We are delighted that Brentford Football Club has announced a price freeze on season tickets for the 2023/24 season. This is another victory for BIAS and for Brentford fans in general.
Our number one priority is to ensure that the Club upholds owner Matthew Benham’s long stated commitment to affordable football. We reinforced this point multiple times in our meetings with the club and are delighted they have listened to us.
We made no secret of our view that given the club’s yearly income of around £120m provided by television broadcasting, which dwarfs revenue generated by ticket sales, that season ticket prices should not be increased.
So, we are pleased the Club listened to us, froze prices for next year, and thank the Club for that decision. We hope this is policy while we remain in the Premier League.
But it’s only a job half done. Matchday prices for next season must be frozen too. These tickets are often bought by those with low incomes, some of whom couldn’t afford season tickets when they were made available at the time of the move to our new stadium. Any price rise hits them hardest.
The club must have its corporate social responsibility at the heart of decisions that affects supporters attending games. Indeed, there are good reasons for lowering prices across the board given our status and the country’s current economic outlook.
Every seat counts: our input
BIAS met the club several times this season to discuss their new “every seat counts” policy. The desire for ensuring matchday seats are filled each game is laudable. But that must also come with robust action by the Club on tackling ticket touting and reducing away fans purchasing tickets in home areas.
We know some Brentford fans currently do not put their seat(s) on the ticket exchange in case an away fan buys it and spoils the enjoyment for those sat around them. We are delighted the club is moving to a new ticketing partner, but now the onus is on them to minimise and take this issue seriously now they have the right tools.
Fans will note sanctions are to be applied for non-compliance. We expect there to be a focus by the club to ensure no genuine fan is penalised or loses out and a robust, transparent appeals process.
Our request has been accepted for revoked season tickets going back on sale to Brentford fans and not allocated to matchday sales.
We want to see seats filled and believe the number of complimentary tickets distributed to players and partners is too high and should be reduced so genuine Brentford fans can attend instead.
Our mission is to continue fighting for Brentford fans every step of the way. We want to ensure football at The Gtech can be enjoyed by all, and not the privileged few. If you’re not a BIAS member,join now for free– together we’re stronger.
Richard Rumbold
I am not sure who BIAS talked to but it certainly not me. I am certainly not happy about the yellow card scheme and have made my feelings clear to brentford football club. I have supported the bees for 73 years but the way we are being treated in being punished for missing matches makes me think the time is coming to stop. Let’s be honest about this all this is about is making more money by reselling tickets at an increased price and pocketing the difference. I will not resell my ticket as I don’t want my fellow fans who I have sat with for years to have their enjoyment spoiled by having strangers who could be anybody hoisted on them. So your headline is wrong the news has not been lauded by all fans.