Sants have just announced the prices for the FA Cup 3rd round with Blackpool.

Although the official club website announces that this is a reduced rate, its not by much and at £20 for adults, £15 for seniors and 17-21 year olds and £10 for kids its not a cheap day out, it may well be that we attracted the largest crowd in rounds 1 & 2 as the website proudly boasts, but that wont be the case this time around at whatever price.

Of course Saints have to agree a price with the Seasiders and it may be they wanted normal prices, however this tie comes right in the middle of three home league games in 18 days and right on the back of Xmas its going to be a step too far money wise for many supporters especially families, these things being equal, to have such a high price seems folly.

Add to that the fact that Ian Holloway has fielded weakened teams in league games  let alone cup outings and Saints supporter could find themselves shelling out to watch Blackpool reserves

The proof of the pudding with cup ticket prices is the attendance and the two so far this term in the FA Cup have been well below our previous worst gate by a considerable amount and its hard to see this gate being much better.

As I have said before I want there to be a packed St Mary's not an empty atmosphere ground, but I dont feel that the Club is really marketing this game to the fans in any way shape or form and that includes the pricing.

Of course Im sure those who have set the prices will point out that although there are a lot of home games in succession, for 14,000 season ticket holders those games were paid for a long time ago and therefore shelling out £20 to see Blackpool shouldnt be too much hardship, all will be revealed on January 8th.

Photo: Action Images

eusebio added 15:56 - Dec 7 No
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cocklebreath added 17:48 - Dec 7 No
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ourkid1984 added 18:21 - Dec 7 No I don't think its too expensive and I think you explained why it's at that price, because of an agreement with Blackpool. We may be able to have more control over smaller league 2 clubs but not a premier league club. Imagine what it would of been if it was a team like Chelsea, Man u, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham or Man city. Will I be going? No I doubt it as I feel the league games are more important and this is a game where more of the day trippers will be in force to make up for people who feel the same as me who won't go. My predictions for the attendance will be about 28-30k I reckon.

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geezershoong added 18:46 - Dec 7 No, I personally feel it''s not too expensive. We have no idea how much Blackpool wanted to charge so it's pretty much idle speculation. 28 - 30K ourkid1984? Very optimistic bordering on the crazzee ;)
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ourkid1984 added 19:00 - Dec 7 As I know geezershoong has realised that what I said (re 28-30k) was tongue in cheek I will now applogise for my very dry sense of humour...
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ChesterPerry added 19:10 - Dec 7 Yes overpiced by £5
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mg2104 added 20:16 - Dec 7 Nick - I'm not normally one to disagree with your attendance 'rants' or anything referring to attendance/pricing but in this instance I think it's best not to plant the seed in people's heads. A proportion of the fanbase will have thought more about the added prestige of it being a 3rd round game, in the cup against a Prem team and as a result will overlook the prices. To mention it as being overpriced prompts similar thoughts/sentiments amongst the fans as yours. More importantly, we are the wrong audience. Some of us may or may not agree with the pricing but at the end of the day there is very little we fans can do about it through this medium. The club will not take note of this as part of an article, it needs to be communicated through the appropriate channels do you not think? I'm partly saying this because I saw no problems with the prices until I read this article but now I am too thinking it's overpriced and if I wasn't such an addict, this article might have swayed me from going! I would not be the only one.

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1teeminants added 22:53 - Dec 7 No Blackpool are a premier league club regardless of the team they put out. It's not too expensive.
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alanelliott added 23:00 - Dec 7 Nick, I agree with your article. Why were SFC satisfied with their low crowd in round 2 ? Surely they should be attempting to fill the stadium !! I have two lads (all s/t holders) and this will cost me £45.00. I doubt we'll go and yet we are massive fans. The tickets are over priced easily by £5.00. £30 would be sensible and would ensure that more families go hence a high attendance. I'm certainly not losing interest in the FA Cup but my 2 lads are, thanks yet again to SFC's bizarre marketing strategy. I appreciate that prices have to be agreed between the two clubs, but the loyal and fans of the future are being priced out of the game !! Rant over.

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SonicBoom added 10:26 - Dec 8 This is indeed the wrong audience. Most fans on this site go to games fairly regularly so constantly going on about attendance is pointless. It's £20. Go or don't go. Over time the club will realise it's overpriced and change it, or they will stick to their guns and assume that is the level of support in the fanbase.
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Zambucco added 11:36 - Dec 8 I was hoping for a bigger reduction, but I'm still happy to pay £20 to watch my team play. I would hope that Blackpool although not a glamorous Premier team, will swell the crowd to a respectable size. After following Saints to Wembley in 1976 watching every single game home and away. I would hate them to succeed again and for me to miss any of the matches involved. That's why I'll always watch every game possible, no matter who the opposition. No I'm not wealthy, I'm struggling like mad. But I forego the few pints before the game and the take away after a small sacrifice to watch my team.

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Capt_Koons added 12:47 - Dec 8 Yes, way over priced. This is Blackpool ffs. And aside from what league they're in are a smaller club than ourselves and thus not a great draw. But the proof is in the pudding, less than 19k will prove over priced. More than wwill prove astute pricing.
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jonrog added 15:09 - Dec 8 I don't really have a view about the price, what hacks me off, as season ticket holder, is not being able to get my normal seat.
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