Town have responded to criticism of the decision to prohibit fans aged under five from the lower tiers of Portman Road’s stands for safety reasons from next season.
A number of supporters reacted angrily to the move, which was announced yesterday, with several threads started on the TWTD forum with some posters concerned that they would have to pay an additional £110 per adult season ticket for upper tier seats.
However, Town media manager Steve Pearce told TWTD: "We have written to everyone concerned [along with their season ticket renewal packs] asking them to speak to the Ticket Office on an individual basis and in most cases the club will honour the price that they would have paid in the lower tier for next season. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits.
"The club has had situations where babies have been brought into the lower tier of stands this season, leading to safety concerns.
"After consultation with safety bodies it was decided that under five should be the cut-off point. More people are hurt by footballs flying into the crowd than anything else on a match day and there have been incidents where children have been hurt this season.”
Those season ticket holders affected by the move are asked to call the Ticket Office helpline on 03330 05 0503.
There are currently 76 season tickets registered to fans aged under five (meaning those aged four and below) in the stadium as a whole, while a number of those aren’t used having been bought as ‘symbolic’ gifts with under-11 season tickets costing £10.
Some other clubs are understood to take a similar approach to Town regarding housing younger fans in upper tiers.