Terras offer ticket options

The Terras' boss has been working flat out to secure a fantastic squad for the 2008-09 campaign and now he is hoping the local community will do their bit by taking advantage of the new ticket offers at the Wessex Stadium.

The Blue Square Premier outfit unveiled its price plan on its new-look website that went live at midnight yesterday and although some matchday prices have risen by £1, and the age of concession has been increased from over-60s to over-65s, a lot has been done to attract a broader fan base.

All children under the age of seven accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge, a new family ticket and family centre in the main stand has been introduced, and there is also now the opportunity for supporters to pay for their season-tickets over a ten-month period.

Hollins said: "Everybody at the football club, from top to bottom, worked extremely hard to make sure that our Blue Square Premier status was secured. That was our first goal and together we managed to achieve it.

"We are now working flat out to secure a fantastic squad for the new season and we promise to deliver some exciting football that will make WFC a club that we can all be proud of moving forwards.

"Our support has been good so far in 2008 but we need even more people to turn out and get behind us to help make sure the forthcoming season is one to remember for all the right reasons."

Free away shirts are the incentive for the Refer a Friend' scheme that has also been set up and chairman Malcolm Curtis is optimistic that all the new initiatives passed by the board in conjunction with the Terras Trust and Supporters' Club will help the non-League outfit move forward.

He said: "While aiming to keep any changes to the pricing structure as low as possible, the club can now offer a whole host of new packages to allow as many fans as possible to get behind the Terras in what is an important year for the club.

"By giving fans more choice, we are giving the club the ability to attract more supporters through the turnstiles by opening up a wider range of ticket options.

"Having slightly increased some of the ticket prices, by no means are we at the expensive end of the league and our ticket structure offers fantastic value for money.

"By implementing these changes, the club is also recognising the need to be competitive.

"Last year we all realised how difficult this division can be and how becoming more competitive has financial implications.

"The Wessex is not the most economically efficient stadium and given that we are one of the few clubs who have not changed ticket prices for the last two years, it was necessary to make a few changes.

"This puts us in line with the other teams in our division while giving our fans options to support their club."

Curtis added: "For supporters who purchase tickets before June 15, the club will be running an Early Bird' discount. Buying a season ticket will already save supporters ten per cent on purchasing individual tickets over the course of the season but those who take advantage of the Early Bird tickets will save a further ten per cent.

"This is in addition to all our various concessions for groups such as the under-16s and students.

"On top of this we have also introduced a Refer a Friend' scheme. Any supporters who introduce a friend to a season ticket will be sent a new away shirt for the season. Not only that but the club will also send their friend one too.

"All supporters have to do is simply refer someone who wasn't a season ticket holder last year, and when they purchase a season ticket for this year, the club will dispatch two new shirts to them.

"A new Season Ticket Finance scheme has also been set up to help fans to spread the payment of their season ticket over ten monthly instalments. The scheme is run by Zebra Finance and the club will deal with all the arrangements on your behalf.

"Families are another important part of the Terras community and for the first time we are launching new family tickets, offering special rates for families of four on both season tickets and individual matches. We have also allocated a new family area in the stadium, specifically designed for this purpose.

"Last season we also kept saying how we must do more to attract new supporters, so not only have we held the prices of junior tickets but we have also introduced a fantastic new offer, admitting under-7s for free when accompanied by an adult.

"Another thing that is being introduced is the exclusive Premier Lounge tickets. With this option, supporters will be allocated seats in the premier stand and stadium parking, as well as complimentary programmes, teas, coffees and warm snacks in the Premier Lounge area prior to the game and at half-time."

When asked why concessions for seniors have risen from 60 to 65, Curtis said: "The club decided that a concession age of 60 was inconsistent both with standard practice and with other clubs in the division.

"This was putting WFC at a competitive disadvantage so the club has decided to ensure that the entitlement age for concessions as a senior citizen is positioned accordingly at 65 years-old."

Car parking has also increased from £1 to £2 but the price for a programme has been frozen.

Curtis added: "We have tried to give as many options for fans to attend as many games as possible for next season, and to involve as many different supporters as we can.

"Apart from helping the club financially, getting as many supporters into the stadium will be hugely beneficial to the team and will help the club to become increasingly competitive in the Blue Square Premier.

"Towards the end of last season we saw what a fantastic effect our supporters can have in driving the team on. With that continued support and with John and Alan Lewer at the helm, I am convinced that the club is moving in the right direction and the forthcoming season will be a successful one for the Terras."

2008-09 Ticket Prices, Season Ticket, Early Bird' Terrace (single payment): Adult £258, Concessions over 65 £166, Family (of four) £552, Under-16 £92, Student £166.

Early Bird' Stand (single payment): Adult £295, Concessions over 65 £203, Family £626, Under-16 £129, Student £203.

Season Ticket prices after 5pm on June 15, Terrace (single payment): Adult £290, Concessions over 65 £187, Family (of four) £621, Under-16 £104, Student £187.

Stand (single payment): Adult £332, Concessions over 65 £228, Family (of four) £704, Under-16 £145, Student £228.

Matchday Prices, Terrace: Adult £14, Concessions over 65 £9, Family (of four) £30, Student £9, Child £5, Under-7 free entry.

Stand: Adult £16, Concessions over 65 £11, Family (of four) £36, Student £11, Child £6, Under-7 free entry.

* To find out more details on Premier Lounge Tickets and the club's new price plan visit theterras.co.uk or call the club on 01305 785558.

* Weymouth are in talks with a major company about becoming their main sponsor.

Club officials are hopeful a deal can be struck in the next ten days.