NEWCASTLE United are trying to encourage more families into St James’ Park on Mothering Sunday with a deal that ranks as one of the cheapest in the Premier League.
The club are offering a £50 ‘family’ ticket to their next home game against Stoke City, which will guarantee two adults and two juniors seats for the game.
It is their latest attempt to try and get supporters back to games, and coincides with the club being named as the cheapest day out in the Premier League in a recent independent BBC survey.
United’s aim is to try and make football more affordable for the family and this ticket initiative is also aimed at avoiding a commitment clash for supporters on a traditional family day.
The game had to be moved to Mothering Sunday because the team face Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday evening in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.
The team’s fortunes have revived recently and manager Alan Pardew is keen to see a full stadium a week on Sunday as they return from their latest Europa League engagement in Russia.
He said: “With our European commitments next week, we were aware that the game was moving to Mother’s Day so it’s great that the club has recognised the significance of the day and moved to make it an affordable day out for families.
“The club is so important to so many people in this city and a match is probably more of a family-orientated day out here than it is anywhere else in the country.
“We hope as many families as possible are able to come along to the game and fingers crossed we can send them home happy once again.”
Recent controversy over Premier League prices has seen Manchester City supporters boycott an away game at Arsenal in protest at ticket prices that cost £62.
Newcastle, however, have signaled their intention to try and make match-days more affordable.
The club are proud of a recent BBC survey that pitched their match day “cost” at around £23, some £100 cheaper than some of their Premier League rivals.
In a recent interview with the Journal, Derek Llambias said that encouraging more families into the ground was a priority for the club.
“This is why our family area is so important to us – level 7. In five or six years those guys will be working, they’ll come in and be supporters for life.
“We’re up there with the cheapest day experience. We get criticised for the price of our beer our food in the concourse, saying it's too expensive.
“Regular surveys go out and we do take it on board. We have to work on it – we’re a work-in-progress. We have to work on it all.”
The offer is only open to club members.
Those interested in buying a family ticket, call the Club’s Box Office on 0844 372 1892, or call in at the St. James’ Park or Metrocentre club stores.
