The Season ticket debate: A case for and against

This summer, more than any I can remember in my many years following the club there is a rather despondent mood amongst many of the clubs supporters, so much so that many loyal fans are seriously considering not purchasing season tickets.

I am currently undecided, like others I have said during a dreary mid-season game that I won't be back next season, knowing full well that I would be but this time seems different.

The case for:

• For all those that are long-term season ticket holders, being an Owls fan is in the blood and therefore being at the game is a must, regardless of how the club is performing on and off the field.

• It's a fresh start. The Championship may not always offer the best quality but it is very competitive and who is to say that with the right team spirit, tactics, organisation and a bit of luck on the injury front, Wednesday can't have a much improved campaign. Few would have predicted such strong showings from the likes of Hull, Bristol and Plymouth last season.

• Priority tickets for away games. Given the policy of our city rivals for our allocation last season it is unlikely that any tickets for the Bramall Lane clash will be available on general sale. There are a number of attractive away games next season including Barnsley, Forest, Doncaster and Derby and so having priority as a season ticket holder will be of benefit.

The Case Against:

• It is hard to comprehend the price rises. A basic rule of economics concerns supply and demand. When demand outweighs supply then a price increase is a natural option. For clubs such as Man Utd they can put prices up safe in the knowledge that enough people will still be prepared to pay. In our case, supply exceeds demand. Our stadium in percentage terms has one of the lowest seats taken compared to capacity rates in the league. Although sport does not always follow conventional business rules due to the nature of supporter loyalty, an increase in price given what is on offer is unlikely to help this improve.

• Following on from the first point, the price increase does not relate to what is on offer. Last season the team avoided relegation on the last day and has thus far failed to persuade any of the loan players that were involved in aiding the survival to return to the club. Attempts to bring in any new signings have also been of little fruit to date. Last season the club began with most acknowledging Whelan and Brunt to be key players with regards to any previous success. These players have since been sold and not adequately replaced and yet the adult season ticket renewal prices have increased significantly.

• Other clubs offer better value for money. While it is true that loyal supporters will not change teams on the basis of price, it is not nice to think that other supporters are paying less for a better product. Blackburn Rovers for example-a top 8 Premier League team have cheaper adult season tickets than we are offered. We are informed that our season ticket renewal deadline has been extended with respect to current economic pressure in the UK. Sheffield United also extended their initial price deadline. I don't know whether those in and around S2 have managed to avoid the credit crunch or whether it is the fact that they have a very affordable price structure that has seen them sell in the region of 18,000 season ticket thus far?

The extension to the renewal deadline has at least given those that are undecided more thinking time and a further chance to see what if anything happens in terms of a possible takeover and/or any developments on the transfer front although it is hard to be too optimistic in relation to either of these given the lack of concrete activity we have seen to date.