FSF fan protest - Norwich City (A)

[Union FS]

http://www.unionfs.co.uk/fsf-fan-protest---norwich--a-.html

On Thursday 27 August, it was announced that Norwich City would charge Leicester City fans £35 for the privilege of visiting Carrow Road in October 2015.

Given the fears surrounding what price Norwich would charge City fans - exacerbated by the £40 plus cash Stoke City and Bournemouth fans have had to part with - the news came somewhat as a relief. It later emerged that Leicester City Football Club had used some of the Away Supporters' Initiative Fund to reduce the cost for each Leicester fan by £10, from the originally listed £45 outlay.

The Club's intentions in doing so were wholly positive and done for the right reasons - to get more Leicester fans to a game. This has certainly been a success and the Club should be thanked for saving over 2,800 fans a tenner.

That said, Union FS find it wholly disheartening that the Club's hands were forced in such a way. The notion of an Away Supporters' Initiative fund is in danger of becoming at best a gimmick and at worst a method of recycling cash from fans' hands into the pockets of Premier League clubs - Norwich have still got their £45.

Furthermore, it is a core belief of Union FS that £35, and definitely £45, is still too much for a game of football, in particular for the away fans who give so much time, money and effort to follow their team and contribute the majority of the atmosphere at professional fixtures in England.

Some fans might not necessarily agree, and individuals should not be told how to spend their hard-earned. As such, calls for total boycotts in the UK are largely unsuccessful.

That said, a solution must be found.

For decades football had a problem with inclusivity, or lack there-of, reflective of society in general and a growing hooligan element.

Football still has a problem with inclusivity. Fans from disadvantaged backgrounds and those on a low-to-medium level of income are completely excluded from many football clubs across the country, as clubs pander to corporate backing and cash cow supporters with endless disposable income.

As a staple part of the community, football clubs must realise their privileged position in being able to do great things for the people of the towns and cities they represent.

The fightback begins on Saturday 3 October, as every set of Premier League fans - led by the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) - will demonstrate against ever increasing ticket prices across the course of the weekend.

As City fans, we call on those making the trip to Norwich to join Union FS and the FSF in this protest, whilst supporting the boys in blue with everything you have.

Union FS are planning to meet in the Compleat Angler (by the train station in Norwich) at 1pm before making the short walk to Carrow Road, together as a group, at around 1.50pm to meet fans of Norwich for a joint show of solidarity. We would love you to join us.

We would encourage you all to take the time to make home made banners for the occasion. Just think, what does high ticket pricing mean to you?

Please contact Union FS via here, social media or e-mail at [email protected] if you would like to take part.

Thank you for your support - enjoy the game tonight.

Union FS

[purpleronnie]

I just find it odd that a load of football fans are protesting at these games after paying the ticket prices.

[Union FS]

I just find it odd that a load of football fans are protesting at these games after paying the ticket prices.

Admittedly it's not an ideal situation, and we made that point clear to the FSF when the plans were discussed.

That said, the point of this is not Norwich price-specific. The point is to show solidarity as a league of fans and gain momentum as a movement.

[brisfox]

I will be there. Great idea

[Jam]

Great idea. Fully support it.

[Guest MattP]

I'm with Purpleronnie here.

It just looks ridiculous to actually pay it and then protest about it.

Norwich won't care, they got their money.

[blueonyou]

Agreed

The best way to protest this is to not go to the game and not pay the prices

Otherwise I'm sure everyone is intelligent enough to understand football is a commercial enterprise and that's life, though I do suspect some think it's a public service sometimes

[Wymsey]

A bit daft in all honesty, due to agreeing with above comments, sorry.

[filbertstreet]

I disagree with the agreeing about disagreeing

[CKB]

It's kinda saying I'm not a racist and then walking around in a KKK outfit

Surely there would have been a better way then paying and then protesting about paying it?

[Christoph]

I think people are being a bit cynical here. It might not change anything and it will all be a waste of time....OR maybe it willl raise awareness and help keep the ball rolling on ridiculous prices for away tickets fans have to play.

 

I dont see the harm in trying 

[ScouseFox]

never ever going to be a mass boycott, and if groups of 100 or even 500 somehow managed to get together to protest then another 500 would buy the spare tickets anyway. 

 

"protesting" is better than nothing. good luck. 

[Guest MattP]

All it does if you sell out is prove that there still isn't enough supply for demand whatever the price.

As usual Union FS have made a series of excellent points well written but it's a pointless battle to fight while the away end is full.

I remember Arsenal doing a protest at Chelsea about 1999 because tickets had reached something like 30 quid. It's more than double that now because they'll have sold out ever since and probably will continue to do so.

[CKB]

I think people are being a bit cynical here. It might not change anything and it will all be a waste of time....OR maybe it willl raise awareness and help keep the ball rolling on ridiculous prices for away tickets fans have to play.

I dont see the harm in trying

Trying is good but surely there could have been other ways? Like NCFC are gonna give a toss when people paid anyway?

It just all seems abit pointless?

[Al-aLondon-Foxile]

There's a bigger picture, begin by protesting against ticket prices which will raise awareness to the level of feeling amongst the fans. If that doesn't work then in the longer term it may be necessary to boycott matches. Not sure I'll be able to join in pre match on this occasion, but I agree with the sentiment and support your efforts. Well done UFS.

[Christoph]

Trying is good but surely there could have been other ways? Like NCFC are gonna give a toss when people paid anyway?

It just all seems abit pointless?

 

Perhaps not. The way I see it is. IT only takes one camera man to take a photo of a large enough group to write an article in the paper. That article hypothetically may generate enough interest from other fans to do their own protests. 

 

People are right...if you dont buy the tickets it wont stop anyone buying them instead so a standing protest might be the better 2nd choice where you can at least get noticed and possibly get put on camera.

 

Not that i'll actually be protesting or anything  

[Rich Fox]

If I've shelled out £35 and paid a lot of money in travel and drinks etc I don't want it spooling by some protest being held, agree about prices but it's selfish to expect loyal fans who've shelled out to be expected to take part in some sort of Demo.

Must be another way to support this

[CKB]

Perhaps not. The way I see it is. IT only takes one camera man to take a photo of a large enough group to write an article in the paper. That article hypothetically may generate enough interest from other fans to do their own protests.

People are right...if you dont buy the tickets it wont stop anyone buying them instead so a standing protest might be the better 2nd choice where you can at least get noticed and possibly get put on camera.

Not that i'll actually be protesting or anything

True I guess it won't harm anyone in the end but let's face it these protests have happened with many clubs over the years over a number of issues and hardly anything gets changed and rarely does it get much coverage

[AndWhat?]

If I've shelled out £35 and paid a lot of money in travel and drinks etc I don't want it spooling by some protest being held, agree about prices but it's selfish to expect loyal fans who've shelled out to be expected to take part in some sort of Demo.

Must be another way to support this

Have you actually read what Union FS have posted?

What do you think they are asking you to do?

[Guest bss9401]

The fan's at norich, home and away are paying for their screw up and relegation two seasons ago. They kept a lot of their higher earners and gambled on being promoted straight back. It is a sickening reflection on modern football. If away fans boycotted norich, they would have lots of notice from returned tickets and would just sell them to home fans. Away fans cannot win at such a clown show. Just completely boycott the inbred farmer's hole of a stadium.

[sdb]

...but people haven't paid the price for the tickets? They've paid a tenner less?

 

Good idea. I see Stoke and Newcastle have agreed to price their fixture's tickets at £20 max this season. Great work.

[Fox92]

Knew this was coming, got an email from FSF a few weeks back about the date. I'm going so I'd support whatever protest we're doing. Would like to see us take a banner or two.

[ramboacdc]

not going the game but want to help is there anything i can do?

[tylesta]

Boycott the game buying the tickets then protesting?

[Finnaldo]

If everyone who had a ticket didn't buy one, I assure you it would of sold out from another wave of Leicester fans anyway. Even if it didn't, the whole stadium could be empty every week they'd easily make up the loss with a fraction of TV money. It's not worth it boycotting.

Good luck Union FS, fan awareness is the best way. Get fans uniting and get a concentrated campaign going!