BLACKBURN Rovers have frozen season-ticket prices at Ewood, following relegation to the First Division where they will have four more home fixtures.

And chief executive John Williams today revealed a promotion price pledge to those fans who stay loyal and buy season tickets.

If the club bounces straight back to the Premiership next season, anyone who buys a season ticket this year will be able to renew at the same price for 2000-2001.

The prices - which included a cut in matchday admission - were announced today, along with a package of special deals aimed specifically at young fans and families.

Rovers have carried out extensive research among hundreds of supporters and feel they have come up with the kind of incentives needed after a disastrous season on the field. A survey of Premier League clubs has revealed an average 10 per cent increase in season-ticket prices for the top flight.

Relegation, however, has forced Rovers to take a different course but they have also tried to be positive, especially for younger fans.

A new 'young adult' season ticket will be introduced, for fans aged 16-21.

Junior season-ticket prices have been reduced and will average around £6-50 per game and the free under-eights scheme will continue. In addition, families who take more than one child can obtain half-price season tickets for the second and subsequent children. One of the complaints made by fans in research concerned the credit card charge applying to every ticket bought.

That has been changed to apply only to each transaction, no matter how many tickets.

The club have also included a "Countdown" card which will give season ticket holders discounts at certain stores and they intend to continue with their instalment plans enabling fans to spread the cost.

As for the new prices, the young adult season ticket which will be available in certain areas of the stadium will cost £199.

Typical prices are: Blackburn End lower tier, adult £299; junior £150 (£75 for a second child); £162 senior citizen.

Matchday ticket prices have been reduced and will range from £15-20 for adults. Senior citizens will pay £10 and junior prices have been cut back to £8. Williams said: "It is important that we show our matchday prices alongside season ticket costs so that our supporters know exactly what kind of value for money they are getting."

The cost of one season in the First Division will be immense to the club but they are also keen to try to maintain their present fan base.

"We would like to sell 15,000 season tickets as we did last year. But reality tells you that we will not," said the chief executive who believes the prices plus incentives are the best way for the club to pick up as many renewals as possible.

"We know our revenues are likely to fall by up to £12m in the coming season. We are going to make a substantial operating loss.

"But it would be ludicrous to try to use season ticket prices to retrieve some of that."

Ewood's business development manager Alan McColgan also promised other rewards for season ticket holders.

"They will continue to be offered preferential rates for Cup games providing we get the permission of the other club involved," he said. "And we will do the same for beambacks. Because of capacities in the First Division that could apply on a number of occasions next season."

The appointment of Dave Fevre from Manchester United to the Ewood backroom staff was officially confirmed last night.

As we revealed on Monday, Fevre takes over as senior physio on a full-time basis, replacing part-time Alan Smith.

Brian Kidd said: "I am delighted to have Dave join us. It is an important appointment and he has all the right credentials."

Married with four children, 38-year-old Fevre joined United as senior physio in July 1994. Before that, he began with Lancashire CCC in 1985 and has spent four years with the Great Britain RL squad and three years with Wigan Warriors.

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