YORK City Knights have effectively cut season-ticket and vice-president prices for the new-look 2013 season.

Next year will comprise 13 home games in a restructured 14-team Championship campaign, compared to the 11 home games in 2012 which have comprised two Northern Rail Cup group games plus nine league games – the last of which is against Hunslet a week tomorrow and will decide the wooden spoonists.

The price of an adult season ticket has risen from £140 standing and £160 seating to £154 and £176 respectively, but the fact there are two more games next season means it represents a reduction in cost. There are similar gains in season tickets for over-65s and students.

Vice-president packages, meanwhile, have stayed the same at £350 – effectively providing two free games compared to 2012.

Additionally, match-day admission prices are staying the same as this year at £14 for adult standing and £16 seating (£10 and £12 for concessions) – and ground admission for under-16s is being slashed from £5 to £2 (plus £2 transfer to seating).

U16s season tickets, which include entry to all away games as well, have risen to £35 for all Championship clubs (£50 seating) – meaning U16s Knights fans who only go to home games will be better off paying on the gate each week.

General manager Ian Wilson said the notable reductions are not reflective of this season’s poor results.

He said: “It’s important to keep it affordable for people. If you’re a season-ticket holder, you get into lower-grade games for free as well. We think the prices are very competitive at this level.”

As for reduced admission prices for U16s, Wilson said: “It’s important to get the kids through the turnstiles. They’re the future of the club and if kids come, parents come too. We’re trying to make it affordable for families.”

There will be no Northern Rail Cup group games for Championship clubs next year as the competition is being given a new format.

As it stands, the ten Championship One clubs in 2013 will play group games to decide which two clubs qualify for the last 16, where they will join the 14 Championship clubs.

The competition will be straight knockout from that point on.

These knockout cup ties, like with Challenge Cup ties, are not covered on the season ticket.

Vice-president packages again come with a host of benefits, such as free pre-match meals, a free VP scarf, free ticket for the 2013 presentation evening, two free tickets for the 2013 Challenge Cup final at Wembley, cut-price replica shirts, ten per cent off merchandise, and access to the VP lounge on match days. Vice-presidents who add a new VP for 2013 also receive £100 cashback, and can book a VP day guest for £20 per game.

Season ticket holders, meanwhile, can buy a 2013 replica shirt for £30 (retail at £42) and a new club scarf for £8 (retail at £10), and get entry to all home pre-season friendlies (a minimum of three matches) for £30. They can also book pre-match meals at all 13 league matches for £100.

Wilson added: “With new head coach Gary Thornton at the helm and with plans for the new community stadium progressing, we are embarking on some exciting times at the club.”

Supporters can pay for season tickets in four monthly instalments from August to November. For details or to order tickets or sign up for standing orders, visit yorkcityknights.co.uk or phone the club on 01904 767404.

Season tickets, VP passes, replica shirts and scarves will be available for collection at the club’s annual launch night, which will take place on Thursday, November 29.

Fans can also make donations to the squad builder fund.

The Knights added: “In the past season this fund has donated more than £18,000 to the club – which has made a huge difference to the quality of players we can sign, so continue to support if you can.

“There is a section on the booking form which enables you to donate when you purchase your season ticket or vice president package.”

KISS, the Knights Independent Supporters’ Society, will be holding their annual Super League Grand Final bash on Saturday, October 6 – with incoming head coach Gary Thornton a guest speaker.

The event, an absolute bargain when you think about it, will be at Huntington Sports Club, starting at 6pm with the match on the big screen, followed by a question and answer session with Thornton and other special guests.

After that there will be “Night at the Races”, bingo and dancing to finish. There will also be a chicken and chips supper.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £3 for under-16s. They are limited, though, so anyone interested should see Ian Hick at or before the Hunslet game, or phone Gary Hall on 01904 634902, or the Knights office on 01904 767404.

All funds raised will go to the Knights’ squad builder fund.

2013 season ticket prices

• Adult Ground £154 (£14)

• Adult Seating £176 (£16);

• Over-65/Student Ground £110 (£10);

• Over-65/Student Seating £132 (£12);

• U16 Ground (includes away league matches) £35 (£2);

• U16 Seating (includes away league matches) £50 (£4);

• Family Ground (two adults and two U16s) £325 (£32)

• Family Seating (two adults and two U16s) £375 (£40).

(Respective Huntington Stadium match admission prices are in brackets)

Chris’ consolation

THERE was no movement at the top of The Press Player of the Year standings following last weekend’s loss at Batley.

Player-coach Chris Thorman, whose efforts were all in vain in the 50-0 defeat, was our man of the match and so collects three points to add to his player-of-the-year tally and jump into joint-fourth place in the table.

It’s some consolation for what was clearly a frustrating day for the outgoing boss in the penultimate game of his distinguished career.

Other to collect points for decent displays were centre Matt Garside (2) and 18-year-old substitute Harry Carter who deserves plaudits for a plucky debut as replacement hooker, not only with his work with ball in hand but also for his tackling against far bigger and scarier opponents.

The Press Player of the Year standings: Aldous 23pts, Sullivan 19, Ford 13, Davies 12, Thorman 12, King 9, Bush 8, Tansey 7, Clarke 7, Lee 6, Garside 6, Elliott 4, Sutton 4, Green 3, Hellewell 3, Turner 3, Freer 3, Houston 3, Johnson 3, Brining 3, Nicklas 2, Smith 1, Esposito 1, Carter 1.

  • THE final Player of the Month for this season will be named in this column next week. Vote before noon on Wednesday.

The August matches are those against the Championship’s top three sides, Featherstone, Halifax and Batley. The winner of the award will be presented before next week’s game against Hunslet and received three bonus points for their Press Player of the Year tally.