The Ipswich Town Independent Supporters Trust says the club risk missing out on a generation of fans due to the cost of matchday tickets.
Around 600 supporters responded to a recent Trust survey with almost half stating that "high matchday ticket prices” were a very important factor in putting them off attending games at Portman Road. Amongst those aged 30 and under that figure rose to more than 50 per cent.
For Grade A matches the cheapest adult seat costs £32, while a similar Grade B ticket is £27.50 and Grade C £21. Tickets purchased at a game are subject to a £2.50 additional charge.
Asked to name what they felt was a fair price for admission, the majority of respondents to the survey said £25 or lower.
Fans were also unhappy with the prices charged to away fans, with 90 per cent rating £32.50 — the lowest-priced seat purchased ahead of a Grade B game in the visitors’ section — as "poor” or "very poor”.
Supporters were also critical of "the ease of getting ticket information” this season with 33 per cent believing it was "poor” or "very poor”, while 43 per cent answered "poor” or "very poor” to the question "how easy has it been to buy a ticket on a matchday?”.
This summer’s controversial closure of the ticket office and ending of telephone sales was seen as significant by 26 per cent of respondents, who felt it was "very important”, however, 30 per cent believed it "does not matter”.
Alasdair Ross, the Trust’s chair, said: "This survey highlights what the club needs to do to make sure that the next generation of supporters get into the habit of spending their Saturday afternoons at Portman Road.
"Lower prices, more offers and promotions, and making it as easy as possible to get tickets, are all factors which will attract younger fans.
"We were pleased to discuss these results with the club at a recent fans’ forum, and look forward to working with the club further in identifying what should be done in response to the findings.”
Survey respondents had praise for the club’s season ticket prices, which were frozen for the third year running ahead of 2013/14, with 75 per cent of season ticket holders believing they pay a "fair price” for their seat. You can read more on the Trust’s survey on their website.
Meanwhile, the club are planning ticket promotions during the remaining months of the season with a £5 discount on seats for the Wigan fixture for those attending the Birmingham match having been announced yesterday.
Club spokesman Steve Pearce said: "While protecting the value of a season ticket we are constantly looking at promotions for matchday tickets.
"We had 'kids for a quid' against Leicester and discounted tickets for the Barnsley game, while plans are being put in place for a number of ticket promotions for the remainder of the season.”