Rangers Attempt To Lure Families Back To Ibrox

Mar 23 2008 By Mark Guidi

Gers Lure Families Back To Ibrox Club Pick Up Tab For Lisbon Briefs

RANGERS last night announced new season ticket prices that will cost them £715,000 in a bid to attract more families to the club.

And Gers will also give away 2400 tickets for their UEFA Cup quarter-final clash against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal at a cost of £51,000.

Ibrox chairman Sir David Murray is conscious that football is becoming too expensive for most families.

And that's why he has frozen adult season ticket prices for next term while cutting juvenile rates by a third.

Concession prices will also remain the same and a family of four will be able to save between £162 and £186 on the cost of season books.

Murray said: "Families and kids are the future. We cannot sit back and allow them to be priced out of football.

"We need to get kids off the streets and into football.

"They will be the lifeblood of clubs in years to come and we must do what we can to bring families to the game.

"We understand the cost of following football is high, particularly if your club is competing in Europe.

"This is not just an issue for Rangers but for all major clubs. We must do what we can to make football more affordable and accessible for all.

"We set out new strategic objectives a few years ago.

"The first was to build a team for the future.

"And the second was to address long-term what we can do to encourage the next generation. That is what we are going to promote now.

"When I left Ibrox after the home game against East Stirling in the Scottish Cup I noticed the amount of fathers and sons leaving the ground.

"We want to increase that and the cost of this season ticket plan represents a significant investment.

"Those of us at Ibrox take great pride in being part of the Rangers family and we want to keep it that way.

"That's why we'll be putting family at the heart of the club and what will be happening here in years to come."

More immediately, Gers have rewarded their loyal fans with free tickets for the Sporting clash - their eighth Euro away day this season.

The club have purchased their entire allocation for the April 10 match and chief executive Martin Bain said: "This is a big thank you to our supporters who have shown extraordinary commitment.

"The fans have been terrific in terms of support and behaviour at matches. That's why we are delighted to offer them these tickets."