13/05/2008 - Fans cool on Crewe move to freeze ticket prices
by GWYN GRIFFITHS
Crewe have frozen season ticket prices for 2008/2009 in a bid to entice fans back to the Alexandra Stadium.
But after a dismal campaign in which relegation to League Two was only avoided on the final day of the season, Crewe Alexandra Supporters' Initiative says the club should be offering fans more incentives to sign up again.
The fans' group also believe season ticket sales will struggle to reach last year's 2,500 mark without the feel-good factor of across-the-board price cuts.
Adults will pay £285 for a season pass, while 17 to 19-year-olds will have to fork out £170. Tickets for the 12-16 age group will cost £70.
Alex chairman John Bowler says the charges - which have been effectively kept at the same level for a third year running - are among the cheapest in League One.
"We are very disappointed with the overall performance of the team last season, but we will not make excuses," said Bowler.
"The prices represent a significant discount in real terms and are even more competitive compared to other League One clubs."
Crewe also hope to generate more family visits with a new initiative in the Wulvern Housing Family Stand which works out at just £12.40 a game for a child under 11 accompanied by a parent.
Use of the Executive Suite at the Railway end of the ground is also included in the £20 season price for a junior (their guardian's ticket has been cut to £265).
But with average Alex gates last term down to 4,931 from 5,461 in 2006/2007, Crewe ASi spokesman Marco Criscuolo says much more should have been done to make League One football more attractive to disillusioned supporters.
Criscuolo cites the summer of 2006 when tickets could be bought at a discounted £270 until a renewal date when they reverted to the higher level (£285).
He said: "The fact we stayed up is not enough. There will be an awful lot of people who will say 'I'm not paying that again'."