Why football fans are saying Auf Wiedersehen to the Premier League

[Floating Fox]

A growing number of Premier League fans have had their fill of rising season-ticket prices funding new Ferraris for overpaid primadonnas. They have decided to seek cheaper football thrills further afield - in the German Bundesliga, to be precise, where they can watch teams such as Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin for as little as €8 (£6.30) a match.

To put that into perspective, recent figures estimated the average cost of a Chelsea game at £102, including ticket, transport, merchandise and refreshments, closely followed by Arsenal at £92 and Tottenham at £84.

Disgruntled former Chelsea fan John Peters, 46, explains: "I had been going to Chelsea on and off for about 10 years when a friend recommended that a few of us flew out to the Bundesliga. The experience was like going back in time to the terraces of the 70s. You are allowed to stand up and smoke fags, and a bloke with a beer siphon attached to his back will happily refill your glass for £1 a pint."

Arnold Smith, another former Chelsea supporter, has also made the switch. "More and more of us are sharing information on cheap flights, accommodation and foreign teams worth watching. It's possible to get a return flight and stay overnight for £60. The last time I went, it only cost a fiver to get into a Borussia Dortmund game. That's a total of £65."

The phenomenon has also seen the formation of an official, Cheshire-based supporters' club of 1.FC Nuremberg. Their constitution states that, as well as supporting Nuremberg, fans must drink beer and eat bratwurst.

Germany's football season starts in August but if its retro charm doesn't appeal there are plenty of other options within the EU, such as Spain's La Liga, home to Barcelona and Valencia. Andrew Cummings, a British fan based in Valencia, says: "My season ticket cost £200 and it's possible to get a single ticket a day in advance for between €15 and €20. More of my family and friends have started coming to matches in Spain as it's a cheaper alternative to English football."

So if, come August, you notice that there are a few more empty seats than usual in your home stadium, it might be that the absent fans are over in Hamburg, clutching a cheap beer and trying to get a better view from behind a portly German with an enormous mullet.

Link.

[lildave3]

Rather biased article no?

There is no doubt it's cheaper, but why does it include refreshments/merchandise for the premier league and not the bundesliga? It's not like you have to pay for that anyway.

[Floating Fox]

Rather biased article no?

There is no doubt it's cheaper, but why does it include refreshments/merchandise for the premier league and not the bundesliga? It's not like you have to pay for that anyway.

Yeah I noticed that. I'm not going to complain though

I'd guess the way shirts in the Premiership are viewed as a fashion statement. In Germany they'd sooner rather have 3 scarfs drapped over hands/necks. Shirts are actually quite dear over there!

[act smiley]

Going off on a tangent, but I've always been facinated by how for the smallest of teams, having a replica shirt is seen as a dedicated thing, yet for teams at the top its a gloryhunter thing. I've always wondered where the tipping point between the two is.

As for the article, yeah, its got a really strong slant. Nice to see the media actually dare to put up something criticising the Premier League, though.

[purpleronnie]

Replica shirts = shit

Doesn't matter who you support.

[Manwell Pablo]

Been doing this for awhile, going Italy this year, hopefully for awhile on my redundancy money. Not worked out exactly how Im doing it yet but I would think it will include a visit to the San Siro.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Been doing this for awhile, going Italy this year, hopefully for awhile on my redundancy money. Not worked out exactly how Im doing it yet but I would think it will include a visit to the San Siro.

Went to the San Siro a couple of years ago to watch Milan v Shakhtar. Quite heavy police presence outside the ground.

I was like a younger Danny Dyer, absolutely shitting it.

[Maybes]

I would consider going to a bundesliga game if i could get a cheap enough flight and it didnt class with a city game.

[Uncle Albert]

Think I am going to a PSV game in October if they are playing at home in the week I am in Germany. Closer to go to PSV games than most Bundesliga games, except Monchenglabach.

[Lovejoy]

Me and a mate have been talking about going to a Bundesliga game this year. His brother went to a Hertha Berlin game last season and said it was class.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I would consider going to a bundesliga game if i could get a cheap enough flight and it didnt class with a city game.

Most Bundesliga matches are scattered across the weekend, a bit like the Prem. Usually one on Friday, six on Saturday, and two on Sunday.

Went to see Borussia Dortmund last season, and have been a few seaons before that. Never heard anything like it before.

[Simi]

Andy - the next trip, get me involved.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Sexay.

[Durnerz]

I too want to be a part of these atmosphere, i'm very keen to get into the world of foreign football, travelling with Englands nobs doesnt really appeal as much as having a nice week(end) away in different surroundings doing what you love most and seeing how its done on the continent. Dortmund is a destination i'm keen on.

[lildave3]

Foxestalk trip to Germany 2010

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I too want to be a part of these atmosphere, i'm very keen to get into the world of foreign football, travelling with Englands nobs doesnt really appeal as much as having a nice week(end) away in different surroundings doing what you love most and seeing how its done on the continent. Dortmund is a destination i'm keen on.

Get it done. You'll be totally underwhelmed the next time you go see City. The Germans are so fooking friendly and hospitable as well.

Foxestalk trip to Germany 2010

[Uncle Albert]

Foxestalk trip to Germany 2010

Good shout.

[Ashley]

Sexay.

How steep is that stand

[Darkzzz_]

Been doing this for awhile, going Italy this year, hopefully for awhile on my redundancy money. Not worked out exactly how Im doing it yet but I would think it will include a visit to the San Siro.

You should 100% do the San Siro.

You will love it, I went to the Derby della Madonnina and it was something else.

Milan 3-4 Inter(great night)

Only paid £18 for the ticket, somebody I know lives there. Job done!!

Need any help sorting a ticket let me know.

[lildave3]

My biggest dream in football watching is to go and see Boca at La Bombonera.

It's unlikely it'll ever happen though.

[Father Ted]

I think that in virtually all of the European countries bar England is it a good atmosphere.

There are many reasons why atmosphere's are poor here. You can go anywhere in Europe and you can find a better atmosphere than most games at the Walkers.

[lildave3]

I think that in virtually all of the European countries bar England is it a good atmosphere.

There are many reasons why atmosphere's are poor here. You can go anywhere in Europe and you can find a better atmosphere than most games at the Walkers.

No, I hear Spain is shit.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

My biggest dream in football watching is to go and see Boca at La Bombonera.

It's unlikely it'll ever happen though.

The great thing about Argy football is that they actually encourage an atmosphere. Before the River / Boca clash, money can be donated by both fans towards materials (coloured card, confetti etc.) for the day itself.

That and the fact that the Bombonera is virtually built on top of the pitch.

[Shrenchel]

No, I hear Spain is shit.

Eh? You being serious...?!

[lildave3]

Eh? You being serious...?!

Yeah. For the big games it's alright, but for the lesser games it's not that good.

Allegedly.

Don't hold me to this.