Louise Posted 31 March 2005 Share Posted 31 March 2005 Now I don't like Leeds but... UNITED SEASON TICKET SHOCKFans' fury as new board puts prices through the roof by Phil Hay Leeds United supporters today threatened to boycott Elland Road after huge increases in season ticket prices were announced by the club. United have: • Upped the cost of passes throughout the stadium for the 2005-06 campaign; • Prevented season ticket holders in the top tier of the East Stand from renewing their tickets; • Decreased the capacity of the Family Stand to 4,900 tickets; • Ended the easy-instalment scheme, forcing fans to pay in full before the start of the new season. Chairman Ken Bates warned of significant increases when he assumed control of United in January with the club in serious debt, but today's news has provoked outrage from United's supporters. Graham Devaney, a 35-year-old asthmatic from Bradford, is facing a mark-up of more than 100 per cent after the club raised the combined cost of tickets for him and his son in the Family Stand from £447 to £1,090. Devaney said: "I feel absolutely sick. I've supported the club since I was four years old. I have bought every shirt going and last season I paid around £6,000 to follow Leeds home and away. "This is how you get treated for showing loyalty. "I won't be stepping foot in Elland Road ever again and I don't want a penny of my money going to the club. We definitely won't be renewing. "If this is the direction that Leeds United are heading then I don't want anything to do with the club or the people who run it." United's prices will peak at £640 for renewals next season, over £200 more than Championship rivals Sheffield United. The South Yorkshire club are charging £399 for seats in their Main Stand at Bramall Lane, while members of their Junior Blades scheme will pay £109 and under-10s just £50. Pensioner Gary Wheelhouse, from Seacroft in Leeds, also admitted he would turn his back on Elland Road after receiving confirmation of the increases. Mr Wheelhouse would have been charged an extra £100 for a place in the Family Stand next season, and he said: "This is horrendous. A lot of fans will be very unhappy about the situation. "There's no way I can afford this and they've lost our money. "They can't throw increases like this at us and expect the supporters to accept it. We've stuck with this club through some hard times and I'm absolutely furious that this is happening." In a letter to supporters, Mr Bates defended United's decision, saying: "On pricing, the current system is complicated and in some cases unfair. "For example, why should a mature student of 30 years of age be subsidised by a fan of the same age who is working, married with two kids and possibly a mortgage? "With your help we'll be back where we belong." http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle2.asp...rticleID=986741 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fez of Mahrez Posted 31 March 2005 Share Posted 31 March 2005 Hahahaha, what has being asthmatic got to do with it? Lunacy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxes_Trust Posted 31 March 2005 Share Posted 31 March 2005 Welcome to the world of Ken Bates Think who used to have the highest ST prices in the Prem prior to Roman's millions. Could have predicted this a mile off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burger Posted 1 April 2005 Share Posted 1 April 2005 Things like this will ruin football! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 1 April 2005 Share Posted 1 April 2005 what has being asthmatic got to do with it? 85969[/snapback] Exactly, I'm asthmatic, does this now mean I'm a special case? This is a truly shocking move by Bates. As much as I dislike Leeds Utd, I wouldn't wish this on any supporter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox in a Box Posted 1 April 2005 Share Posted 1 April 2005 what has being asthmatic got to do with it? 85969[/snapback] Exactly, I'm asthmatic, does this now mean I'm a special case? This is a truly shocking move by Bates. As much as I dislike Leeds Utd, I wouldn't wish this on any supporter. 86002[/snapback] I said Ken Bates was useless years ago...... he is ruthless and takes advantage of people supporting the local team (excely manure). He charges more, put the back on an even keel, then strips the clubs assests (see chelsea) then sells on for large profit. Poor leeds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Posted 1 April 2005 Share Posted 1 April 2005 Ken Bates = Gold Digger He don't care about Leeds Utd at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knighton Matt Posted 11 April 2005 Share Posted 11 April 2005 i think martin o'neill hit the nail on the head when he called ken bates a footballing cretin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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