Club statement: Ramsbottom United to increase prices for FC United match

We have been informed today (Monday 30 March 2015) that Ramsbottom United are increasing their prices for Saturday’s game against FC United from £9 and £4 to £10 and £5.

Ramsbottom only sent us the decision to charge an extra £1 today. The only previous contact with Ramsbottom about the arrangements for this match was on Thursday last week when they contacted us to ask if we could supply stewards for the match. Given Ramsbottom’s decision today to increase prices, we will not be assisting in providing stewards for this game.

We have tried this morning to persuade Ramsbottom to change their mind but they have refused. The ‘justification’ for the price increase is that £10 and £5 and segregation is what they did under Greater Manchester Police (GMP) advice for Stockport’s visit in the FA Trophy in November and not having to give change allows for quicker entry to the ground. They have had no such advice on this occasion.

FC club officials today spoke with the league and GMP but neither could help persuade Ramsbottom to change their mind nor have they any powers to do so.

FC United believes that it is unfair for Ramsbottom to penalise supporters, who are set to turn up in significant numbers, by charging them more than their usual admission price.

FC United officials have done all they can to persuade Ramsbottom not to increase their prices for Saturday’s match. It is a matter of great regret and huge disappointment that Ramsbottom have not responded positively to our requests to review this last-minute decision.