Hibs reveal soaring season ticket sales

Published on Saturday 7 November 2009 10:52

HIBS today revealed soaring sales of half-season tickets with demand far outstripping that of previous years.

The Easter Road outfit put the tickets – pegged at 2007 prices – on sale earlier this week and have been delighted with the response from supporters.

Fife Hyland, the club's commercial and communications director, said: "We had a queue of people waiting when the ticket office opened after we announced the launch of the half-season tickets.

"Since then sales have been running at two-and-a-half times faster than last year which gives you an indication of the interest from supporters.

"In addition we have been swamped by telephone calls, e-mails and personal callers wanting to know more."

The half-season tickets will be valid for 11 matches at Easter Road, starting with the visit of Rangers on 27 December and then Capital rivals Hearts on 3 January. Two such highly-attractive games in the space of a week was, according to Hyland, only part of the reason for such healthy sales.

He said: "It's a combination of things. The fans are obviously liking what they see on the pitch and the fact there's such a positive atmosphere and spirit about the club.

"We pegged season ticket prices at 2007 levels when we launched them in the summer and that applies again to half-seasons. We've

also got a fantastic festive programme of matches at Easter Road with Rangers and Hearts coming here back-to-back.

"And, conscious of the very challenging financial environment facing our supporters, particularly over the Christmas period, we are offering them the chance to pay half now and the rest in February, interest free. We are determined to do as much as we can to encourage people to come to Easter Road."

While the top price for a half-season ticket is 220 for an adult in the West Stand, the cost drops as low as just 25 for a member of Hibs Kids aged under five.

Hyland said: "The walk-up price for tickets for both the Rangers and Hearts matches would be 54 alone, while the half-season includes 11 games, another of which will be a visit from Celtic in April while there's the real possibility both Rangers and Hearts will be back at Easter Road following the split.

"That means virtually half the matches will be Category A games."

Hyland warned, however, that, while half-season tickets will be sold up until 23 December, to guarantee seats for the Rangers and Hearts games fans would have to buy before 30 November as tickets for those matches will go on general sale after that date.

Meanwhile, Hibs' Under-19 side will begin their defence of the SFA Youth Cup when they face troubled Inverness Clachnacuddin at the club's East Mains Training Centre tomorrow (kick-off 1pm).

The Highland League side are battling for their survival having gone into administration but have promised to send their team south.