Kentish Football 
We have to make Ebbsfleet United a place supporters want to visit, says chairman Jessica McQueen
The Fleet lie in the bottom four in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South table with two wins and two draws from their opening nine league games and face a Barrow side that are one place below them with seven points (a win and four draws).
Kent’s only female football club chairman has published a statement on the club’s website www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk in a bid to attract more people to Stonebridge Road.
The club are the sixteenth best supported club in the division with average gates of 1,136, and McQueen acknowledged that fans cannot afford to pay the admission charges and therefore are forced to stay away.
She said: “Over past weeks I have seen several discussions around pricing of admission to matches at Stonebridge Road, mainly focusing on it being too expensive.
“For this of you who are regular supporters, you will be already aware that the price of adult admission was held at last years price £15.00. The concession price however was increased to £10.00.
“It had been felt for a long time that the difference between the two prices was an extremely big gap, with the adult price being more than twice as expensive. To try and counter this increase we introduced an excellent “Early Bird” season ticket price offer which lasted through the whole month of April.
“If you took advantage of the offer it meant that Concession prices for the terrace, would be £7.00 per match and the adult price £9.50, which is excellent value. We also decided to continue our policy of offering the concession price to over 60s rather than the over 65 policy, which is the norm at many other clubs. We also offer the concession price to students and teenagers if they show their relevant pass.
“Although not an Early Bird offer, the Teen Fleet season ticket, again offers great value at £92.00 for the season, giving an admission price of just £4.00 per match.
“For those supporters who regularly travel away with the team they will be only too aware that prices of admission vary around the county, but it is not unusual for the price of an adult admission to be £18.00.
“Whilst I am not suggesting we increase ours to that amount, we like all other clubs have to pay increased utility bills, rates and other costs. Whilst we would and do try to keep prices reduced where we can we also have to be realistic.
“In recent weeks we held the match against Luton on bank holiday Monday. We were instructed by the police that the game had to be segregated. This immediately means that the club lose much needed revenue on the bar and food takings.
“Whilst there was little we could do about the bar, we decided to prepare and sell food. A barbeque was set up, cold drinks and tea and coffee served from the programme hut. Many willing helpers were dragged in and although it was hard work, managed to feed and water the Luton Town fans.
“Compare this to how our supporters were treated at Hereford. They were charged £18.00 admission and then could buy either a sausage roll or pie, no burgers, etc. The same thing happened at Lincoln, admission £18.00 and three cups of tea almost cost £6.00.
“Now I’m not criticising the other clubs, we all do what we do, but please next time you are criticising Ebbsfleet United Football Club about its pricing policy and doing it so publicly on forums or the like, just take time to think.
“If we reduce admission prices, will it really bring in lots more supporters? Those who have supported the club through the lean and not so lean times, will I am sure tell you loads of incentives have been tried, we have had vouchers, we have had Kids for a Quid. None really worked.
“What we as a club must do is provide value for money. We have improved the quality of the food around the ground. The club bar now has a very good variety of drinks for you to purchase. The match day programme continues to be great value for money. We have a new Safety Officer who is working hard with the stewards to ensure we manage match days in a more professional way. We are trying to progress as a club, all we ask is your support. I am more than happy to discuss issues, but we need to be able to talk in a constructive manner.”
McQueen added: “If we continue to talk ourselves down people will start to believe us. Let’s try and make Ebbsfleet a place other supporters want to come to and other teams fear to visit.”
Meanwhile, The Fleet booked their place in the Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com Second Round last night following their comfortable 5-1 win over Whitstable Town. Former Hereford United striker Nathan Elder scored four while Tom Phipp netted the first against the Ryman League Division One South side at The Belmont.
Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk
Ebbsfleet United v Barrow
Blue Square Bet Premier
Saturday 22nd September 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9GN
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd