Relegated Dover leave fans unhappy after revealing cost of new season ticket prices

Relegated Dover Athletic leave fans unhappy after revealing the cost of their new season ticket prices for the 2022/23 season.

The club will be competing in the National League South for the first time since 2014, with the Kent outfit currently sitting on 0 points from 38 played (-12 points).

During the 2020–21 season, the team only played 15 fixtures, with none played after 30 January 2021, due to staff being furloughed because of the costs associated with the pandemic.

As a result, the club had all of its results expunged in March and was fined £40,000.

In addition, the club was handed a 12-point deduction for the 2021–22 season and fined £40,000 by the National League.

As of May 2021, the club had released all but four players, who were reduced from full to part-time.

The 2021–22 season saw Dover start with the points deduction and after picking up only eight points in 33 matches, a 2–0 home defeat to Yeovil Town saw Dover relegated after eight seasons in the top flight of non league football. 

CLUB STATEMENT:

We are delighted to release our season ticket prices for our 2022/23 National League South campaign … and they are on sale NOW!

Prices are:

Season ticket prices 

Early Bird Offer (must be purchased before June 30th)

Adults £250

Over 60s £214

After June 30th

Adult £331

Over 60s £290

Pay on the gate

Adult £16
Over 60 £14
Under 18 £8

We are also able to confirm that under-18 season tickets are also now on sale for £50

Under-11s will continue to get in for free with a paying adult for all league games at Crabble.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “The board has given very careful consideration to the pricing of the season tickets for next season as well taking into account tough financial times the country faces.

“We have tried to reward the loyalty of season ticket holders whilst still maintaining a viable and competitive football club.

“The price structure means that season ticket holders, who take advantage of the Early Bird offers, will be able to watch us at Crabble next season for £10.86 (Adult) and £9.30 (Over 60).

“Season ticket holders will also continue to save the charge for entering the seated stands.

“I would like to have done more, but mindful of the struggle to keep the club solvent and debt-free over the last two years it is important we maintain that position, whilst fielding a competitive team for the exciting season ahead.”

All season tickets can be purchased by the following options:

• You can buy online HERE
• Call the club office on 01304 822373 (option 2) to pay by card
• Head up to the club office at Crabble between 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday) or on matchdays

Tickets are on sale now so support your club and renew your season or buy one today!

– STATEMENT ENDS –

As mentioned, relegated Dover leave some fans unhappy after revealing the cost of their new season ticket prices…

@PunkDavy: He moans about fans and how he wants to draw them back. Charges them £16 a game to watch a team that has been well bellow standards the past 2 years. Then to throw insult into injury he charges the same fans £9 less than he did last year on a season ticket after the early bird. What a way to win back the fans 👏 bravo Jim bravo 👏

@RussWWFC: Well overpriced IMO, though I doubt you’ll be the only ones tbf

@DavidMatthews6: That’s scandalous.

@meursault_FTL: halve the turnstile prices and you’ll double the attendance, which will in turn double the income from food, drinks etc, vastly improve the atmosphere and result in improved home form, I will never pay £16 for NLS football

@markunderwood9: Christ,and I thought #cafc was a bit trumpy.

@jane36london: £8 for 11-17 year olds is amongst the highest for those ages for NLS football. Maybe there are going to be family bundle prices or matches with special ticket offers?

@Nottscountydan: £276 for mine at @Official_NCFC where our stands actually have roofs

@PalaceElite: £249 at West Ham plus a £20 voucher for sex toys 😉

@SafetySouthEast: No thanks!

@bibster541: Not cheap is it 🙄

@andy_lucey: For £90 more you can get a premier league one at Leeds, Palace, Southampton, Everton……

@GloverKevin: Hello Kings Lynn Town II

@awlshw: £331 for an adult season ticket to watch Conference South football next season. Are you taking the piss @DoverAthletic

It’s the £331 which is baffling, that should not be a price being offered at all. I know the vast majority go for the early bird but £331 for a full price season ticket is madness

— Alex (@awlshw) April 21, 2022

pic.twitter.com/1XzCwLmrz3

— South Coast Palace (@CoastalPalace) April 22, 2022

Steve Hubbard: Wow! For conference football 😳

Phil Smith: Doing all they can to attract a wider audience lol 😂

Derek Stroud: Woking early bird price £199 in the league above? Speaks volumes!

Paul Pattison: Yeah, good luck with that

Lee Sansum: In a town where many people work shifts this just isn’t good enough! If Deal Town can sort a loyalty scheme to work for these types of people how can Dover Athletic not have the means to offer our supporters such a scheme? The club would get more support if they listened to their supporters on these matters, instead of coming up with excuses every season as to why they can’t accommodate such a scheme.

Alex Wilshaw: Although there is the early bird option of £250, it’s ridiculous that a season ticket price of £331 is even considered an option. That’s £14.39 per game so you’re only saving £1.61 a game compared to paying full price of £16 on the day.