Alfreton Town look to create future fan base through sensible ticket policy

Alfreton Town have ramped up their efforts to draw in the crowds as they enter the business end of a remarkable season.
Southports Scott Brown slides in to take the ball of Jon Akinde.Southports Scott Brown slides in to take the ball of Jon Akinde.
Southports Scott Brown slides in to take the ball of Jon Akinde.

For all three of their home games in February, ticket prices for younger fans are being dramatically reduced, as The Reds attempt to build a fan base for the future.

For the matches against Hyde, Aldershot Town and Gateshead, admission for each game will be £1 for U16s, and £5 for young adults (aged 17-21 years-old).

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Alfreton, who switched to a part-time club in the summer, are currently riding high in the Skrill Conference Premier thanks to a blistering run of form as they enjoy their best ever season.

But club officials say their efforts to achieve a fairytale promotion is being hindered by the fact that there are five established professional teams within 20 miles of the town.

Considering they have never been any higher than the fifth tier of English football, it has always been a struggle to bring large numbers to North Street.

Yet those circumstances have done nothing to deter Alfreton. This new offer comes off the back of a pilot scheme that ran over Christmas, which once again slashed ticket prices.

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It was an incentive that drew a lot of young fans, and club director John Glasby is optimistic that they are the key to helping Town’s support flourish.

“The club was particularly encouraged by the numbers of young fans that attended each fixture and it is in these areas that the club has planned it’s next initiative,” he said.

“The club will continue to monitor the information which it obtains from every match, and supporters can rest assured that the club will do what it can, when it can.”

After gaining four promotions in nine years, Alfreton’s meteoric rise was tempered by two seasons of consolidation in a league that once seemed beyond their wildest dreams.

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Their brilliance this season has posed some interesting questions about the possibility of promotion, and how they would compete with highly established sides, both on the pitch and in the stands.

Said Glasby: “Miracles on the field have taken this club to the top end of the conference. Miracles ‘off the field’ may take a little longer!”

For the meantime though, Town will look to write their own chapter in footballing folklore. History will tell you, they quite like proving people wrong.