Chairman Lansdown hails loyal Bristol City supporters
Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown has paid tribute to those supporters who have parted with their cash to demonstrate their continued loyalty to the club.
More than 6,000 fans took advantage of special early-bird rates to renew their season tickets before last weekend's deadline.
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And Lansdown insists such a response offers incontrovertible proof that Bristol City FC are making progress despite recent difficulties on the pitch.
Disappointed by their team's slide into the bottom half of the Championship table, some City fans, fearful that manager Gary Johnson's team might be relegated, have delayed buying season tickets for the 2010/11 campaign.
Although sales are unlikely to match the record-breaking 2008/09 season, when more than 13,000 tickets were sold, Lansdown remains confident the club will again exceed the 10,000 mark.
He said: "These early-bird figures are vindication that we are doing things the right way. It shows that the supporters are buying into what we are trying to achieve here.
"Things do not always run smoothly and there are fluctuations along the way. We have to keep our supporters happy and give them what they want and, to be fair, we have not given them a sparkling season. But if we manage to sell 10,000 season tickets, that will prove that Bristol is a football town and that people here are passionate about their local club.
"I know some smaller towns have clubs which sell more than we do, but they have perhaps had greater success in the past.
"We are still building and I would like to thank those loyal fans who have stuck with us and shown their support."
He added: "These are difficult times for many people and we know the fans have to count their pennies.
"It's not ideal having to pay up so early and that is why we have set in place schemes that enable them to spread the cost. You have to do that in the current climate."
Season tickets go back on sale from 9am tomorrow with a new set of prices. The club is targeting families in an attempt to match this season's sales of 11,600. A limited number of tickets will be available from £570, allowing families to watch home games next season from £6.20 each.
Season tickets for under-16s are available for as little as £100, while children under the age of seven will again be admitted free of charge as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult.
Lansdown added: "Our aim is to encourage families to come to Ashton Gate together, build our support for the future, while at the same time making watching Bristol City affordable to our most loyal supporters. I believe the season ticket offers achieve that aim."
A finance option – provided by Zebra Finance – will again be available, allowing supporters to spread the cost of their season ticket across five monthly instalments, interest-free, subject to a £15 admin charge.
The latest offer is open to 2009/10 season card holders and club members only from tomorrow until May 31. Non-members wishing to buy a season card should first pay for a 2009/10 membership (£20 adults, £5 under-16s, £40 family – two adult, two under-16s).
Renewals are simple, with season card holders able to use their current smart card for next season.
Season cards can be bought or renewed online 24 hours a day via bcfc.co.uk; by phoning 0871 222 66 66 (option1) or in person at Ashton Gate. Existing season card holders have until May 31 to secure their seat for the 2010/11 campaign before they are released for general sale.
22 Comments
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by Phil, Bristol
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 7:19PM
“Dear Steve.
Season Ticket holder for 15 years and regular attendee for 21 years.
I like what your doing off the pitch, but on the pitch we are lost and have no leadership on the field or in the managers office.
I don't mind winning/drawing or losing and I don't even mind our current league position,
What I do mind is our current managers negative style of football, constant signing of players for crazy money who are then promptly deemed "not good enough"
Don't you feel a bit concerned how much of your money he is wasting.
I unfortunately will not be renewing whilst Gary Johnson is Manager at this club.
Regards
Phil”
by brian, nailsea
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 6:27PM
“Anyone who wants Lansdown out is simply not a City supporter. Compare lansdown's record to other chairmen and it is clear he is forward thinking and has the best and long term interests of the club at heart. The one questionable doubt I have is just how long he will allow the manager to continue spending money on players who under-perform. Only once can I recall the manager taking the blame for defeat this season, the rest of the time there has been excuses ranging from player injuries to payers not rtying. There comes a point where a manager has to accept resonsibility for picking the team, its formation and providing the inspiration. Have the players lost confidence in the manager.? City are too good to go down, but any thoughts in the close season of clearouts must include manager and coaching staff. I hope I have not bought a season ticket for League one football, if I have will prices be further reduced rather than increased?!”
by john, swineford
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 6:02PM
“Ref Steve Waters-You are so right Steve about Gary not being sacked and the reason for this is because the man you bow down to gave him a 5yr contract.Try and calm down please.”
by Anoose, Round my neck
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:49PM
“Let it no be forgotten that Lansdown rubber stamped these signings. Obviously has more money than sense.”
by Paul, Whitchurch
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:30PM
“Whilst loyalty is commendable the immediate future of Bristol City has to override blinkered views of the managers past glories (which took place two years ago).
The past 12 months have been very poor indeed. It will be a complete catastrophe if, on current form, we are relegated.
Time and again poor (but expensive) signings have come and gone, yet the balance of the squad is still skewed. There has been absolutely blend between the senior pros and Academy lads, which suggests a manager ill-equipped to develop young players.
I guess it is summed up by us signing Saborio on loan whilst Doncaster signed a proven Championship goal-scorer in Billy Sharp !
The manager - for numerous reasons - is out-of-touch with what is required at this level.”
by Jason, Bristol
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:20PM
“Keep the Manager,sack the team,a bunch of waster's.”
by Jack, Bristol
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:17PM
“Steve,put the new stadium on the back burner,and buy a few guys that can play football,otherwise your new stadium will only need to seat 2000,about average gate in the Conference.”
by Clive, Bath
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:09PM
“Steve - The fact you are up a scaffold shows you are not clever either, as your blind faith in the Club displays. Just because people on here are airing their concerns over the ineptitude being shown by firstly the manager and now the chairman by keeping this clown in charge doesn't they mean they are gasheads.”
by dolman bob, bristol
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:06PM
“steve states that many Bristolians are backward underachievers (charming - that confirms what a sweeping judgemental twonk we are talking to here), but bizarrely appears happy to accept the current underachieving manager, uncle pete and the hapless junior.... and all this on the back of a 5-2 thumping at home to Doncaster, and 3 wins from the last 22 games.
i smell gas.
can you not see that the people on here calling for change are doing it for the very reason they are unprepared to put up with underachievement?
listen pal, as you love the johnsons but despise Bristolians i suggest you also leave ashton gate when their overdue eviction finally takes place.”
by Steve Walters, Up the scaffold
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 3:09PM
“Some of the vitriol on here is absurd, although it doesn't surprise me with the backward, underachieving trait of many Bristolians. Steve Lansdown and other forward thinking businessmen must cringe when the average Bristolian gets exposed to any media coverage or public forums.
There is no chance that City are going to sack Gary Johnson, the sooner people realise this and get behind the team for the fag end of the season the better.
I would guess around 12 players will be out the door at the end of the season, my only worry is that we are incapable of attracting championship standard players, or decent loans. This has to be the major concern.
Anyone who continues to spout this nonsense that Lee Johnson gets picked because his Dad is the manager really is retarded. Oh and gasheads, just because you put BS3, Ashton, Dolman or any other city association in your username doesn't make you clever.
Dolman Bob - I am still waiting!”