The BBC's annual Price Of Football survey has revealed that Sutton United has the lowest priced season tickets of any club in the top five divisions of English Football. See here for full results.
Launched at just £99 for an adult season ticket it works out at less than £4.50 per game to watch the U's play in the Vanarama National League this year. The BBC survey has a strong focus on the costs of football for young people; at Sutton, teenagers could pay just £20 for the whole season and for those aged twelve and under it was just £10.
Bruce Elliott, the club's Chairman, is proud to have been recognised for Sutton's approach to pricing. "It became clear to us that the price of football at the level at which we play, at all levels really, is prohibitive to many people who would love to watch live football on a regular basis. It used to be a thrill remembered for generations when ordinary people, including youngsters, could go to their local ground and watch players such as Matthews, Finney, Charlton, Greaves and Best without it costing an arm and a leg. We now have some fantastic players in the Premier League, the likes of Sanchez, Aguero and De Bruyne but, for many, the cost is prohibitive. We felt that the same impact, on a smaller scale, was being witnessed at the levels outside the Football League and so we took a gamble, but it has paid off. Season ticket sales have rocketed from just over 125 three years ago to more than 1500 this season and total gate income is up threefold."
Adrian Barry, who represents the Supporters' Trust on the club's board of directors, firmly believes that this policy of fair pricing is paying dividends. "Football clubs live in the moment but they weave a continuous thread through the rich tapestry of a town's history and current generations have to pay as much attention to the future as they do the present. We are delighted to see an average attendance this season of over 2,000 people and we are especially pleased to see so many young people come to matches, because they will form our fanbase for many years to come. And aren't they all getting value for money ! With the team currently riding high in 3rd place in the National League, just a single point off the top of the table, we have probably the strongest team in the club's long and proud history. But it's not just about the first team, many of those watching also play for one of the club's forty or so teams providing opportunities for girls and boys of all ages, players with disabilities, veterans and teenagers aspiring to turn professional. Our pricing policy, our commitment to the community and our fantastic 3G pitch are all helping to make these exciting times for the club."
Still looking for that perfect Christmas Present for someone ? What better gift than watching the Us !
As we approach the mid point of the season with the U's just one point off the top of the table, we are delighted to confirm that we will soon be announcing details of our great value Half-Season-Tickets, which will be valid for all our remaining home league games staring with Tranmere Rovers on 23rd December.
Keep an eye on our website towards the end of this week.