Source: Northern_Echo
Quinn defends season-ticket price increases
NIALL Quinn has defended Sunderland's "realistic pricing structure" despite the club raising the majority of their season-ticket prices for the 2011-12 season.[LNB] Sunderland announced their new season-card details yesterday, with a stand-out offer for supporters under the age of 16.[LNB] Under-16s can secure a season card for next season for just £69, a price that represents a marked decrease from the current campaign and works out at less than £4 a game.[LNB] However, prices in eight of the club's 12 price bands have risen, with the cheapest adult season card jumping from £380 to £400.[LNB] The most expensive standard season card, in the West and East Stand and Premier Concourse Centre has increased from £495 to £525.[LNB] The rising prices have been revealed less than a week after Quinn flagged up decreasing attendances at the Stadium of Light and claimed he "despised" supporters who opted to watch an illegal television feed in a pub rather than buy a ticket for the stadium.[LNB] The Sunderland chairman accepts the need to strike a balance between affordable prices and an acceptable level of income, but insists the Stadium of Light remains one of the cheapest places to watch Premier League football in the country.[LNB] "I'm immensely proud of the progress the club has made," said Quinn. "To be where we are in the table at this stage is fantastic and it gives us a great platform to build on for next season.[LNB] "Under Steve Bruce, our journey continues and there is a hugely positive feeling in the stands and in the dressing room. We are looking onwards and upwards and that shift in perspective is what we have all longed for.[LNB] "I do appreciate, however, that with all the passion and enthusiasm in the world - which our fans certainly have - it still isn't always an easy decision for supporters to commit financially to a season card.[LNB] "That is why our long-held ethos of welcoming supporters to the Stadium of Light with a realistic pricing structure continues to be uppermost in our minds.[LNB] "I believe we strike a good balance with our prices in terms of making paying to watch their team as affordable and convenient as possible for our fans and bringing in the revenue we need to help the club continue to make the progress we all want to see.[LNB] "Our prices means that a child under 16 can attend the Stadium of Light for less than £4 a game, which I think represents very good value for money and gives families the opportunity to come along and enjoy football together. I sincerely hope that our commitment to fair prices will encourage as many people as possible to join us on the next part of our journey."[LNB] New season cards will be available from Monday, March 7, and the prices unveiled yesterday are available to anyone renewing their existing seat or purchasing a new season card by Wednesday, April 6.[LNB] Anyone purchasing a season card by that date will also be eligible for an interest-free payment scheme that enables them to spread the cost over eight months with no additional payment.[LNB] * Quinn will host a series of talk-ins in the next few weeks, in which he will discuss the club's present and future position with supporters.[LNB] The forums, which will take place across the North-East, will also see a number of guests join Quinn on stage.[LNB] The events are free, but season-card holders will receive priority for tickets. Anyone interested in attending should log on to www.safc.com.[LNB] The events will take place at the following venues: Whiteleas Social Club, South Shields (Monday, March 7), Sedgefield Racecourse (Tuesday, March 8), Rainton Meadows Arena (Wednesday, March 23), Stadium of Light Sports Bar (Friday, April 1).[LNB]
