The idea behind concessions for older people is based on the assumption that they are less well off than younger, working age people. It is not a reward for loyalty or simply attaining an advanced age (concession prices apply to anyone of that age, not just people who can prove they have been attending for a long time).
This is an outdated trope. Now we have an older generation who have paid off their mortgages and may have the benefit of something like a final salary pension, situations which the younger generations can only dream of now.
The idea that being older automatically means you are less well off may no longer apply in all circumstances, though it certainly will for others. So in some people you will have them in a financially better position AND getting a discounted ticket. Across a number of industries this has been reflected in decreases in concession discounts. The idea is to redress the balance that younger people have less disposable income these days as compared to days gone by.
I obviously can't speak on behalf of the club, but I am aware that this has been the approach in other industries, and it is not seen as discriminatory to change the level of discount given.
Of course, this is not true of all people, and some older people have been hit particularly hard, and possibly the hardest, by the state of the country and the increase in costs. But the issue with a blanket concession price is that you have to account for everyone under one banner.
I suspect that the concessions for disabled people are simply in line with other concessions. This is not an approach I favour, because disabled persons are not by definition older, and so they do not necessarily fall within the scope of the new financial demographics caused by the cost of living and housing crisis in this country.
As such, while price increases are never popular, increased prices need to be met. And businesses need to meet them by sharing the load as best they can across their customers they believe can best bear it. No decision will be universally popular.
Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.