By Aston
April 19 2005

Ipswich Town chief executive Derek Bowden has defended the clubs ticket prices for the FA Youth Cup final.

Tickets for Friday nights second leg will cost £8 for adults and £1 for under 16’s with no discount for concessions and this has drawn criticism from some supporters as it would of only cost them £6 to watch the first leg at St Mary’s.

Bowden: “Our pricing follows on from the structure of the earlier rounds at Portman Road.

“Obviously the Final is a big match, the FA Cup Final at Academy level and is treated as a major domestic trophy.

“Friday's game is the decisive of the two legs and with the scores locked at 2-2, it should be a cracking match.

“As I said, we have followed our pricing levels as the competition has developed with the Semi-Final against Tottenham charged at £6 for adults, £4 concessions and £1 kids.

“Supporters actually paid £7 to watch our game away at Colchester and that was only a Quarter-Final tie and it's also worth remembering that we are a Championship club and not Premiership, which Tottenham and Southampton are.

“Friday's game provides a good opportunity to bring important revenue into the Club with all proceeds from the game going to the Academy, an Academy that has provided Joe Royle with a number of his first-team players this season.

“We believe that £10 for an adult and two children to watch one of the major domestic trophies settled at Portman Road on Friday works out at good value for money and hopefully there will be a big support behind Bryan Klug and the boys on the night.”

Tickets can be brought at the gate on the night, by calling the ticket office on its new number (0870 11 10 555) or at Planet Blue stores but all supporters are advised to arrive early because a large crowd is expected and only the Cobbold and Britannia stands will be open for 7:45 kick off.

Fans unable to make the game will be able to watch on sky sports 3.

Talk about Town on our message board.