CHERRIES chairman Jeff Mostyn acknowledged a ticket price rise would be “difficult to embrace” but said it was necessary because “ambition comes at a price”.

Season and matchday tickets for the forthcoming campaign at Dean Court will increase by 20 per cent across the board, the club has announced today.

Cherries supporters were treated to one of the most memorable seasons in recent history as Eddie Howe’s men finished 10th in the Championship.

The club’s recent success has owed much to the backing of ambitious owner Maxim Demin who is keen to see the Dorset outfit reach the Premier League.

However, clubs must abide by stringent financial fair play (FFP) rules with Mostyn insisting Cherries’ ticketing and commercial price structure has been “driven by the requirements”.

In an interview with the Daily Echo, Mostyn added: “As a club with one of the smallest stadiums in the Championship, if not the smallest, we are always going to struggle to break even given the demands of the finances within the Championship.

“We are committed to competing with the best and, as such, providing our supporters with the best matchday experience.

"The fact we achieved our highest league finish in history was a clear indication of our ambition. We were also the only promoted club to remain in the Championship and we did so in style.

“We have ambition to achieve Premier League status and that comes at a price. We have to pay top wages in order to attract top-quality players while also trying to ensure we retain our own playing squad.

“Maxim is totally committed to the club and its desire to play at the highest level. I believe we in turn have to show our commitment in supporting Maxim and the board’s objectives of not only playing at the highest level but complying with FFP to avoid any future penalties.

“We are in the entertainment business and we all know a ticket for a top concert costs more than watching a support act. We are now a top performing side and this season’s prices reflect that and still remain fantastic value.

“A family season ticket for two adults and two Junior Cherries works out at £7.80 per person, per game and that is cheaper than a visit to the cinema.

"We appreciate any increase is difficult to embrace but hope our supporters understand the rationale behind it.

“At clubs with stadia holding 25,000 to 30,000, tickets are priced to try to fill what would be half empty grounds but we do not have that luxury and have to do our very best to balance the books.

“We are 100 per cent committed to continue to provide entertainment and are committed to bringing our supporters the success their support deserves.”

CHERRIES SEASON TICKET PRICES 2014-15

Adult: £480 (Family Stand), £480 (North Stand), £545 (Main Stand outer), £660 (Main Stand centre), £505 (East Stand outer), £570 (East Stand centre).

Concession: £285 (Family Stand), £285 (North Stand), £420 (Main Stand outer), £495 (Main Stand centre), £285 (East Stand outer), £420 (East Stand centre).

Junior Cherries: £100 (Family Stand), £100 (North Stand), £100 (Main Stand outer), £175 (Main Stand centre), £100 (East Stand outer), £175 (East Stand centre).

Family: £720 (two adults, two Junior Cherries), £660 (two adults, one Junior Cherry), £420 (one adult, two Junior Cherries), £360 (one adult, one Junior Cherry).

CHERRIES MATCHDAY TICKET PRICES 2014-15

Adult: £25 (North Stand), £29 (Main Stand outer), £35 (Main Stand centre), £26 (East Stand outer), £30 (East Stand centre), £43 (Executive), £26 (Away).

Concession: £14 (North Stand), £22 (Main Stand outer), £25 (Main Stand centre), £14 (East Stand outer), £22 (East Stand centre), £29 (Executive), £12 (Away).

Junior Cherries: £7 (North Stand), £7 (Main Stand outer), £12 (Main Stand centre), £7 (East Stand outer), £12 (East Stand centre), £18 (Executive).