CORK CITY fans have expressed their concern at the club’s ticket prices.
The Friends of the Rebel Army Society (FORAS) said that at its AGM members had unanimously supported a motion calling on the Trust to issue ‘a statement of concern’
It said that at €25 for adults, €18 for teenagers and seniors, and €10 for under-13s matchda tickets are the most expensive across the League of Ireland.
Last season, when City won the First Division title to win promotion, the corresponding tickets cost €15, €10 and €5.
The statement added: “FORAS acknowledged the fairer price set for renewing Season Ticket holders.
“However expectations around promotional discounts, arising from a meeting between the club and the Board of FORAS in November 2024, and also from comments made on the club’s own podcast, have not been met.
“Specifically, it was suggested that a five match “flexi ticket” was to be introduced which would offer better value than buying five individual match tickets separately.
“In an update circulated to FORAS members – the wording of which was agreed by Cork City FC – it was said that “The five game package is not tied to specific matches or the next five home games, but can be redeemed against any five matches of the holder’s choice.”
“Since then, the arrangement surrounding this five match pass has changed, and now only permits the ticketholder to attend five consecutive fixtures, with no flexibility,”
The statement further took issue with comments from club owner Dermot Usher in a media interview.
In it he said “I believe the pricing is fair. If you haven’t been buying a season ticket and have been dipping in and dipping out … I do not have a huge amount of sympathy.
“If you want to rock up on a Friday night once a month or once every six months that’s fine, but the price will be €25.
“I can’t build a business or a club around what people can’t afford to pay. I am sympathetic and empathetic towards people who maybe might not have a huge amount of money and would love to come to a game but we’ve also said that if you can’t afford to come to a game, come and volunteer.”
The statement pointed out that the 5,031 attendance for their season opener against Galway United was lower than their first fixture in last season’s First Division, against Kerry.
For their first Premier Division match in 2023, 6,487 were at Turner’s Cross to see them take on Bohemians, meaning there has been a 22 percent drop.
The statement added: “We believe the disproportionate increases introduced this season are short-sighted, particularly for juveniles and children, and run the risk of losing the supporters of tomorrow who will be prevented from establishing a habit of regularly attending a game due to the expense involved.
“FORAS calls on Cork City FC to reconsider its pricing structure, and reflect on the manner with which it addresses legitimate supporter concern.”
