3
Nearly 8,000 turned out for the cut-price final-day match v Partick Thistle in the “Defiant Season” while a similar number attended a, televised Scottish Cup quarter-final v Hamilton in 2005. Last November, Armed Forces personnel gained free entry against Kilmarnock, adding perhaps 500 of a 5,800 gate - fairly impressive considering Dundee had lost their five previous games. In January, a price reduction to £10 & £5 for the Scottish Cup tie v ICT brought a declared gate of only 3,507 (STs invalid) but the weather was particularly cold and a better measure might be to offer a “Spring-Time Special” double deal with reduced prices for the final two home games against Hamilton and Partick Thistle – matches that could be ***** to Dundee’s Scottish Premier future.
Televised matches have meant perhaps 20% of home games being played on Friday nights, or Saturday/Sunday at 1230 rather than the traditional 3pm kick-off. That can make it inconvenient or just impossible for a season-ticket holder to attend. And with these games shown live on TV, the temptation to watch elsewhere arises, leaving less value to be had from a season ticket and maybe a decision not to renew.
Thus, for those for whom a Season Ticket is impractical and PATG punitive, can a “Super-Six” Flexi ticket or similar be introduced, perhaps covering two Cat A and four Cat B games? Local derbies apart, attendances at televised games have been disappointing, many fans just will not pay Cat A prices (£26) for a game they can watch free in a pub with a few and it would seem well worth trialling a televised Sat 1230 game against Hearts, Hibs or Aberdeen with reduced prices while liaising with those clubs along with an appeal to home fans to respond, to see if there is an improvement.
We believe the club needs to consider whether it provides value for money and how others perceive them. A good way of doing this would be to conduct an Annual Supporter Satisfaction Survey, covering 10 key points. These can be completed by say 5% of our regular support - around 200 persons – with distribution to club sponsors, shareholders, season ticket holders, fans groups, pay at the gate fans, and of courses lapsed supporters.
To summarise
IMO, Season ticket prices are attractive though O65s & Students could be dropped slightly.
Re PATG, need to forget any ideas about Premier Category at £30 and reconsider Adult Cat A, Over 65 & Student prices – particularly when televised live.
We want to be The Club that cares – better PR required.