Norwich City season ticket prices for next year announced

Norwich City season ticket prices for next year have gone up �1.50 per game or about 8.8pc – with a standard season ticket in the Barclay Stand rising from �389 to �423.50.

There are discounts for people who buy season tickets early and prices for under-21s, under-16s and under-12s have been frozen at 2009/10 levels.

However, the age at which senior adults receive a concession has moved from 60 to 65 to bring the club into line with other organisations and to reflect a pending legislative change to the national age of retirement in Great Britain.

This latter change will affect people like Brian Colley, 59, who lives near North Walsham.

He said he understood the changes, but was upset that his age group was again being penalised.

He said: 'I had to take early retirement through ill-health.

'I was looking forward to getting my concessionary rate at 60, having been a season ticket holder for 11 years and a member for 27 years, but I rang the club and said I would not get it.

'In the current economic situaion it means that I may have to reconsider renewing my season ticket.'

City Chief Executive David McNally acknowledged that we were living in tough times, and admitted it was a tough decision to put up prices during the current recession.

He said: 'We thought long and hard about putting up the prices, but the club needs to improve its financial position and we need to support the football manager.

'In order to do that we have to look at the products we sell, and season tickets are a really important part of that.

'Equally though, we recognise the pressures families are under in these difficult economic times, and we have decided to freeze the prices for all young people at every age group.

'Our new prices are an important part of the business plan for next season. Following these changes, we truly believe that the prices paid by you per match still represent terrific value for money.'

Kathy Blake, secretary of the Norwich City Independent Supporters' Association said the price rise was not as bad as expected.

She said: 'That's better than I thought it was going to be. We were expecting a big hike. I applaud the prices for young supporters being frozen, as they are the future of the club.'

Meanwhile, with VAT set to increase from 17.5pc to 20pc on January 4, 2011, supporters are being offered a special 'Beat the VAT' incentive to those who purchase their 2011-12 season ticket before January 3.

The club is also offering best prices for those who renew by first deadline on March 5, 2011, and prices for early renewals are guaranteed whatever the club's divisional status.

More than 21,000 fans bought season tickets for the current campaign, and extra seats added to every stand last summer meant that the 26,315 who crammed in to watch last weekend's 1-1 draw with Leeds was a new all-seater stadium record attendance – and the highest at Carrow Road since 1989.

Manager Paul Lambert said: 'It's been an absolute privilege to be here and to witness first-hand the brilliant Norwich City supporters.

'I say every week how important they are and I mean it. They are vital to this club and nothing has diminished the view I've had since we arrived which is that they play an unbelievable part in helping us.

Everything supporters need to know about how to renew their 2011-12 season ticket – or buy a new one – will be detailed in this year's 'We Are Norwich' season ticket presenter, which has been mailed out to every season ticket holder and member.

Season tickets are on sale now. You can renew or buy from the Ticket Offices at Carrow Road and The Mall, by calling 0844 826 1902 or online by visiting www.canaries.co.uk.