The club has said they are looking at strengthening the squad, they have never talked about marquee players.

That said AP has said he is not interested in top 8 as he wants to challenge and win things and we won't do that without better quality players. So there is an inference from AP in a way.

I'm outraged I didn't buy a pass last season or the season before however I did intend on getting one for next season. But having calculated it's going to cost me £195 more than it has done for the previous 2 years then I'm having second thoughts!!

quality

AP said he was going to look at the pricing structure because it was clearly wrong.

I personally don't think the season passes have ever been bad value for money.

I still expect AP to be true to his word and reduce match day prices, which are currently the major obstacle to achieving increased gates.

This may devalue the season pass and may stop some from not buying but as long as the match day prices are low and the team is performing people will still be coming through the gates.

Maybe AP doesn't want 80% of gates to come from season pass holders paying only £15 a game.

Good point.
I think your looking at 1/2 pound reduction on match day prices which I can't see making much of an impact. Get it right on the pitch and people will turn up in numbers.

i think fans are forgetting the rise in VAT,from last year.

This was known WELL BEFORE the pass prices were announced last season so was worked into 2011 prices. The VAT increase would have had no bearing on 2012 prices...

I think that would be illegal as you charge VAT at the going rate when purchased. Only purchases made on or after Jan 1st would be subject to the new 20% rate.

Indeed, but again you're introducing facts where people don't really appreciate them!

How would it be illegal if they bumped the price up by an extra £5 to cover known about the increase, but only paid vat at 17.5% until Jan 1st?

Why would they, or why would they need to?

The club are only responsible (accountable) for the increased VAT for purchases made after Jan 1st
They cannot charge 20% VAT when it is only 17.5%. They will only pay the tax man 17.5% for all purchases before Jan 1st.

You take the value of the goods for purchase, and add the VAT at the going rate.
Sure they can charge and extra £5 if they want to, but it has nothing to do with VAT. It just means that the club will make £4.25 extra profit on all sales before Jan 1st

Exactly, so the vat increase could have had an affect on ticket prices last season, without being illegal, if they'd put the prices up to account/front load the extra 2.5% they'd be paying post Jan 1st.

I know full well the voucher exchange scheme was abused by some and must cost the club a lot of money in lost revenue every year.

A £5 reduction in my pass price is ok by me. I was hoping for more but I'm still looking forward to next season more than any in a long time. And I always look forward to the next season.

Totaly agree with your post.