BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
RAITH ROVERS chief executive Eric Drysdale has issued a rallying cry to supporters after the Fife club announced they have slashed their ticket prices to the lowest in the Ladbrokes Championship.
Adult briefs have been reduced to £15 ahead of Raith’s first home game of the season against St Mirren on Saturday, with significant discounts for seniors, students, disabled supporters and jobseekers.
The price for under-16s who are accompanied by adults has been reduced to £5 as Rovers make a conscious effort to “build the fanbase for the long term sustainability of the club”.
Raith have been actively seeking to boost attendances for several seasons and Drysdale is hopeful a swathe of reductions will attract supporters back to Stark’s Park.
And, having listened to the desire of fans to see “affordable” football, he has confirmed the longevity of the initiative will depend on how successful it proves this term.
Drysdale said: “We have listened to fans’ concerns about the affordability of live football, especially for those with young families, and we have decided to cut prices as low as we possibly can.
“I really hope the local community responds in big numbers by coming along and seeing how the team – and the club as a whole – is progressing.
“The board hopes this initiative will result in materially increased attendances in 2016/17 that will allow us to maintain discounted prices going forward.”
The structure will be in place for 12 of Raith’s 18 home league fixtures this season, with prices for the eagerly anticipated clashes against Dundee United, Hibernian and local rivals Dunfermline to be announced at a later date.
The new prices are also available to away supporters and Drysdale is counting on the immediate impact of the scheme with a bumper travelling support from Paisley this weekend.
He added: “Away supporters will also benefit from these discounted gate prices, and here’s hoping our Buddies from St Mirren make the journey in increased numbers this Saturday and make it a cracking atmosphere for what’s sure to be an entertaining match.”
A full price list can be found HERE
