The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

Question of the Week

Is football a business or a sport?




 

Away Day Blues

By: Nick Osborne
Date: 17/03/2003

HAVING gone through season after season of being 'Ripped off' by opposing clubs, I have come to the conclusion that Ticket Pricing for away fans needs something of an overhaul.

When you look around other clubs in the 1st Division, our own prices are more favourable in general. Even for the away supporters.

While we have no control over pricing policies at any club, why is it always the away fans who have to pay top notch prices for tickets?

I seem to remember something of a revamp by the FA a few years ago. Though forgetting the full details it went along the lines of 'prices had to be the same for home and away supporters' This of course was common sense, but I believe they included a clause that said they could charge more for away fans if they offered comparable facilities in the away end that are also available at a higher price in the home end. This of course, was just a ploy for Clubs to upgrade the facilities that were available to travelling supporters, who more often than not, had to suffer far worse conditions than the home fans.

Another thing that happens to away supporters is overpricing when 'paying on the gate'. This of course is nothing short of a rip off. There are many many supporters who work shifts, and as such, are unable to purchase tickets in advance. These supporters are always the ones who have to pay an extra few pounds for not being able to predict whether they can travel or not until the last minute.

Looking at our next away fixture, which is Rotherham, they are charging an extra 2 pounds if you didn't purchase a ticket prior to matchday. How can they justify that? And to be fair to Rotherham, it isn't just them, lots of clubs do this.

I have noticed over the years that all our Yorkshire rivals subscribe to such a pricing policy. Obviously its more easier to travel to these clubs so its more easier to notice, though its not my intention to single them out on their own.I am just using them as a example.

Another 'rip off' by the opposition is concessions. Going along the same lines as purchasing tickets in advance, many clubs withdraw concession prices when paying on the gate. Surely that cant be fair? If nothing else, it penalises those who wish to travel but are unable to make arrangements until the last minute.

With the travelling supporters obviously incurring more costs to attend games, shouldn't the FA, and indeed all Clubs, implement a fairer scheme than is currently on offer. A fair price for all, including concessions that are available before matchday, should also be available on the day.


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