Town have announced a freeze on season ticket prices for the fourth successive year. Fans renewing their tickets will pay the same as they did last year regardless of which division Town are in for 2004/05, if they renew by May 28th - one day prior to a potential play-off appearance by the Blues.

The club launched their 2004/05 season ticket campaign on Tuesday morning at
a press conference given by chief executive Derek Bowden and director of commercial affairs Paul Clouting.

Bowden said the club was happy that season ticket prices will remain at their current level: "We're very pleased that we can yet again hold season ticket prices for what will be the fourth consecutive year for those who are renewing existing season tickets."

The campaign is being promoted under the banner 'Back the Young Guns', a theme that doesn't just refer to the likes of Dean Bowditch, Darren Bent, Ian Westlake and Matt Richards on the field.

In the stands, supporters under the age of 11 can watch the Blues for £57.50, the first time the club has run such a scheme. As last season under-16 and under-20 supporters will also receive discounts.

Paul Clouting says the under-11 initiative shows Town's commitment to the community: "The ticket will be available in all the family areas of the ground at £57.50, the equivalent of £2.50 a game in Division One.

"We as a football club have had a long tradition of supporting youth - everyone knows about the community scheme, how hard we work, and how many children and young people we come into contact with.

"We also recognise that if we get them early, hopefully, they will continue to follow this football club in the long term. It's all about building for the future.

"A key point is that it means that an adult season ticket holder and two new under-11 season ticket holders will be able to come and see a game of football at Portman Road for under £20, which we think is very affordable."

In addition to this the club plans to offer 'Kid for a Quid' schemes for games in the Carling Cup.

The club is also making available 272 five- and ten-year season tickets available, however, they are not debentures as had been reported. These tickets are only open to adult applicants paying the cash up front.

Town are also introducing guest ticket priority for season ticket holders for the first time this season. In previous years season ticket holders wanting to purchase a seat for a friend would have had to wait until they went on general sale. Now they get greater priority.

Season ticket holders will once again get preferential pricing for cup matches. This year tickets to a number of FA and Carling Cup matches were set at £12 for season ticket holders in the lower North and Greene King Stands with similar reductions elsewhere in the ground.

Individual matchday prices are not subject to the price freeze with the on-the-day price of an adult ticket in the North Stand up to £22 from £20. Pre-match purchase for a similar ticket is up to £20 from this year's £19.

The club will continue to run its Gold and Silver club schemes, £12.50 and £15 respectively, while a new Black club is also being introduced for season ticket holders at a cost of £15 plus two from a number of options at discounted prices, for example Ipswich World at £5 or a programme subscription at £50.

Overseas supporters have a separate membership scheme costing £50 including Ipswich World and reserved tickets.

Ticket priority will remain the same as this season, with the club planning to use the scheme introduced for the Norwich game for particularly popular away games.

For the derby at Carrow Road the club sent those supporters who had attended a large number of away games letters informing them that they would get first option on tickets, the identities of those fans having been obtained through the Ticket Office database.

The club will again be running the Away Match Passport scheme, as well as a Home Match Passport which will guarantee 50 supporters a ticket to every Portman Road game at the season but in varying positions around the ground.

Season ticket brochures will start to go out by post over the weekend and should arrive within the next couple of weeks. The deadline for purchasing tickets at the cheapest rate is May 28th, just a day prior to the Division One play-off final, moved to the Saturday for this season to allow two extra free days for players involved in Euro 2004.

Last season the Blues had around 18,500 season ticket holders and the club will be looking to get as many renewals as possible, regardless of which division Town find themselves come August.

The club is once again asking supporters not to pay for their tickets by credit card if at all possible. In recent years some banks that issue credit cards have been holding back payments to football clubs, releasing them in small amounts throughout the season.

Last year's standing order scheme was considered an administrative nightmare by Town and so this year they are running a different initiative via three cheques in May, July and September.

The club is introducing online away ticketing and club memberships for the first time, home tickets having been made available electronically this season.

How much cash Joe Royle might have to spend over the summer is dependent on season ticket sales, as well as which division the Blues are in for 2004/05.

Should the Blues make it to the Premiership season tickets will be capped at 24,000 with a members' ballot being reintroduced for the remaining 3,000 home tickets.

With the 'Young Guns' very much at the centre of the club's marketing of season tickets, chairman David Sheepshanks says in a letter to go out to existing season ticket holders that the club is aiming to retain the services of the recent academy products: "We plan to retain all our young guns and see them starring for Ipswich Town next season. However, our ability to do that will, in part, be down to the number of you who renew or purchase season tickets. Next season - if in Division One - we will have no Premier League parachute payment and so we have to generate over 90% of our income ourselves."

Sheepshanks says that money-wise the club is moving forward: "Financially the club's situation is much improved and by far the strongest and most vital factor in our revival has been your support. You have stuck with us and seen us through and for that you all deserve the greatest credit, so on behalf of everyone who loves this special club, I want to wholeheartedly thank you."

Photo: Action Images

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