonds while supporters have set up a crowdfunding page to try and help.

Although the financial situation is not mentioned in connection with it, the Imps have also announced a 'Name Your Price' ticket offer for the Valentine's Day clash against Chester FC at Sincil Bank.

All tickets purchased in advance before close of business on Friday 13 February, subject to a £1 minimum, will be available for what the purchaser feels is a 'fair and reasonable' price.

"We're always looking at new ways of getting people to the ground on a match day and this initiative is a prime example," said General Manager John Vickers.

"The price of watching football is always a hot topic amongst supporters so this is the perfect opportunity for people to decide for themselves as to what's a reasonable price to pay."
 
Away fans can take part too.
 
 

'Pay What You Want' For Charity At Gala Fairydean Rovers

'Pay What You Want' football is a hot topic in Scotland at present after the success of recent initiatives at Albion Rovers, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Clyde FC and a similar offer at Hamilton Accies which let fans in for 10 pence to the home game against Inverness.

Airdrie FC are running a 'Pay What You Want' scheme for their Valentine's Day clash with Forfar Athletic and, this Saturday (7th February), so too are Gala Fairydean Rovers of the Lowland League.

The home match against Dalbeattie Star will benefit Scottish Heart at Risk Testing (HART) with the charity taking all donations made at the gate.


Gala Fairydean Rovers secretary Graeme McIver commented: "The club will shortly be unveiling a significant community initiative of which the tie-in with Scottish HART is just one part.

"We are working with a number of local charity partners and other organisations in an effort to ensure that Gala Fairydean Rovers FC is fully integrated within the community of Galashiels.

"The motto of our new initiative will be 'A club with a heart, in the heart of our community'."

More details can be found in this article on the Border Telegraph website.

Also on a charity theme, Dulwich Hamlet FC are breaking new ground with an 'Anti-Homophobia' friendly against Stonewall FC on Wednesday 11 February at Champion Hill (7:30pm).

Tickets are priced at £3 and £1 with proceeds going to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Tuesday 3 February 2015

Free Football After Tottenham v Arsenal This Saturday

Essex Senior League club Haringey Borough FC are offering free admission to their home game against Takeley FC this Saturday at 3pm.

Haringey play their home games at Coles Park, White Hart Lane (the very same one) and hopefully will attract some of those spectators streaming out of the Tottenham versus Arsenal derby which kicks off at 12:45pm.

Thanks to the excellent London Football Guide blog for this info.


http://www.haringeyboroughfc.com/

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.

Love Is In The Air(drie): Pay What You Want On Valentine's Day

Following positive feedback from the recent 'Pay What You Want' fixture between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Johnstone in the Scottish top-flight, Airdrie are running a similar initiative for their home game against Forfar Athletic on Valentine's Day.

New Broomfield is the place to go with your loved one for a 5:30pm kick-off in Scottish League One and, if you think the game was worth more than you paid going into the ground, pop a bit extra into the buckets that will be left outside afterwards!

http://www.airdriefc.com/news/2015/02/paywhatyoucan

Affordable Football aims to bring you the special offers, reduced ticket prices and family deals that make catching a match anywhere in the country more affordable. You can tweet us @affordablefooty or email affordablefootball@yahoo.com if your club are doing something worth hearing about.


Monday 2 February 2015

Big Day Out at the Vanarama Conference Promotion Final

To mark the end of a successful first season of sponsoring the top level of the non-league game in England, Vanarama and the Football Conference are aiming to make the Conference Promotion Final more than just a match.

The game, which takes place at Wembley on Sunday 17th May, kick-off 2pm, will form part of the Vanarama 'Big Day Out' and hopefully attract supporters from all parts of the country.

In terms of ticket prices, each member club of the Football Conference (Premier, North and South) will make available a special voucher offer available to their fans which can then be exchanged for event tickets nearer the time. The vouchers are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children under 16 years, representing a big saving on the matchday ticket prices.


More details are available at
http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=14417