Back the Boys and Girls

Birmingham City have announced that they have slashed ticket prices for the final three home games of the season in an attempt to pack out the stadium.

The deal gives fans the opportunity to watch all three remaining home games for £30 – £10 for concessions. Alternatively, fans can buy tickets for the Blackburn and Wigan games for just a tenner a piece, a fiver for concessions or a quid for under-13s.

Naturally, there has been some cynicism about the offer online with some fans saying that it is a sign of desperation in trying to bring as much money into the club as possible before the end of the season. For what’s it’s worth, I’m pretty sure it’s not intended that way; I think that the Blues management know that for the team to stay in the Championship realistically they need to win one, if not two of their upcoming home games and that the best way to achieve that is to have a large noisy crowd backing the team.

I’ve seen some grumbles from season ticket holders about the deal too; again, as a season ticket holder myself I have to say that anything that improves the atmosphere in the last three games has to be welcomed and that a full stadium is much more preferable to sit in than a half-empty one.

I’m intrigued as to how well it will work. The first two games are in the school holidays – the Blackburn game being on Easter Monday – and as such it should be easier for people to take their kids along. What worries me is that apathy seems to be at an all time high at the moment – something I know as I have been experiencing it myself – and I’m concerned that even with ticket prices as low as they’re going to get fans will still decide not to go for whatever reason. I hope it does work because I do think the team needs us and I think that the team plays better with the fans behind it. A full stadium also shows potential investors that the support is out there and that the club is worth buying.

With no game this weekend due to Wigan being in the FA Cup semi-final, this could be a good opportunity for fans to check out the Ladies’ home debut at the home of Solihull Moors, Damson Parkway. Blues Ladies take on Doncaster Belles in the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday looking to progress in a competition that they won in 2012. Tickets are available for £6.