Crystal Palace slammed for leaving a ‘bitter taste’ with the Premier League club ‘set to earn £25,000 by scrapping discounted season tickets’ for armed forces and NHS staff
Crystal Palace has been accused by supporters of leaving a ‘bitter taste’ by axing long-standing discounted tickets for armed forces and personnel.
The discount has been removed from season tickets by the club ahead of the 2024-2025 season.
Police officers, nurses and soldiers will be among those to see their season tickets rise by as much as £300, as reported by the Mirror.
Crystal Palace, which reported a club record turnover of £160m in its latest accounts, will reportedly make a further £25,000 next season by scrapping discounted tickets.
The club’s ticket office has confirmed that the discounted tickets will not be reinstated, stressing that the decision was brought to the attention of supporters last season.
Crystal Palace has been criticized for axing discounts for armed forces and NHS staff
Crystal Palace will reportedly make £25,000 by removing the discounted tickets for supporters
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“I understand that the removal of the discount may come as disappointing news, especially given the support and loyalty you have shown to the club over the years,” an email to a supporter said.
“Please know that this decision was not made lightly, and we appreciate the contributions of our military personnel.
‘I would like to clarify that when we sold season ticket extensions last season, we informed supporters personally or by telephone that the discount would no longer apply for the 24/25 season. I have now spoken to our cash register and the discount will not be restored.
“We recognize that these types of changes may be distressing, and we apologize if there has been any confusion or inconvenience.”
One supporter, Danny Hannigan, told the Mirror that the club’s relationship with supporters has ‘deteriorated’.
“I’m seriously considering not renewing,” he said.
‘It’s not about the money, it’s about the way it is handled. I’m taking a full day 200 mile round trip to the ground, but this has left a bitter taste.
‘They don’t care about fans anymore. Everything they do is to get more money from fans. Nothing comes back. In the Championship it felt like a family club, now they do what they want.’
Crystal Palace supporters have protested against the club’s ownership in recent months
Manchester City fans hold up a banner in frustration over the price increase for next season’s tickets
Crystal Palace supporters had protested against the club’s owners as recently as February, holding banners in the crowd during a home match against Chelsea.
Fans also put up banners during the defeat to Arsenal in January that read: ‘Wasted potential on and off the pitch, weak decisions, leaving us going backwards’.
Several Premier League clubs recently faced protests from supporters against the increase in ticket prices.
Man City fans accused the Premier League champions of exploiting loyalty when they raised a banner ahead of Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Arsenal.
City emailed fans last week with the individual price they would have to pay for season tickets next year, asking supporters to pay an average of a percent increase in the price for their seat.
The rise in costs has infuriated supporters’ groups and they have accused the club of overpricing them, especially after they recently posted record revenues of £712 million.
Tottenham supporters also turned their backs on their match with Luton in the 65th minute on Saturday in support of the ‘Save Our Seniors’ group.
Spurs confirmed last month that OAP concessions would only apply to matchday tickets from the 2025-2026 campaign, with senior season ticket discounts ‘reluctantly’ removed for sustainability reasons.
Tottenham supporters turned their backs on Luton in protest in the 65th minute
The protest was organized in response to the club removing discounts on season tickets for seniors
The north London team also announced that season tickets would increase by six percent between 2024 and 2025, prompting fans to accuse the club on social media of ‘theft’ amid the current cost of living crisis.
Tottenham’s move followed a similar decision by their north London rivals Arsenal, while Manchester United, Brentford and Burnley have each announced increases in ticket prices.
Chelsea’s Supporters Trust launched a scathing attack on the club’s board last month. The warning sentiment was approaching “irreversible toxicity” amid rumors that season ticket prices would be increased this summer.
The club’s Fan Advisory Board responded by emphasizing that they have been involved in direct dialogue with the owners regarding their ticket sales plans.