Posted on 7th March 2013
This is a story from the FSF archive – the FSF and SD merged to become the FSA in 2019.
If you’ve not heard about our Twenty’s Plenty campaign aimed at reducing the cost of away tickets, where have you been? The campaign calls upon football clubs at all levels of the game to recognise and reward the amazing contribution of away fans by getting together to agree an across the board price cap on away match tickets of £20 (£15 for concessions).
While it was the Man City fans who chose to boycott their away match at Arsenal back in January that got a great deal of media attention, baulking at paying £62 for their away tickets, it’s not just the north London club that are coming in for criticism at their pricing arrangements thanks to FSF National Council member Ian Todd.
We’re sure the majority of fans would be more than happy at paying no more than £20 for a ticket, but it’s important to stress that as part of the campaign we want to make sure that concessions should still receive a discount on the cost of entry, whatever the price.
It’s widely accepted in society, whether you’re talking about train and bus fares or cinema tickets, that those without a wage or least able to afford goods or services aren’t forced to pay the full fare, whether they are children or OAPs. Ian, who falls into the latter group rather than the former, is making his own personal stand on ticket prices.
As first reported on excellent Sunderland blog Salut Sunderland, in a letter to Sunderland’s ticket office, copied to QPR’s Chief Executive, Ian points out the iniquity of QPR’s pricing structure and why he will not be attending Sunderland’s fixture at Loftus Road.
“I am registered under the Voucher 62 arrangement to receive a ticket for every away game. However, I am disgusted at the price being charged by QPR for Over 65s… An admission price of £40 (ie a reduction of a mere £5) is scandalous and invidious.
“This on the day when tickets go on sale for our game at Chelsea with a 50 percent reduction for Over 65s – ie £16.50 cheaper than at Loftus Road.
“Ironically, this game is the nearest to my home address but I feel I must protest at the admission price I’m being expected to pay. I hope you will therefore accept my wish not to receive a ticket for the QPR game and for you to resume the Voucher 62 service for the Chelsea and subsequent away games.”
At the time of writing Ian had (perhaps unsurprisingly) yet to receive a response from QPR, but it’s important that fans continue to raise these points, both with their clubs and opponents, to get across the strength of feeling on this issue.
On a related note it was great to see this banner produced by Liverpool fans in the away end at Wigan on Saturday. Keeping the issue of ticket prices in the public consciousness is key to realising the aims of the campaign. Well done to them.
Keep your eyes peeled on the FSF site for more news on Twenty’s Plenty and what you can do to support the campaign in the coming weeks.
Brentford, QPR and Wolves are the latest clubs to confirm they will have safe standing areas – and more clubs are expected to follow next season as the Government has confirmed that Premier League and Championship clubs can introduce standing during 2022/23.
Yesterday supporters from fan groups in the FSA’s League One & Two Network gave evidence to the government’s fan-led review. The chair, Tracey Crouch MP, and the rest of the panel heard from a number of supporters’ trusts and fan groups about the big issues in the third and fourth tiers.
The cost of attending the World Cup final has gone up again – with FIFA revealing ticket prices 46% higher than its previous tournament making it the most expensive World Cup to date.
West Ham United supporters are boycotting food and drink at the London Stadium in a stand against price hikes introduced by the ground’s caterers.
