London Irish
Well-known member
FANS WILL STAY AWAY, CLAIMS SURVEY
More than 200,000 football fans will not renew their season tickets this summer, according to a survey released today.
The survey, conducted on behalf of Virgin Money, shows 29% of the country’s estimated 690,000 season ticket holders will not be renewing with the rising costs of following their team and the poor quality of football on offer the main reasons.
Nineteen per cent of Manchester United fans asked in the survey said they will not renew because of the cost, while 31% of Aston Villa season-ticket holders consulted said they will be absent next campaign because of the standard of football on display.
Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: ‘‘We’ve been begging clubs to peg ticket price rises for ages now. It appears that if this research proves correct our worst fears will be proved correct.
‘‘Football in this country is simply pricing itself out of the market compared to other top European countries like Germany and Spain.
‘‘With the new money coming into football from the newly announced Premier League television deals there should be a price freeze on tickets at a minimum.’’
Virgin Money estimate the total spent per season by football fans across Britain is a staggering £8.8billion, with season-ticket holders spending an average of £1,875 each a season.
Percentages of season-ticket holders not intending to renew next season: Due to cost: Man Utd 19%, Birmingham 18%, West Brom 17%, Cardiff 16%, Portsmouth 14%.
Due to standard of football: Villa 31%, Millwall 29%, Wolves 28%, Southampton 27%, Sunderland 26%.
The survey was conducted by Football Fans’ Census, who interviewed a representative sample of 2,789 football fans online between April 12 and 23 on behalf.
More than 200,000 football fans will not renew their season tickets this summer, according to a survey released today.
The survey, conducted on behalf of Virgin Money, shows 29% of the country’s estimated 690,000 season ticket holders will not be renewing with the rising costs of following their team and the poor quality of football on offer the main reasons.
Nineteen per cent of Manchester United fans asked in the survey said they will not renew because of the cost, while 31% of Aston Villa season-ticket holders consulted said they will be absent next campaign because of the standard of football on display.
Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: ‘‘We’ve been begging clubs to peg ticket price rises for ages now. It appears that if this research proves correct our worst fears will be proved correct.
‘‘Football in this country is simply pricing itself out of the market compared to other top European countries like Germany and Spain.
‘‘With the new money coming into football from the newly announced Premier League television deals there should be a price freeze on tickets at a minimum.’’
Virgin Money estimate the total spent per season by football fans across Britain is a staggering £8.8billion, with season-ticket holders spending an average of £1,875 each a season.
Percentages of season-ticket holders not intending to renew next season: Due to cost: Man Utd 19%, Birmingham 18%, West Brom 17%, Cardiff 16%, Portsmouth 14%.
Due to standard of football: Villa 31%, Millwall 29%, Wolves 28%, Southampton 27%, Sunderland 26%.
The survey was conducted by Football Fans’ Census, who interviewed a representative sample of 2,789 football fans online between April 12 and 23 on behalf.
It is a shame we have such high prices but I understand why. But as Turkey says, that doesn't pay for it.
