In response to feedback from some fans, the Board tonight (June 5 2012) reconsidered our concessionary season ticket prices for next season. We accept that the position of existing ticket holders over 65 had been made worse and as a result have reduced the Early Bird concession price further to £120.00 until the end of June. This equates to £6.66 per game, of which £1.33 is VAT so the club only really gets just over £5.00.

Another change which would have kept the season tickets at last year’s prices for some supporters was considered but we were advised that this may have infringed pricing regulations set by the footballing authorities. Our history with the SFA is such that we did not think it wise to risk the consequences of a possible breach of rules

The package of changes benefits most people but not all and the board were fully aware of that when making our decision. We were also aware of the fact that whatever changes we made would result in some supporters being unhappy but we feel we have put forward as balanced a set of proposals as would meet our club aims.

The key aim is always to ensure that East Fife FC remains solvent now and in the future.

We also want to achieve a number of other things:

• Maintain the basic admission price despite the fact that this will be the third year of prices at that level of £13.00 during which period inflation as judged by CPI has risen by about 8%. Had we increased the basic admission price by that the pay at the gate price would have been £14.00 and season tickets up by £12/13. Remember that £2.60 of the £13.00 is VAT.

• Make it easier for supporters in full time education to attend games as we know that more and more young people will be in full time education after the age of 16.

• Recognise that more people are leaving full time employment earlier and thus give individual supporters aged 60 the equivalent of five years’ reduced prices.

• Simplify the administration of any concessions - students have ID and over 60s have their concessionary card. This is actually quite important because the youngsters at the turnstiles at the moment can sometimes find it difficult to get clear evidence of someone's status. A minor aspect is that it's easier as far as change is concerned to charge £10 and £5.

• Make a gesture towards our oldest supporters - if you've been supporting East Fife and you reach 80 then you deserve it! After that magic age season tickets are free!

• And of course above all maintain the financial stability of the club.

Our bills are going up like everyone else and we don't think anyone familiar with the finances of Scottish football expects anything but even more difficult times ahead. Cash flow problems last season meant temporary financial support from individual directors was needed and the same situation has only just been narrowly avoided this season.

The package of prices we put forward helps us meet these aims and we hope our fans will accept our efforts to keep the club financially sound.

Well done for sorting this. Hope people can get behind this and make this year a record for season ticket sales.

We now have a comprehensive explanation of what the board were trying to achieve with the 2012/13 pricing structure i.e. "maintain the financial stability of the club".
When the pricing structure was discussed by the board was it agreed that significant increases in 60+ season tickets/gate receipts was a major contribution towards financial stability. Was it also agreed that increasing the gate price from £7 to £10 was an effective way to "simplify the administration of concessions"
Did anyone on the board anticipate that the decision
would not be received well. Did anyone on the board calculate how much additional revenue would be generated ?
I have no knowledge of what rationale was applied but my uninformed estimate would be that increased revenue will be between £2000-£4000 over a season (less,of course,a loss from some who will either stop going or not attend as often)