‘Do I pay my energy bills or buy a season ticket?’ The stark reality facing some Bristol City fans

BristolWorld fan columnist Ian Gay assess the cost of living situation and whether it is reasonable to buy a season ticket with Bristol City for next season
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Bristol City started selling season tickets earlier this month and in all fairness, given the current rampant UK rate of inflation, the slight price increase might seem reasonable at first glance.

No one likes paying more, however, and as fans we’ll expect City to strengthen the team in this summer window and that money can’t just come from Steve Lansdown’s substantial wealth with the owner unable to invest unlimited amounts due to Profitability and Sustainability rules.

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Fans would also like to see us hang on to our better players, particularly promising youngsters in Han-Noah Massengo, Alex Scott & Antoine Semenyo. Notwithstanding that, in my opinion we could face a greater threat in losing Andreas Weimman, Tomas Kalas or Daniel Bentley.

The issue for many people won’t be that small increase and people that were going to renew, probably still will, however, the additional costs of attending Ashton Gate are considerable with some fans making a 300-mile round trip to see a home game on a Saturday with Fuel at £7 per gallon.

In my row in the Dolman, I travel from Devon & three others from Hungerford & Reading. I’m not even going to take our away fans into consideration albeit the ST status ensure first options on away ticket sales with priority given, quite rightly to away followers

Parking around the ground averages £10pg as people seek to monetise what had been free for years. That adds £230pa to the Season Ticket. We hear the Council are “considering” free parking but that’s yet to be agreed.

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The “matchday experience” encompasses eating & drinking so, on an average per person basis, let’s call that £20 each or £80 for a “nuclear” family of four with Mum, Dad & Two Kids.

So, in the Centre Lansdown that family with two children U12 would pay £1,610 or £70pg.Add Parking at £230pa Fuel & Food at say, £50/60pg & the cost could easily top £3kpa!

The UK Cost of living crisis will definitely mean people have to prioritise their spending.

Do I pay my energy bills, have a holiday or buy a season ticket? This will certainly apply to those with young families & retired fans living on a pension only. Whilst payment can be spread, it still has to be made eventually.

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In terms of performances, well, let’s be honest, it hasn’t been much of a season, City sit 19th in the Championship & that would be 20th without Derby’s points deduction. Without that, City would be only ten points clear of relegation with six games to go.

Last season we finished 19th on 51 points-another dreadful, injury ravaged season with much of it behind closed doors.

Can we expect better next season?

Nothing I see or hear at Ashton Gate at present would lead me to that conclusion. Surely, more of the same is the most likely outcome unless there is considerable change which, without selling the crown jewels, you’d have to ask if we can afford that change.

I’d also ask City Supporters to explain what exactly will make things improve?

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A total of 3,000 ST Holders left last season, 1.7k were long term holders, even with the Post Covid Bounce when we could all get back in and watch after lockdown.

We have around 13/14k ST’s at present and I will be surprised if we hit more than 10k in 22/23.

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