Cardiff City scheme to bring in next generation of supporter
Thu Mar 03, 2016 8:28 pm
Cardiff City scheme to bring in next generation of supporters proves to be a roaring success 
3 MAR 2016
Media Wales
Over 2,000 extra fans packed in to the Cardiff City Stadium family stand to watch the 2-1 win over Preston
Lindegaard makes a wonder saveThe scheme helped give the attendance a welcome boost
A scheme to capture the next generation of Cardiff City supporters is proving a roaring success.
The Bluebirds have introduced a radical scheme involving primary schools across South Wales, setting up a School’s Ticket League.
ADVERTISING
Thousands of vouchers have been distributed to young pupils across the capital, allowing an adult and child to watch Russell Slade’s side in action at home for a combined price of just £15.
And the club say the first indications are the scheme has captured the imagination of young and old alike, with 2,000 extra adults and children in the Cardiff City Stadium’s Family Stand for the win over Preston last weekend.
Huw Evans AgencyAnthony Pilkington's penalty double against Preston put Cardiff City two points off the Championship play-offs2,000 extra fans saw Pilkington net two penalties in Preston win
Related: Alan Shearer's warning to Manchester United FC sensation Marcus Rashford: 'Don't turn out like Cardiff City striker Federico Macheda'
The move comes as concerns have been raised about the size of crowds in the Welsh capital with regular record low attendances recorded in the Championship at the Bluebirds new home throughout this campaign.
The drop from the Premier League, owner Vincent Tan’s re-branding of the club and the style of football played under Slade, have all been blamed for the apathy and the club have decided to come out fighting hoping to re-ignite the passion in the potential next generation of fans.
Chief executive Ken Choo has described the scheme as an attempt to ‘safeguard the long-term future of the club.’
As well as the reduced tickets, the club are offering schools other incentives to ensure pupils and their parents take up the chance to watch the Bluebirds in action.
Cardiff CityThe club's hierachy have been encouraged by season ticket sales and the uptake on the scheme
On a game-by-game basis, any school that uses 10 to 50 vouchers will get free tickets for preseason home friendly next term, schools using 51 to 99 get the tickets and a stadium tour for their class and schools using more than 100 get all that plus a visit from a Bluebirds’ player.
And the good news does not stop there for participating schools, the ones with the highest number of vouchers used at the end of the season can win sports equipment for their school, Cardiff City training kits and even the chance to hold their school sports day on the hallowed turf of the Cardiff City Stadium pitch.
The schools voucher scheme will be in operation for the home games against Ipswich, QPR and Birmingham between now and the end of the campaign.
The club themselves are delighted by the way the innovative scheme is going with chief executive Ken Choo insisting it was an example of the long-term strategy the club was determined now to adopt.
We are listening to supporters, says Cardiff City chief executive Ken ChooKen Choo is thrilled with the response to the scheme
Read More: Solksjaer: I sang in front of Cardiff City players so they would be less afraid
“It is not something we are doing not for short-term cash gain, but something to safeguard the future of the club,” said Choo.
“We feel we are doing the right thing in attempting to solidify the support of the future by targeting the youngsters. It’s an attempt to build up the next generation of support for the club and we are delighted with the way people have taken up the chance so far.”
And it has not just been about the supporters of the future where the good news has kept coming for the Bluebirds.
Season tickets for the next campaign went on sale on St David’s Day with the club insisting they have seen an upsurge in interest.
In an attempt to woo back supporters ticket prices have been reduced right across the ground with a price freeze in place for those who purchase within a certain time. Choo said it has been an encouraging week so far in terms of sales.
“We are doing very well, it has exceed our expectations,” added Choo.
“On the first day we sold five times more season tickets than we did on the first day the year before. It is very encouraging indeed.”
3 MAR 2016
Media Wales
Over 2,000 extra fans packed in to the Cardiff City Stadium family stand to watch the 2-1 win over Preston
Lindegaard makes a wonder saveThe scheme helped give the attendance a welcome boost
A scheme to capture the next generation of Cardiff City supporters is proving a roaring success.
The Bluebirds have introduced a radical scheme involving primary schools across South Wales, setting up a School’s Ticket League.
ADVERTISING
Thousands of vouchers have been distributed to young pupils across the capital, allowing an adult and child to watch Russell Slade’s side in action at home for a combined price of just £15.
And the club say the first indications are the scheme has captured the imagination of young and old alike, with 2,000 extra adults and children in the Cardiff City Stadium’s Family Stand for the win over Preston last weekend.
Huw Evans AgencyAnthony Pilkington's penalty double against Preston put Cardiff City two points off the Championship play-offs2,000 extra fans saw Pilkington net two penalties in Preston win
Related: Alan Shearer's warning to Manchester United FC sensation Marcus Rashford: 'Don't turn out like Cardiff City striker Federico Macheda'
The move comes as concerns have been raised about the size of crowds in the Welsh capital with regular record low attendances recorded in the Championship at the Bluebirds new home throughout this campaign.
The drop from the Premier League, owner Vincent Tan’s re-branding of the club and the style of football played under Slade, have all been blamed for the apathy and the club have decided to come out fighting hoping to re-ignite the passion in the potential next generation of fans.
Chief executive Ken Choo has described the scheme as an attempt to ‘safeguard the long-term future of the club.’
As well as the reduced tickets, the club are offering schools other incentives to ensure pupils and their parents take up the chance to watch the Bluebirds in action.
Cardiff CityThe club's hierachy have been encouraged by season ticket sales and the uptake on the scheme
On a game-by-game basis, any school that uses 10 to 50 vouchers will get free tickets for preseason home friendly next term, schools using 51 to 99 get the tickets and a stadium tour for their class and schools using more than 100 get all that plus a visit from a Bluebirds’ player.
And the good news does not stop there for participating schools, the ones with the highest number of vouchers used at the end of the season can win sports equipment for their school, Cardiff City training kits and even the chance to hold their school sports day on the hallowed turf of the Cardiff City Stadium pitch.
The schools voucher scheme will be in operation for the home games against Ipswich, QPR and Birmingham between now and the end of the campaign.
The club themselves are delighted by the way the innovative scheme is going with chief executive Ken Choo insisting it was an example of the long-term strategy the club was determined now to adopt.
We are listening to supporters, says Cardiff City chief executive Ken ChooKen Choo is thrilled with the response to the scheme
Read More: Solksjaer: I sang in front of Cardiff City players so they would be less afraid
“It is not something we are doing not for short-term cash gain, but something to safeguard the future of the club,” said Choo.
“We feel we are doing the right thing in attempting to solidify the support of the future by targeting the youngsters. It’s an attempt to build up the next generation of support for the club and we are delighted with the way people have taken up the chance so far.”
And it has not just been about the supporters of the future where the good news has kept coming for the Bluebirds.
Season tickets for the next campaign went on sale on St David’s Day with the club insisting they have seen an upsurge in interest.
In an attempt to woo back supporters ticket prices have been reduced right across the ground with a price freeze in place for those who purchase within a certain time. Choo said it has been an encouraging week so far in terms of sales.
“We are doing very well, it has exceed our expectations,” added Choo.
“On the first day we sold five times more season tickets than we did on the first day the year before. It is very encouraging indeed.”
Re: Cardiff City scheme to bring in next generation of suppo
Thu Mar 03, 2016 8:32 pm
This is a much bigger scheme. Than just giving away a few tickets sounds like a real winner long term massive credit to the club for this idea
The incentives for schools is a real key initiative IMO hope the local school kids get the buzz I got at my first ever city game
The incentives for schools is a real key initiative IMO hope the local school kids get the buzz I got at my first ever city game
Re: Cardiff City scheme to bring in next generation of suppo
Thu Mar 03, 2016 9:06 pm
Credit to the club. It's a great idea and I hope it's a massive success
Re: Cardiff City scheme to bring in next generation of suppo
Thu Mar 03, 2016 9:15 pm
Has anybody got a link on how the schools sign up? I will then fire it in to a few schools on twitter 
Re: Cardiff City scheme to bring in next generation of suppo
Thu Mar 03, 2016 10:54 pm
Great idea and an incentive for the school to push it with the prizes etc.
Are they carrying it on next season?
Are they carrying it on next season?