OXVOX News - Issue 3

Season tickets – discussion with OUFC
In an email on 4 May we asked
members to send us any
comments on the season ticket
pricing arrangements for 2022-3
announced by Oxford United. In
parallel we asked on Twitter for
approval ratings for the prices
and any further comments, which
attracted almost 250 replies,
two thirds of which were happy
with the pricing and one third
less than happy. We very much
appreciate the emails received
from some 55 of you expressing
your views. We’ll be getting
round to sending individual
replies to you in due course.
Each of your comments was
carefully read and key points
extracted by Trevor. He and
Janine Bailey of the Supporters
Panel (OUSP) collaboratively
put together a report to the club
which was sent to them on 10
May, OUSP having also received
supporter feedback. The report
contained some anonymised
extracts from the comments, to
illustrate the key points. Since
then we have received comment
and feedback from the club, and
dialogue continues.
Some key points from the report
sent to the club
• The £10 charge for a physical
season ticket was disliked by
many who commented, and
some viewed it as excessive
or a price increase ‘by stealth’.
Some families with juniors
were concerned that they
would have a charge of £10
per family member.
• The need for a smartphone
was raised and would, some
wrote, discriminate against
older fans and youngsters
who may be less likely to own
the technology.
• Many commented on
practical aspects of using
digital tickets. The need for
a comprehensive guide was
a common theme. Such a
guide would dispel some
concerns, for example the
false impression that a mobile
or wifi signal was required to
access the ticket.
• Aspects of the marketing
were criticised. A false
narrative of a price freeze had
emerged in local media. There
was a lack of information on
hospitality packages ie the
1893 club. Comments were
received that opportunities to
grow the season ticket base
were being missed and that a
means of an existing season
ticket holder introducing a
newcomer at a discount could
have been introduced.
• Concerns were raised about
group bookings adversely
affecting some season ticket
holders particularly in South
Stand Lower.
In response the club has noted a
number of points.
On pricing, the club did not
promote a ‘price freeze’
narrative. It seems to us that
whether an individual sees an
increase depends partly on
whether they are comparing last
year’s early bird price with this
year’s offer, and partly on some
price adjustments to some areas.
We thought a clearer comparison
of like with like across the two
seasons would have been helpful
to fans. A small increase was
acceptable to many.
The club is planning to issue a
full guide on the use of digital
tickets in the coming weeks,
which we warmly welcome. We
and OUSP have asked to review
the content before it is issued,
to ensure that all anticipated
concerns are dealt with. We
regret that it wasn’t discussed
earlier and made available with
the initial launch.
The club has confirmed that
there will be no change to the
£10 season ticket charge. We
would have preferred no charge
and no ticket as the default, with
the option to have a card being
available on request but without
the additional charge. Although
almost all adults under 55 in the
UK own a smartphone, only 65%
of over 65s use one (source:
statista.com). These older fans,
and juniors too young to have a
smartphone, are groups that will
need a physical card.
The club will also review the
operation of group booking
schemes and welcomes further
comment on this issue.
We have also established that
there will be fuller consultation
with OxVox and OUSP next year
before announcements are made.
About OxVox
We’re a non profit
making Supporters Trust,
run by fans, for fans,
with membership open
to all Oxford United
supporters everywhere!
We are wholly independent
of Oxford United Football
Club, but always seek positive
dialogue with the Club’s
owners, executive officers and
staff.
We operate on a democratic,
one member, one vote
principle with annual elections
and regular Committee
meetings.
We are committed to the
success of our Football
Club and having proactive
and mutually beneficial
communication with all
stakeholders, including
the local community, local
councils, relevant media, the
Club and other supporters
groups.
To find out more, or join us,
visit www.oxvox.org.uk
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