It has turned into another difficult season for Nottingham Forest fans, but despite ongoing issues, they remain out of the relegation drop zone by a single point and could be on track to again consolidate their position back in the top flight for the second consecutive season.
As fans in the wider world of football will know, Forest have joined Everton in being docked points by the Premier League this year for a breach of Profit and Sustainability rules, and whilst their appeal is yet to be heard, keeping their heads out of the drop zone would undoubtedly be considered a success by their fans. The best football betting website would demonstrate that in its odds of their survival.
However, whilst the City Ground faithful would be pleased by that, they are less impressed by the clubs’ recent announcement that ticket prices for the coming 2024/25 campaign would be significantly rising.
An adult season ticket in Zone One of the Brian Clough Upper stand has now increased by 28%, with confirmation now in that a child’s season ticket will go up a whopping 111%.
For reasons that do not need explaining, the Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Trust have stated their disgust at these changes, and firmly put on the record that their position is that they ‘strongly oppose’ the unconscionable way above inflation rises, particularly in light of the current economy, and the pressures that fans and their families are already dealing with.
They are not wrong in pointing out that those percentage increases are ‘totally disproportionate to the current inflation rate’ and fans of other colours would agree, that such single dramatic rises (not least whilst their PL future is in doubt) are at the very least, incredibly ill timed, and ill thought out.
Forest’s most expensive season ticket now stands at £850 (up from £660), and additional Zone One increases will see the cheapest season ticket rise to £550 from £465.
Their Supporters’ Trust acknowledge that given Forest’s years out of the top flight, they are naturally at the lower end of the scale when it comes to pricing, but whilst rises were expected and ultimately inevitable, it is the excessive nature of the increases that rightly has the backs of fans up now.
Particularly as they point to the arbitrary nature of ‘area’ rises, which will either price people out full stop, or completely destroy the match day friendships that have been fostered – and fans who move elsewhere for affordable tickets, and then do not have the same experience because of the loss of those long built friendships, many will not return.
Any season ticket holder will tell you that, and given fans (any ticket bracket) make up such a minimal amount in the top flight as it applies to revenue, price out, or further take loyal, through thick and thin, fans for granted and good luck five years down the line if you are not attracting the plastics because you have success, and have managed to replace them.
Half empty stadiums with no atmosphere do not look good.
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