Town have defended their decision to charge home matchday mascots more than £200 from the start of the new season.

Previously, Junior Blues were entered into a monthly ballot to win the chance to lead the team out ahead of matches at Portman Road with the only charge the cost of a home kit and membership of the Junior Blues, around £55 in total.

But now, instead of the ballot, the club is making mascot places available for each game at a cost of £225 (or £200 to Junior Blues) on a first-come, first-served basis. The announcement of the change led to a lengthy thread on the TWTD forum.

Club media manager Steve Pearce told TWTD: “Most clubs have operated a mascot package for many years. We have decided to follow suit this year because we couldn’t keep up with the demand of being a mascot on matchday. It’s a unique experience and we felt it was the right time to make a change.

"“The price of £200 for Junior Blues and £225 for non-Junior Blues includes four match tickets and a full home kit, as well as the experience of meeting the players and manager in the dressing room before the game, leading the team out and taking part in the official photograph with the skippers and match officials before kick-off, as well as many other incentives.

"“We have researched the prices set by other clubs for their mascot packages and as well as being one of the last clubs to set a fee for the experience, we are also offering a package that is cheaper than most clubs - far cheaper in some cases.

"“However, we do realise that £200 is beyond the budget of some so we have added to our Fly the Flag experience, which sees our younger fans having the opportunity to meet the players before the game and be out on the pitch forming a guard of honour for the teams when they come out of the tunnel.

“It proved to be very popular last season with most games seeing 12 young fans flying the flag for Town and we have already had a lot of interest for this season, with the price at £25.”

We understand that if a mascot already has the home kit the club will supply an away or goalkeeper’s strip instead, while ballots will continue for mascot places at away games. Contact the club via juniorblues@itfc.co.uk to register interest regarding a particular fixture.

Full details of how to apply for a place as a mascot at a home game here, while further details and Fly the Flag information can be found here.

Photo: Action Images

hoppy added 18:44 - Jul 24 So they're recognising and making alternative options for those that already have the new home kit. Have they made any comment regarding the included match tickets, given a large number of those likely to be buying one of these packages will already have season tickets, so would be paying for 4 extra match tickets that they wouldn't need?
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Suffolk_n_Good added 18:47 - Jul 24 O dear, when will the club learn..... This is just another example of the club discouraging the new generation of fans..... No doubt, some will bleet on about if you don't like it your not forced to buy it, but in my opinion, it's an own goal, such a shame....
9

mickeyjb added 18:50 - Jul 24 Sorry but this is wrong! So the select few can now have their son/daughter be a mascot. My son was selected to be a mascot for Pompey a few years back when they was in the championship and it cost me......Nothing! Two free tickets and the loan of a kit if he didn't have one.
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flimflam added 18:58 - Jul 24 So just because other clubs are doing it we have to? That dont wash with me. Feel the club has messed up on this one and agree that the less well off will now have the chance to be a mascot taken away from them.
10

taximan added 19:03 - Jul 24 i think the club should give everything away for nothing, matchday tickets, season tickets, mascot experiences, replica kits etc etc
4

Plums added 19:04 - Jul 24 So we race to the bottom instead of being an exemplar and not charging for this. Sad.
5

Burwell_Blue added 19:05 - Jul 24 Seems fair to me. Four tickets and a visit to the changing rooms pre-game? Bargain.
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flimflam added 19:08 - Jul 24 I always thought that the mascots were a treat for the younger supporters as they are the future of the club. The amount it raises is peanuts in the grand scheme of things so not sure why they need to use it as a money making scheme.
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TooleyBlue added 19:19 - Jul 24 This is truly shocking. My son had a great day as mascot but this would have denied him the experience. Are they aware that a season ticket for a junior is less money than a mascot day. Really?!!!! If we really are a family club we'll see a change of heart. Here's hoping.
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Sibelius8 added 19:22 - Jul 24 OK. All this does make "commercial" sense. But how about offering a free, less advantaged, lad or lass an opportunity to be an extra Mascot for the day alongside those whose parents can pay this higher fee? Cost to the club = minimal. Gain to the club = a devoted young fan (and their extended family will be drawn in without doubt) and a benevolent and worthy connection with your "customers" that money alone cannot buy - i.e. a very good PR idea. Simple.

9

Cakeman added 19:28 - Jul 24 Just a predictable money making scheme. Will they be charging the ball boys and girls next?
3

HadleighBlue added 19:32 - Jul 24 Just how cheapskate can ITFC stoop to? We surely should be doing everything we can to encourage the youngsters of Suffolk and area to support the Town. I would much prefer that the club 'give' blocks of tickets to local schools, clubs, cub packs etc etc to recognise achievement in whatever field and to encourage them to support what has been, and no reason why it shouldn't get there again, the greatest club for many miles. Surely not too late for the club to reconsider?

5

werringtonblue added 19:34 - Jul 24 @Suffolk n Good - the club discouraging the new generation of fans? Of course it would be nice for everything to be in the reach of every fan - but sadly, Sky money and the ridiculous finances of football that trickles down mean everything is a commercial matter. But please get the balance right - I take my niece to football as an under 11 for £10 for the whole season - think they are doing a grand job of encouraging the next generation with that pricing policy. PS - I have a duty here as my sister's partner is Spurs and I can't allow her to follow that route.

1

ElderGrizzly added 19:34 - Jul 24 I realise i started some of this discussion today and a few points have been missed by the club. I was never begrudging the club charging as i've made very clear especially as i've bought one previously, but we are now the only club in the league without a 'free option' for home game mascots. That doesn't sit very well for me, that's all. The fly the flag thing is not relevant at all and is just a deflection by the club, while raising the cost of that by around 70% this year too.

4

alpblue added 19:36 - Jul 24 Disgrace, do they forget we are still just a championship club who struggle to fill seats most games. This experience is cheaper at some PL teams including west ham who most of my family support, the hard choice does my boy follow me and the town or go with other family members where its cheaper. Poor move town poor move!!
8

brazil1982 added 19:37 - Jul 24 It's shocking clubs charge at all. Just have a ballot among Junior Blues for a free day...
7

Pip50 added 19:38 - Jul 24 LOL....... Sponge is getting dry.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 19:49 - Jul 24 Your entitled to you opinion werringtonblue, but you won't change my opinion, & the opinion of most judging by the comments so far, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth, the club cannot possibly be doing this for any other reason than greed.
5

ChestnutSe added 19:53 - Jul 24 This is a terrible idea and an absolute disgrace. It should be by free ballot amongst the Junior Blues. What idiot at the club thought this was a good idea? Perhaps they had a brainstorming session on how to make sure the youngsters don't grow up supporting Town. Brainless
5

runningout added 19:57 - Jul 24 Shocking,,, would be interested what the players think''' it stinks in my pitiful opinion
5

ElderGrizzly added 19:58 - Jul 24 Should also point out, the most they will raise from this is £30k a season. So, given our revenue of £14m is rather a pittance. If they wanted to raise £30k, much easier and less alienating ways to do it
4

muccletonjoe added 19:59 - Jul 24 Daft idea, completely shot the whole club in the foot
4

spiegal added 20:04 - Jul 24 Of course its a "Family Club"...truly values the supporters....My A**e !! ..r.i.p Mr John....still waiting to hear how we will spend the Mings money....I hear hollow sounds....The investment for the new campaign...not a lot !!....next charge will be for breathing in "Club Air" on a match day...they really don't get the whole feeling of what was a great club.
2

jas0999 added 20:07 - Jul 24 I assume this extra revenue will be re-invested into the playing squad, along with the additional season ticket sales, tv revenue, merchandise and ticket sales from last season. Along of course with the wages saved from 13 players leaving and the £8M from the Mings sale? Hmmmm, thought not. What I'm seeing at the moment is Evans finding new ways of charging/fleecing the fans. He is happy to increase season ticket prices (plus the extra £2 per ticket on the play off game last season), charge hard working families for being a mascot etc etc. I'm not seeing him re invest too much into the playing squad. Very little this season to be fair. Just two permanent players. One of which is likely to be very cheap.

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werringtonblue added 20:19 - Jul 24 As i said, it would be nice for everything to be in the reach of every fan - where does this ever happen? I can see why the club are doing this. 4 tickets and a home kit included in the price is pretty good in my view (unless the party already has season tickets and the kit) but I suspect most kids going as mascot will love to have their parents, grandparents, uncles & aunts, cousins etc. who can use those 4 tickets. Nothing is perfect, but I ask for balance - how is £10 for a season ticket not a great way to encourage the next generation of fans?

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