Oldham prices edge upwards

ROUGHYEDS officials are hoping to increase the uptake on season tickets for next year despite a small hike in prices.

There is to be a £1 increase per game in 2009, the first time in three years that the cost of attending Oldham matches has risen.

But the club’s two directors believe that the possibility of playing all home fixtures at Boundary Park next season, in addition to the increased quality of the playing squad, will nonetheless lead to bigger attendances.

“We believe we must be one of the few clubs in the National Leagues, if not the only one, to have held prices since 2006,” said chairman Bill Quinn and chief executive Chris Hamilton in a joint statement.

“Running costs have gone up considerably in that time, but we have absorbed them and are still absorbing them because the £1 increase will only partially make up the shortfall.

“It’s a balancing act in which we have weighed the needs of the club and the entertainment value provided against our desire to keep prices to a minimum.

“The quality of the squad we are assembling for 2009 comes at a significant cost and hopefully supporters will want to buy into what we are doing and take on a shared responsibility as we seek to be successful on the field and to move the club forward on all fronts, both on the field and off it.”

Those buying season tickets will effectively get two matches free, if they buy before December 20 while savings are at their best. For under-16s, the cost of £50 is not subject to deadlines. More details of the new pricing structure for season tickets can be found on Page 32.

Matchday admission charges for the main stand (upper) will now be £14 (adults) and £10 (OAPs and concessions) with under-16s unchanged at £5.

In the main stand (lower) admission is set at £13, £9 and £5 respectively.

To compensate for the £1-entry televised Doncaster game, last year’s season ticket holders who renew will receive a voucher giving free entry to the home pre-season friendly against Leeds Rhinos, on a date not yet fixed.

All season tickets are available from the club offices on Lansdowne Road with immediate effect. Existing holders have until December 19 to reserve their specific seats.