First of all to be applauded is the introduction of the SPL passport scheme. For those fans not familiar with the scheme, it allows children under the age of 12 with season tickets free entry into away games. As a parent with 2 children under the age of 12, this has opened up away games to my family with an average saving £30 per game. Most SPL clubs also have good deals on family season tickets but not every family is in the position to take advantage of these deals.
So, for families who do not have season tickets, football becomes a very expensive pastime. When you consider the average price for a family of four to go to an SPL football match is in the region of £80, is it any wonder families no longer go to games on a regular basis.
With this in mind, following the success the SPL have had with the passport scheme, is it time for the SPL to look at a new scheme for next season to reduce prices for pay at the gate families. I really can see no reason why a club needs to charge a 5 year old child £15 to get into a match. This is the case for away fans visiting ICT but we are not the only club guilty of such rip off prices, it is rife throughout the league.
Another worrying trend, which has occurred at Caley Thistle, is the decline in the hospitality revenue. At a recent home game against Motherwell only 19 people took up hospitality. Could this mean that not only are families being out priced but local businesses are no longer prepared to pay the ridiculously overpriced amounts that SPL teams think they can charge.
So what I am saying to SPL clubs is wake up and smell the coffee. We the supporters are no longer prepared to pay whatever ridiculous prices you see fit to charge. Carry on as you are and the grounds in a few years time will be empty. Once supporters are lost to the game, it is a near impossible task to encourage them back.