Football fans stand up to ‘ridiculous’ ticket-price hikes that border on antipathy
Premier League supporters are fighting to retain concession prices in the face of clubs’ desire to target ‘tourist fans’
For West Ham supporters it was a sense of values betrayed. “The club should be ashamed that things have come to this,” said Michael, a supporter for 80 years, as he became the 20,000th signatory on a petition calling for the club to maintain all concessionary ticketing. For Spurs fans, a similar shock boiled down to a crystalised slogan – “Save our seniors” – and a pushback on plans related to reduced ticket prices. This month Manchester United supporters took to the streets to protest against concession cuts and price rises. As one banner put it: “Local lad Sir Jim charges £66 for OAPs and juniors. Stop exploiting loyalty.”
At a time when the Premier League is cementing its dominance as the world’s biggest domestic football league, securing a 17% increase in TV rights over the next three-year cycle while their rivals stand still, a spate of seemingly mindless penny-pinching has sparked dissent. The mood, involving supporters up and down the country, is one that hasn’t been seen since the Super League blew up.
