Foxes Trust speak out over ticket prices

[Voll Blau]

Joined supporters groups from Liverpool, Everton, Spurs and Villa in making this statement.

 

Fair play to them.

 

 

Joint statement from Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Aston Villa Supporters' Trusts

Pop open the champagne corks. Ring the Guinness Book of Records. It's another record breaking achievement for the Premier League. No wonder it's celebrated with such fervour. £835 million spent in a single transfer window. Doesn't it leave with you with a warm, fuzzy feeling inside?

 

Oh wait, what? It doesn't? You mean you won't be celebrating? You don't get a trophy for this? But why is everyone talking about it? Richard Scudamore said: "Economically we've got 20 of the world's top 50 clubs now"? Surely that's worth something? 

Like us all, supporters around the country and across all leagues want their team to sign the best players. To win football matches. To win trophies. To see the best players win these trophies. It's what football is about. Yet they won't. Because increasingly, football is becoming unaffordable for many. More and more supporters face the choice - pay the extortionate prices or walk away from following their team.

As the headache from the summer spending begins to clear for many Chief Executives and billionaire club owners, and as millionaires wake up in a new city, supporters ask the same question - how can a game, rich with so much money, still be so greedy?

The greed is surely unquestionable. But for those who still aren't sure, here are a few facts. 

Supporters of Premier League clubs are meant to be grateful for the £200,000 set aside at each club for 'Away Fan's Initiatives' whilst a record £835 million was spent on transfer fees alone this summer, never mind agent fees and wages. That’s a total of 0.48% of what was spent on another millionaire. It's just 0.15% of the £2.7billion revenue clubs made in 2012/13 or 0.13% of the predicted £3.2billion in 2013/14. Worst still it is just 0.077% of the £5.218billion in a TV deal. 

We could go on. But the facts are clear. More money than ever before is in football yet it still goes in through one bank account and out to top up others people's already bulging bank balances. Supporters’ wallets remain empty. Supporters still find themselves getting nothing back. There is no 'Best Transfer Fee' trophy. No money back when a player is sold on. No real pride in new and increased sponsorship deals. Not even a token 1%.

It's time that changed. We don't need to tell the football authorities we are angry, they know we are. The politicians do too. They are failing to act. Those that pump money into football must realise the role they have to play. The TV broadcasters, the sponsors and the partners who want our custom must realise that it comes at a price. 

So between now and the next transfer window, our challenge is simple - work with us, the supporters, the lifeblood of the game. Help us to make football more affordable for all supporters. Use that enormous wealth to make it fairer on the millions who make it the game that it is. 


Spirit Of Shankly, Liverpool Supporters’ Union
Blue Union, Everton FC
Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust
Foxes Trust, Leicester City FC
Aston Villa Supporters Trust

 

https://www.thstofficial.com/thst-news/a-record-spend-but-what-about-supporters

[MooseBreath]

Bit of a weird statement that. Sounds like some nutty socialist ranting about bankers bonuses. It's all supply and demand. If you don't like it, the best thing you can do is to stop or suspend your funding of it. One mass walk out or one mass temporary sky TV cancellation might achieve something. A letter like this will do absolutely nothing while you're still routinely dipping into your pocket to fund the problem.

[Guest Papasmurf]

Joy, another ticket prices rant.

[Voll Blau]

Bit of a weird statement that. Sounds like some nutty socialist ranting about bankers bonuses. It's all supply and demand. If you don't like it, the best thing you can do is to stop or suspend your funding of it. One mass walk out or one mass temporary sky TV cancellation might achieve something. A letter like this will do absolutely nothing while you're still routinely dipping into your pocket to fund the problem.

 

While I agree to a certain degree, it's still good to see statements like this being made on behalf of more than just one set of fans. After all, activism is hardly a strong point for the average English football fan is it? You need to get people angry enough about the problem in the first place for some sort of mass action to work. At the moment, most folks are utterly apathetic about the fact they're being mugged off (see the fact we sold so many for Chelsea away).

[Fox92]

While I agree to a certain degree, it's still good to see statements like this being made on behalf of more than just one set of fans. After all, activism is hardly a strong point for the average English football fan is it? You need to get people angry enough about the problem in the first place for some sort of mass action to work. At the moment, most folks are utterly apathetic about the fact they're being mugged off (see the fact we sold so many for Chelsea away)

It's a tough one though isn't it. Chelsea was our first away game of the season, our first away game in the top flight in ten years, and it was at one of the bigger clubs.

It's all good and well saying, well we should just stop going as fans, but it's difficult when people want to watch their club.

I'm not disagreeing with you, for the record, I think it's disgraceful. I hate prices as much as I hate the PL and Sky but I think it's a difficult situation for the average fan.

[Voll Blau]

It's a tough one though isn't it. Chelsea was our first away game of the season, our first away game in the top flight in ten years, and it was at one of the bigger clubs.

It's all good and well saying, well we should just stop going as fans, but it's difficult when people want to watch their club.

I'm not disagreeing with you, for the record, I think it's disgraceful. I hate prices as much as I hate the PL and Sky but I think it's a difficult situation for the average fan.

 

That's the point I'm making. At the moment the balance is in favour of fans being happy to be held over a barrel. If the Trust had called for a mass boycott of the Chelsea game they'd have been completely ignored. Having more of a softly, softly approach could pay dividends in future and hopefully the balance will tip in supporters being favour of action rather than forking over their cash in future.

[Kitchandro]

Bit of a weird statement that. Sounds like some nutty socialist ranting about bankers bonuses. It's all supply and demand. If you don't like it, the best thing you can do is to stop or suspend your funding of it. One mass walk out or one mass temporary sky TV cancellation might achieve something. A letter like this will do absolutely nothing while you're still routinely dipping into your pocket to fund the problem.

 

Have to agree with this really.

 

They're saying all the right things but at the end of it, the most notable thing is it doesn't even offer up a solution. Surely they should at least propose something?

[Corky]

The problem you'll always have is those who refuse to pay a certain figure and those that support the club unconditionally, no matter the price.

 

The worst thing about ticket pricing is categories, every club should be charged the same.

[Jordan]

While I agree to a certain degree, it's still good to see statements like this being made on behalf of more than just one set of fans. After all, activism is hardly a strong point for the average English football fan is it? You need to get people angry enough about the problem in the first place for some sort of mass action to work. At the moment, most folks are utterly apathetic about the fact they're being mugged off (see the fact we sold so many for Chelsea away).

Angry? Problem? Mugged off?

The fans are having a tough time getting angry because there's nothing to be angry about.

There is no problem here.

The fans aren't being mugged off if they are choosing to pay these prices.

Getting people angry enough to take mass action? We talking about football here, right? Any fan that does feel "angry" about this ougjt to consider channeling that "anger" into something really positive and really worthwhile by giving one's time and support on Saturdays to grassroots football and/or a local non-league team, among other things.

[Foxhateram]

Fans are not important yo the income of a club. Ticket income is peanuts in the Grande scheme of things. We could all not turn up and the running if the club will only be effected by a small margin.

The game has moved, supporters are now a mere peasant in a raging war over one thing. Money. It's not even about football anymore.

Pay or miss it is what the clubs will say. That ultimatum will lead to fans still paying the ridiculous prices.

[lgfualol]

My champagne is opeh

[PAPA LAZAROU]

First season back in the big time and we sell out all our season tickets. what's left everyone scrambling for. Now wind on a couple of seasons if we are still in the prem. Continued rising prices no long sold out season tickets huge gaps on the terraces for the not so glamorous games, apathy creeping in even though we are a prem side ( mid table ) you don't think so ? well look at the clubs of our size already established in the Prem seats going begging in all of them apart from the top sides. Just look at the sky coverage where they try not to show the empty seats.

 

 

That is what will happen with us. Once the euphoria of being back in the top flight has worn off reality will kick in . Suddenly people who have had season tickets for the first time will realise they cannot afford that lay out year in year out and bit by bit will cry off renewing . Football is at it's height at the moment due to Sky world wide coverage and they don't give a sh*t about the price of tickets for the home and away fans, their money is TV rights and advertising.

 

The only way to stop being ripped off is to stage mass boycotts of live Sky games so the watching world will see and empty stadium . That is the only language they understand . But it's not going to happen . The fox trust and the others are not going to get militant , they are just going to issue useless pointless statements like this . Guess what guys Sky the clubs and no one else gives a fvck.

[Onions]

People are idiots.

 

They expect the club to spend 100m every window, but want to pay £5 for a ticket. 

 

If you are poor and can't afford to go, don't. 

[Vlad the Fox]

I fear its out the clubs hands. Rather than attacking the clubs they should be targeting the FA and premier league, eufa and fifa, if clubs want to survive they have to pay the transfer fees and salaries  and its going to be the supporters who pick up this tab as they struggle to balance books and stay within ftp while trying to compete. Salary caps and maximum transfer fees would be a step in the right direction.

[Hirsty The Blue 94]

People are idiots.

 

They expect the club to spend 100m every window, but want to pay £5 for a ticket. 

 

If you are poor and can't afford to go, don't. 

This statement is so ridiculous I'm half confusing it for jest.

Premier League clubs revenue is completely different from lower level football. The ticket revenue is largely meaningless for a club of Premier League stature, so they could charge a tenner or fifty quid and the accountant would hardly notice the difference.

Bayern's President made a very good point when saying how they only charge 150 quid a season ticket as it results in a loss of around 3 million a season on what they could charge, which would be negotiated over a transfer fee in about 2 minutes. This money is nothing to the club but everything to the fan. 

Very easy to say if you can't afford it don't go, but if there were a day that you were priced out of something you loved and have been doing every Saturday for X amount of years then I'm sure you wouldn't have such a Black & White attitude. 

[Dan]

The problem you'll always have is those who refuse to pay a certain figure and those that support the club unconditionally, no matter the price.

 

The worst thing about ticket pricing is categories, every club should be charged the same.

 

Agree. The amount the likes of Man City get charged actually puts me off hoping we ever become a top side.

[ozleicester]

Cant believe that people defend or at least excuse this exploitation of fans.

 

Ticket prices are just a few percent of income and the cost or benefit of dropping them or raising them is negligible in the overall outcome.

 

Since 1980, the average wage in the UK has gone from 115 pounds per week (6000 per year) to 500 per week (26,000) per year.  an increase of around 500%

 

Since 1980 the average cost of going to a football match has gone from 3 pounds a week, to more than 30 pounds a week (assuming one game a week) an increase of (at least) 1000%

[Jordan]

Cant believe that people defend or at least excuse this exploitation of fans.

Ticket prices are just a few percent of income and the cost or benefit of dropping them or raising them is negligible in the overall outcome.

Since 1980, the average wage in the UK has gone from 115 pounds per week (6000 per year) to 500 per week (26,000) per year. an increase of around 500%

Since 1980 the average cost of going to a football match has gone from 3 pounds a week, to more than 30 pounds a week (assuming one game a week) an increase of (at least) 1000%

One can find analogous trends in many other industries--especially industries where leading companies are criticized for passing more costs to consumers while earning massive profits.

The cost of going to see a film. Bank fees. Real estate (particularly in and around London). Cable television. The list can go on and on...

I am not English, but I can see that football really does have a special place in your country's history and popular culture... perhaps that place is taken for granted these days. However, the matter at hand is not just a football phenomenon--it's something that's happening in almost every area of your lives. How can football change when so much of everything else is also having its own "Premier League" effect?

[ozleicester]

One can find analogous trends in many other industries--especially industries where leading companies are criticized for passing more costs to consumers while earning massive profits.

The cost of going to see a film. Bank fees. Real estate (particularly in and around London). Cable television. The list can go on and on...

I am not English, but I can see that football really does have a special place in your country's history and popular culture... perhaps that place is taken for granted these days. However, the matter at hand is not just a football phenomenon--it's something that's happening in almost every area of your lives. How can football change when so much of everything else is also having its own "Premier League" effect?

 

My major point was that people defend them doing it, it is as you say ...the way of things, but i dont understand why people defend or just ignore it.

 

I agree with much of what you say, the impotants difference is (for me at least) is that unlike, banks movies etc, these are local clubs who know their support base and they risk the possiblity of losing that and lets be honest, while sky may pay the bills that is because people pay sky to watch, if local clubs (ie anyone outside of the big 5-6) lose local fans, others are not going to be there to replace them, i can tell you and im sure you know, there arent many Hull, Swansea and Leicester fans... outside of those areas.

 

An empty KP on a saturday afternoon is not going to create much of a saleable atmosphere for Sky even if they are playing a "big team".

 

But yes, your right, prices go up and some outstrip others, i just dont think we should be having a go at people who (in whatever way) are trying to do something about it.

[C-man]

Really is galling to see so many people go out of their way to defend clubs (and the FA/PL) whilst slating others for doing something about what is a very serious problem in English football.

Fair enough that multi-trust statement was a bit wishy-washy and didn't really propose any future action but it's a start. Future collective bargaining power of fans is our only hope at this stage.

Sadly there's no incentive for a club like Chelsea, for example, to ever lower their prices and the same people paying £50 this year will probably find £75 acceptable in five years' time. If they don't, nevermind; there'll always be football tourists to take any boycotters' seats.

Truly is tragic the way the average football fan has bought into the fact that their club has no social responsibility (i.e. rid the grounds of the poorest fans and there'll be no hooliganism because we all know that only poor people can be hools). It's almost as if the same idiots believe there's still an actual link between how much your team spend on transfers and wages and what gate receipts they get

For me the solution is clear:

- Offer a safe standing area with season tickets at £200 for adults, and 1,000 general sale tickets at £15 per game.

- Recoup the rest off those who have spent the last x number of years defending the club's 'charge what we like, we don't give a fvck' policy.

[shade]

players like falcao really should be on £1,000,000 a week and a match day ticket should cost £150+. the premier league is brilliant.

[purpleronnie]

My champagne is opeh

I think you've had too much already.

[howlinmadmurfdoc]

My season ticket is £20.79 a game. I'm pleased with that.

[MC Prussian]

People are idiots.

 

They expect the club to spend 100m every window, but want to pay £5 for a ticket. 

 

If you are poor and can't afford to go, don't. 

Typical Onions nonsense.

 

Only the deluded expect our club to spend £100m every year.

And there's even less people with that stance wanting to dish out only £5 a ticket.

 

People can pick and choose, and that doesn't really depend on your income.

If you're smart enough to save some money, you can go and see a match more or less regularly no matter how much you earn.

[6ups 6downs 2 cups]

Problem is while attendances are still high nothing will really change, we are probably at the high point now in terms of pricing. The next TV deal is likely to dwarf the latest one as it's a bloody battle between Sky and BT.You would hope prices for tickets will remain static given the tv money coming in.