THERE will be a small increase in the price of season tickets - around three per cent - at Ewood Park next season.

But matchday prices are set to rise by £1 for 13 of Blackburn Rovers' Premiership fixtures - and a massive £4 per game for six "Grade A" matches.

Rovers' thinking is to make season tickets an even more attractive proposition and reward the fans who support them regularly, rather than those who are selective as to which games they watch.

In terms of hard cash, the highest-priced League match season tickets at Ewood for 1997-98, in the Jack Walker Stand upper central, will be £345 which is an increase of £12 on 1996-97.

The lowest-priced League match tickets, in the Blackburn End (lower), Walkersteel Stand and Darwen End, will be £273, a rise of £10.

And concessionary season tickets in those areas have also shown only a very slight increase - just £5 to £147. The regular match-day admission charge will be £16 in most areas (concessions having gone up to £10), with prices of £19 (£10) in the Jack Walker Stand upper outer and lower central and £20 in the upper central.

But another £3 will be added to the match-day charge for six Grade A fixtures, which are: Arsenal, Bolton, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle. Concessionary prices, however, remain at £10 for the more expensive matches.

Fans buying the dearest League season ticket would save £53 on single-match charges. Those buying the cheapest would save £49, compared to paying for each game separately.

Rovers secretary Tom Finn said: "We will also be running the instalment plan again, as it seems to be increasing in popularity with our supporters.

"Although it costs more than the normal season ticket, it still works out cheaper than paying on a match-by-match basis, as well as having the advantages associated with being a season-ticket holder." The club are also hoping to further improve their arrangements for families by accepting grandparents, as well as parents, at a concessionary price in the Family Stand. The free family season ticket for children aged under eight will continue in that area.

And prices for full-time students, which have been a bone of contention in the past, could see a new scheme in time for next season.

"We are aiming to introduce a concessionary price for students in full-time education on a matchday basis," said Mr Finn.

"It may have to be restricted but details will be announced as soon as our plans are finalised."

Rovers will also be making Premium season tickets available again. Around 30 per cent of their 16,000 season-ticket holders paid the Premium price last year. These tickets include admission to four home cup ties, with future credit given if the total falls below that. Top Premium ticket price in the main stand (upper central) is £418. Blackburn End (lower) and Walkersteel Premium tickets are £330 (£178 concessions).

Season tickets will be on sale from Monday and key dates are June 20, the closing date for applications to join the instalment scheme, and July 5, the last day for fans to renew their tickets to claim their own seats.

The cost of £345 for a top-priced League match season ticket in the Jack Walker Stand (upper central) is the equivalent of £18-15p per game. The lowest-priced ticket at £273 works out at £14-36p a match.

Fans who renew their season tickets by June 14 will be automatically entered into a draw - the prize being an exclusive tour of the Brockhall training ground and its facilities.

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