Falling attendances a concern for Walsall

In a bid to entice more fans to the Banks's Stadium, the Saddlers have made a number of changes to their pricing policy ahead of the 2019/2020 campaign.

The cost of adult season tickets throughout the ground have been lowered with the price of an adult ticket falling from £356 to £350 in the Main Stand and from £347 to £340 in the middle and upper tiers of the Homeserve Stand.

Walsall have also introduced a new season ticket for young people aged under 21.

They are also continuing to offer free football for under 18s in a scheme that sees junior season tickets priced at £66, with youngsters then recouping £3 on the turnstile for every game they attend.

But while Gamble believes the prices on offer represent value for money, he admits reduced attendances are a big concern.

And the chief executive said he is open to ideas how to get more people through the door.

"We are concerned about attendances," the chief executive said.

"We ran with an offer for the Bradford game last Saturday, which was £5 behind the goal.

"There was a brilliant uptake of that, over 1,000 people took that up. It led to a fantastic atmosphere and I’m sure it had a big impact in us going onto get the win.

"But if you look back at games before that, attendances have been disappointing.

"Ultimately that is driven by results, we also probably suffer a little bit from being the longest serving League One club.

"It is a concern. In our early bird campaign, we have reviewed all the prices, we have simplified our structure.

Competitive

"In terms of price we are competitive, both in the local area and in terms of our level.

"What we can’t do is those £5 offers for every game because you have got to uphold the integrity of the season ticket.

"If people pay £250 up front for a season ticket behind the goal, that’s less than £11 a game, if you are doing £5 offers every other game it de-values the season ticket. It’s about finding that balance.

"But look, we don’t do everything perfect. We are always open to ideas because we know how important it is to get more fans inside the ground."

Over the past few seasons, League One rivals Bradford have seen season ticket sales grow from 11,000 to 18,500.

The Bantams have done it by charging £169 for a season ticket anywhere in the ground, which works out at £7.30 game.

But Gamble doesn't think that offer would work for Walsall.

"At £169, Bradford can sell 18,000 tickets and that will give them a budget to compete in this division," he continued.

"If we slash the price of our season tickets, and did it for £169, I think we would find it difficult to double the amount of season ticket holders.

"I’m not saying we would never do anything like. As far as I’m aware we are still the only club in the country doing free season tickets for under-18s.

"We've also now got the young person’s season ticket, up to 21-years-old. That gives people an extra three years where they pay 50 per cent prices.

"On the whole, I feel it’s a decent offer but it is something we have to continuously look at."