YORK City ticket prices will remain unchanged next season, the Evening Press can reveal.

Club chiefs have taken the decision to freeze prices on both match-day admission and early-bird season tickets - in real terms signifying a price cut when inflation is taken into account - following a disappointing campaign in their first year outside the Football League.

And full price season tickets, which come into effect after the July 4 early-bird discount cut-off point, will actually be cheaper than last year, even before considering inflation. Last year there was a 12.5 per cent rise after July 4, and this year it is ten per cent - though obviously fans are better off buying the discounted early-bird tickets.

Current season ticket holders will be written to personally by manager Billy McEwan asking them to renew their tickets for the 2005-06 Conference campaign, in which the club are optimistic of an improved promotion challenge.

The City boss, who has signed more than 900 letters to encourage fans to sign up again next season, said: "The club needs as much support as possible next season and I felt it would show our fans how much we appreciate them if I personally signed every letter that goes out.

"It has taken a lot of time and I know it would be easier to scan my signature, but hopefully this personal touch will help to encourage our fans to sign up next season and join us on the journey."

Club bosses reckon this unprecedented move shows the club's commitment to its "long-standing, loyal supporters".

The letters will arrive on doorsteps later this week with a newly-designed application form listing the benefits and discounts season ticket holders will receive. The form will also include statements and photographs of supporters from different areas of the ground who have already confirmed they will renew.

The club will also introduce new offers to encourage more families and juniors.

These include a new £29 season ticket for under-12s, which the club hope will encourage the next generation of supporters and young families to go to KitKat Crescent and thus help to reduce the average age of the City fan.

Communications and community director Sophie McGill said: "We wanted to offer a really affordable season ticket for under-12s and thought £29 was a competitive price. It works out at only £1.38 per match and is cheap enough to buy as a gift."

McGill added: "We realise we have an ageing fan base and this is a radical step to try to rectify this problem. We are confident the scheme will be a success."

The club have also introduced new family tickets and are offering special group rates for schools, youth groups and junior sports clubs.

Updated: 10:59 Tuesday, May 17, 2005