Vipers cut season ticket cost in bid to woo fans

Apr 23 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

NEWCASTLE Vipers have slashed season ticket prices by an average of 15% as they look to boost their fan base after a disappointing season.

The Vipers endured a difficult campaign, finishing seventh in the regular season before tumbling out of the play-offs in the quarter-finals to Coventry.

That prompted a complete overhaul of the roster, which will be supplemented by a radical pricing policy aimed at making the club more affordable to watch.

Once again the Vipers will stage their 24 home games at the Metro Radio Arena and the Whitley Bay Ice Rink, with the contests split equally between the two venues. There was some uncertainty about that because of rising rents for the venues.

But despite some apparent uncertainty, the club have put season tickets on sale ahead of a summer that promises many changes. The Vipers are looking to sell at least 500 season tickets to give them a chance of competing with their Elite league rivals next season.

“With the current economic climate, we understand that it can be difficult to spend hundreds of pounds in one go, so we have put together an instalment package to allow fans to spread the cost of their season ticket,” said general manager Jaimie Longmuir.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, when the club are holding a fans’ forum at the Gateshead Hilton at 7pm. The club’s recruitment drive is already under way.

“We are aiming to put together a team that fans want to come and watch week in, week out,” added Longmuir.

Season tickets can be purchased in person at the Vipers Shop on Shakespeare Street, Newcastle, by phone on (0191) 261-0909, or by mail by downloading the information pack from the club’s official web site at www.vipershockey.co.uk