Airdrie freeze season ticket prices

Jul 1 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

CHAIRMAN Jim Ballantyne says season ticket prices had to remain frozen in order to preserve full-time football at Airdrie United.

The Diamonds have unveiled their packages for the forthcoming campaign with an unreserved adult season book priced at £225.

Pensioners and the disabled will be charged £130 while youths under the age of 16 will have to pay £90 to watch second division football.

Parent and primary school child tickets have been set at £265 with parent and secondary school briefs costing £285.

Supporters wanting to reserve their seat in the main stand at New Broomfield will need to shell out an extra £20.

Ballantyne admits the next year will be “difficult for everybody” but is hoping the fans will help ensure Airdrie make a quickfire return to the first division.

He told the Advertiser: “Obviously the drop was a sore one but it is important that we bounce straight back.

“The easy decision was to consider part-time football based on our low crowd base, but we have committed to remaining full-time to give ourselves the best opportunity of an immediate return.

“We have kept the prices the same as last year as otherwise there would be no way we could even consider full-time football.

“We are asking the fans to get behind the club and give us the support we need to prosper.

“This is even more essential than ever, bearing in mind the tough economic climate we find ourselves in and there are almost daily reports of clubs in serious difficulties.

“It will be a difficult year ahead for everybody but the backing of the fans will help ease the burden.”

Ballantyne says the board would welcome a cash injection and vowed to continue in his quest to attract new investors.

He added: “As has been the case from the very start, we would actively welcome fresh investment to help the cause.

“But to date, we have not yet found anybody willing to contribute, but rest assured that the search will go on.”

Meanwhile, Diamonds gaffer Kenny Black says he wants to bring in five new players to aid his side’s title bid.

The 45-year-old has put two strikers, a left-sided midfielder, a central midfielder and a utility player on his summer shopping list.

The squad started pre-season training at the Tulliallan Police College near Kincardine on Saturday with Black currently running the rule over two trialists.

One player not involved in the sessions was winger Steven McDougall who finally completed his move to Dunfermline Athletic after a compensation fee was agreed.

Black said: “New players will be coming in sooner rather than later but there is nothing imminent at this moment in time.

“It will all come down to the financial constraints as we won’t be going overboard and making silly offers. I want players to come here because they want to be winners.”

He added: “The players we already have here are capable of putting the disappointment of last season behind them and mounting a sustained push for the title.

“We have a couple of trialists with us and some of the under-19 squad are also involved in training as we may need to use them next season if we suffer with injuries and suspensions.”

Black confirmed that Airdrie’s permanent training base from Monday, July 13 would be Little Kerse near Falkirk.

lTHE club shop will be open next Thursday night from 6-8pm so Diamonds fans can buy their season tickets.

See next week’s Advertiser for a list of all of the shop’s opening times up to July 19.

lTHIS week’s Airdrie United lottery numbers are as follows: £800 draw - 10, 11 and 14. £300 draw - 9, 12 and 16.