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Gold Coast United FC player Tahj Minniecon during the United A-league team's first training session at Southport on the Gold Coast, Tuesday April 7, 2009. AAP Image/Tony Phillips
Gold Coast United got a rousing result last night with a come from behind win over EPL club Fulham, thanks to a wonderful bit of composure in the box by Shane Smeltz. But did they miss an opportunity off the pitch with their pricing for the game?
Officially last night’s attendance was 10,336, a handy crowd by any measure. But did Clive Palmer and his crew miss an opportunity to fill Skilled Park and build a bit of local goodwill by offering locals a more affordable price to see their new team?
The four categories of adult tickets ranged from $35 to $65, and went up in $10 increments. There was even a plush platinum $95 ticket with private bar and complimentary snacks.
For a pre-season game, which essentially amounted to a training hit-out for both sides, as both Jason Culina and Roy Hodgson were quick to point out afterwards, it was far too steep, even considering Fulham’s EPL status.
It gets worse with Perth selling its two Premier League friendlies against Wolves and Fulham at $50 and $65 respectively for a standing general admission ticket at Members Equity Stadium.
The next level up, a silver ticket, will set Glory faithful back $60 and $75, respectively, while the gold category tickets are $70 and $85.
Even the Melbourne match against Fulham starts at $52 and climbs to $62, $72 and $92. And, of course, that doesn’t include the $7.50 booking fee.
I’ve heard from a couple of Melbourne regulars, club members since the early days, who have barely missed a Victory home game but who will be giving this one a miss due to the prices.
Given the undoubted cost of bringing out such opposition, perhaps there’s an argument the promoters are simply trying to re-coup their investment.
But there are some worrying signs.
The spike in ticket prices is a trend that been creeping into the game of late. The FFA learnt the hard way when it had only 40,000 fans at a dead-rubber World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Sydney last month, where the cheapest price was $52.
Even the lower A-League crowds last season might be considered a sign that fans wish not to be burnt, especially at a time when the league is still building the quality of its on-field product.
At any time, but especially while the economy is still recovering, administrators must remain respectful of the fans and look for opportunities to bring them in, rather than keep them away.
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