Keighley Cougars' early season ticket deal has proved a major hit with the Cougar Park faithful.

The Co-operative Championship club have introduced a discounted purchase scheme that allows fans to buy their season tickets with saving of more than 16 per cent on the cost of the same ticket after 18th December 2009.

An adult ground season ticket will cost £100 until the December 18 deadline, after which it will set fans back £120. And similar discounts have been applied right across the club's entire season ticket tariff.

For the 2010 season the Cougars have increased their turnstile admission fees so that an adult will pay £15 instead of £11 as in 2009.

Helen Carter, the Cougars' General Manager, said: "Our ticket office has reported that they're doing brisk business and the fans have obviously bought into the 'early bird' offer that we're offering.

"It is also pleasing because many of the people purchasing season tickets have not been watching their Rugby League at Cougar Park for many years.

"Possibly that's a reaction to the fact that we were promoted after beating Oldham in the Co-operative Champion One Grand Final last month.

"But I also believe that because we're offering season tickets at bargain prices that too is having an effect.

"We had to bring our turnstile admission prices in line with the other clubs in the Championship as the costs of playing in the higher division are so much more than they are in Championship One.

"It is also evident that people who have other commitments in the summer see our season ticket deal as being attractive because it means they can afford to miss the odd game and still use their caravans and take weekends away.

"While we're pleased to assist fans during these hard financial times, it's also very encouraging to see some of the club's support from the area returning".

£15 for NL1 rugby is way too much. Just because others charge that, dosent mean we have to. We have gone from one of the cheapest grounds in the country to the most expensive in the league. Yes the season ticket is good value.

Just for the record, Batley charged £12 last season in the same league. Gateshead I think was the same. I was expecting a slight increase, but £4 is too much in my view.

The thing is for us to compete the club has to get money in.

They really are caught between a rock and a hard place on this.

We need the bucks to survive in this league,simple as.

There is no easy solution and as GW says,whats the club gotta do?

Its a no win situation

I'm absolutely fine with it personally, £15 quid to watch my team play is a pleasure, the alternative, is getting dragged round boundry mills! Infact, I'd pay £20!!!

I'm absolutely fine with it personally, £15 quid to watch my team play is a pleasure, the alternative, is getting dragged round boundry mills! Infact, I'd pay £20!!!

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As someone who narrowly avoided being made redundant a few months back, I can see why some people might be annoyed. £15 is a lot of money in a recession for a couple of hours entertainment.

However the season ticket is a great deal because it pays for itself after 7 games.

In fact, I know of 2 people who were just occasional fans who are buying season tickets.

I think this is aimed more towards away fans who will be coming in much larger numbers next season and they all have to pay at the gate.

To put it in to perspective i'm a Norwich City fan (because someone has to be!!) I went to 3 away games in October and the cheapest I paid in to an away end was £19 at Carlisle.

WE paid about twenty one quid to get in at Carlisle!
I think the season ticket is good value, a fat bloke in a red suit will be stuffing one down my flue...ooh, Matron!
Last season I believe cup games and stuff were also included, is this happening again?
And where did I get the idea that buying early got you one for seventy quid, when it is obviously a hundred quid on the website?

we are paying £10 England v Australia!! Might be just shooting yourself in the foot Couugars not encouraging for fiirst time "try it" people. I am going to find it very hard this year sorry.

thats a shame, Helen, just let everyone in for free but this is gonna sting a bit, the players won't get a penny and we will never be able to invest in better future players!! Guys you have to realize that the dough has to come from somewhere, if you can't afford it than fair enough but don't blame the club,niels pockets do have linings you know, what more is he to do??????!!.

I think the club know, the new prise rise could cause a problem to people.

I bet that's the main reason for the fantastic deal on the season tickets.

Isn't that a discounted price?

yes everyone can get it they want people there

And its a good deal. The RFL are desperate. If they don't fill Elland road it will look terrible on tele and to the sponsors of the game.

Keighley are giving a fantastic deal to fans with the season ticket.

I don't really see how the club can compete and not put the price up.

Hi all

Sorry was off yesterday but the gate price is £14 not £15.

Apologies

Helen