Crystal Palace slammed over season ticket decision that 'has left a bitter taste'

Crystal Palace has been criticised by upset season ticket holders after the club decided to stop discounts for members of the armed forces and NHS staff.

Fans affected, including police officers, nurses and soldiers, are now looking at a price increase of up to £300 to keep their seats at Selhurst Park for the next season. When questioned by fans, the club's ticket office said that the long-standing reduced price offer will not be brought back.

In an email sent to one fan affected by the decision, Palace said that the «removal of the discount may come as disappointing news» but «please know that this decision was not made lightly, and we value the contributions of our military personnel.»

Staff at the Palace ticket office say they told fans about the decision last summer but some of those facing a rise in costs say they didn't get any communication, reports the Mirror. One fan, Danny Hannigan, spoke to Mirror Football and said: «I've supported Palace for 40-odd years, I know prices go up but the club is being run poorly. We've been in the Premier League for nearly 10 seasons and we've moved backwards with the relationship with fans.»

Palace has decided to stop giving discounts, and this has upset some fans. Tottenham Hotspur also got criticised for a similar move with OAP discounts.

It comes after Chelsea's Supporters' Trust voiced their concerns with the owners last week over increasing costs. Mr Hannigan, who has had a season ticket for over ten years, thinks this might be «the last straw».

«I'm seriously considering not renewing,» he said. «It's not the money, it's the way it's been handled. I do a 200-mile round trip to the ground, a whole day, but this has left a bitter taste.

»They don't care about fans anymore.