Football club offers free season tickets to locals
· Yahoo Sports
A football club is offering a free season ticket to local residents.
About 24,000 people living in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, will be eligible as the result of a partnership between the club and town council.
Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.
Thornaby FC's chief operating officer Ryan McKnight, who has been developing the concept for over 10 years, described the announcement as a "milestone" for the town.
He said: "I first had this idea over a decade ago, and to be able to announce this is unbelievable."
The initiative covers all home league fixtures at Teesdale Park for both Thornaby FC men's and women's sides during the 2026/27 season.
In 2024, Thornaby FC's committee voted to drop its women's section, a decision which was reversed days later [BBC]The club came under fire in 2024 after its committee voted to drop its entire women's section - from the under-7s to its women's team - leaving 100 players without a home.
Lioness Beth Mead, who grew up near Whitby, North Yorkshire, called it a "horrible decision" and it was reversed a few days later.
The women's team went on to win their league nine months later.
'Good day out'
McKnight admits attendances in previous seasons have been "very modest" but hopes free season tickets will make the club "skyrocket".
"I want other clubs and places to see our attendances at both men's and women's games and think, 'Wow, something special is happening there'," he said.
"It is critical people get behind it."
Thornaby Town Council has made £6,500 available to fund the scheme.
Glenn Eastick, who sits on the council, said: "There will be critics but it's the bigger picture, football is just a vehicle to get people out of their houses, to meet others and to enjoy themselves.
"I'd love to see everybody come out, the women's team are doing great, kids too, it's just a good day out."
To qualify, you must reside in a household paying the Thornaby Town Parish Council precept and claim a ticket by 31 July.
Follow BBC Tees on X,Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
More stories like this
- Reinstated women's football team wins league
- Football club plans to restore women's team
- Criticism after football club drops women's team