THE cost of watching Wanderers in the Nationwide League will go up for the new season.

Yet the club admit to having revised and reduced the original increase following relegation into Division One.

They have revealed that two price levels were set as Wanderers went into that final deciding game at Chelsea.

Survival in the Premiership would obviously have cost the fans more but despite losing an estimated £2,500,000 in TV and crowd revenue, the directors have decided to keep increases to what they describe as "the minimum" for the Nationwide campaign.

Matchday prices at the turnstiles have been increased by £1 in all sections while a top priced season ticket for the upper tier of the East and West stands will cost £361.

Over a full season this is a saving of £76 on matchday prices, the equivalent of watching four Nationwide matches free compared to the two during the last Premiership season.

Des McBain, the club's Chief Executive, said: "We looked at prices at most of the First Division clubs and we feel that ours are comparable.

"In some cases, as at West Brom for instance, the prices are almost identical."

The major change is that all season ticket holders will now pay the same.

Season ticket holders at Burnden Park were able to buy similar tickets at the Reebok for the same price but they will now come into line with those who were first time buyers last year.

Those Burnden ticket holders paid £270 for their seat at the Reebok compared with the £306 for new buyers. For the coming season all will pay £361.

Mr McBain added: "Athough those supporters now face a larger increase to match the prices paid by other ticket holders, over three years they have benefited by a £2 a match reduction.

"For example, during that time those fans have been able to watch 65 home games at an average cost of £13.86 whilst new ticket holders have 42 games at an average of £15.82."

Ticket office manager Graham Halliday confirmed that the finance plan set up in conjunction with The Associates of Bradshawgate, Bolton, for the purchase of season tickets will be in operation again this season.

"That proved very popular last year and many fans took advantage of it which has allowed us to negotiate better terms with a lower APR and an extension for repayment from eight months to 12 months."

Last season the Wanderers sold 18,000 season tickets compared with 12,500 in 1996 and although sales are not expected to be as great as it was in the Premiership, the club have been surprised by the level of interest.

Mr McBain commented: "There has been a steady stream of ticket inquiries so we are reasonably confident there will be a demand.

"In return we are offering a commitment that we will be giving it a real go next season. We want to be back in the Premiership and that is the aim of everyone connected with this club."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.