Scottish Top Division Football Clubs Get Cash From Increased Season-Ticket Sales

Scotland's top-flight football clubs "have been given a cash boost by an increase in season ticket sales," according to Craig McDonald of the Scotland DAILY RECORD. Figures "were also up last season" -- as fans rallied to offset gate revenue lost by Rangers’ demotion to Division Three. With a week to go before the SPL kicks off, Aberdeen, Celtic, Hearts, Hibs and Partick Thistle "all report increases on last year." Ernst & Young partner Neil Patey said that the bounce "could be due to league restructuring" -- or a feel-good factor returning to the economy. He said, "Any increases are a positive message for Scottish football. Maybe it’s a sign league reconstruction is being viewed positively and the economy generally is better now" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 7/28).