UNITED fans have hit out at the club for increasing ticket prices in the face of a global recession.
The Reds have increased their season ticket prices by £1 a match for next season - but have also failed to hand on the government's recent VAT reduction, which means fans face an average increase of nearly five per cent.
That bucks the trend of Premier League clubs, several of whom have already announced price freezes and reductions for next season.
And Sean Bones, vice-chair of the supporters trust MUST said: "It's extremely disappointing that at a time when United supporters are struggling to come to terms with the economic situation, and other football clubs are responding by freezing and even reducing prices, that (United owners) the Glazers have again decided to hike prices above the rate of inflation.
"It has been said in the past that the owners of the club, will squeeze United supporters until the pips squeak, and this is clearly the case.
"Earlier in the year, the goverment gave a 2.5 per cent reduction to the price of VAT on tickets.
"The Glazers have absorbed this benefit and added more increases on top.”
A United spokesman said: “We are still on average turning away nearly 5,000 people per game and more for bigger games like City, Arsenal and Liverpool, and we believe it represents good value for money.”
Disappointing
News of the increases came a day after United had been given the green light to continue with their compulsory automatic cup scheme.
The scheme forces season ticket holders to also buy tickets for FA Cup and Champions League games.
Now Bones is calling on the government to intervene and for prices to be brought into line with those on the continent at United’s Champions League rivals.
“The Glazers have a captive market of United supporters and are abusing the fact that they are in a monopoly position – there is no choice but to pay these prices if you want to watch your team play,” he added.
“English supporters are treated very badly compared to their counterparts in countries like Germany, Italy, France and Spain.
“MUST believes it’s time for the government to step in and help fans in the face of such blatant exploitation.”
In the past, United have claimed that their prices compare favourably to those of Chelsea and Arsenal but both those clubs have announced price freezes for next season, along with Wigan Athletic.
Manchester City will cut prices by seven per cent and Bolton, West Ham, Sunderland, Everton and Blackburn will also reduce admission prices as the recession bites.
Other clubs, such as Liverpool, have not yet announced their prices.
The news of the increases comes hard on the heels of news that the Reds can continue to operate the compulsory automatic cup scheme, which forces season ticket holders to buy tickets for all FA Cup and Champions League ties.
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If the ticket prices are too much - then you dont HAVE to go. Of course a reduction would be wonderful, but £1 a match is hardly going to break the bank of the staunchest supporter. Anyway - if you want to hit back - hit them where it REALLY hurts. Dont buy anything from the shops while your there!!!
AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER AT MUFC THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN EXPECTED - BUT A VERY POOR SHOW BY THOSE AT THE CLUB AND THOSE THAT ADVISE THE CLUB. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A WAITING LIST FOR SEASON TICKETS AND NO DOUBT BASE THIS LATEST PRICE RISE ON SUPPLY AND DEMAND. FOOTBALL IN ENGLAND IS WALKING A VERY THIN LINE - THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD - BUT IT HAS BEEN INFLATION LED BY CLUBS BUYING PLAYERS WITH MONEY THAT HAS NOT BEEN EARNED FROM FOOTBALL - INFLATION WILL BRING ABOUT THE IMPLOSION OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE - WHICH WILL FALL OFF THAT FINE LINE !! IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MUCH A BOTTLE OF 'BUD' GOES UP NEXT SEASON - THE CURRENT £3 A GO IS NO DOUBT CONSIDERED A BARGAIN BY THE CLUB !
Well someone´s got to pay for all those wags Le Boutin heels & Prada handbags!
Let's be honest,Manchester United have always tried to squeeze as much out of every follower/supporter of the club as they possibly could.
This latest exercise is nothing new it's just that the average guy is getting mightily tired of the 'fat cats' getting fatter whilst they struggle to make ends meet.
It stinks ! How many more seasons can big business continue getting away with this? If the Glazers are in such a financial mess then the sooner they ship out the better !
Come on utd fans stop bleating. There are plenty of other clubs from non league to premiership within a few minutes drive that would happily provide you with an entertaining match and not rip you off. Vote with your feet. I support a local lower division team and it gives me far more enjoyment than going to Old Trafford.
Is this the final straw that breaks the camel's back?
Do all the cup games increase at the same rate?
Someone is having a laugh.
I don't think I'll be renewing mine.
I wonder at what point it becomes feasible to stop referring to Manchester United as a 'club' in all communications? It's already off the club crest, and the continual pushing to marginalise average, working supporters would suggest that there is no longer any emphasis on family football whatsoever. To what 'club' does any Manchester United fan belong, unless you're contractually bound to take up your corporate class seats and commit your half time to 'networking' amongst the chattering classes. The only club mentality is in the pubs around the ground as far as I can see or hear.
We all know that this isn't new, Manchester United have always sought to make the most of their assets, a policy which has brought undoubted financial and sporting success. It's also true that people can walk away if they want to, but there needs to be some honesty from Manchester United as they seek to offload their unprofitable assets - long-term season ticket holders.
They cannot guarantee value for money to any 'customer', regardless of how many people they turn away for each game. At what threshold does 90 minutes of sport cease to be worth paying for? They will continue to put up prices, season on season, without apology or reason until an independent body steps in to deem it unfair. They refuse to listen to appeal or suggestion from fans, the people to whom they should credit with no little contribution to the success of the club.
I don't know anyone who values their relationship with the club on a personal level, it's only the businesses who use the club for business that appear to be content in paying increasing ticket prices - there are no dissenting voices there. On this basis I think we can assume that individual, loyal fans and families who are likely to find this hard to swallow aren't part of Manchester United's long term plans.
The nickname obv gives away which side of town I'm on. However I have every sympathy with the 'real reds'.
Utd are simply cashing in on the facts - which are :
'Real reds' - wherever they come from, will pay whatever they can afford/borrow etc to watch their team, as I would for City.
Those that drop out will always be replaced by the 'corporates, tourists and glory hunters' who only go to one or two matches a season and therefore would probably even pay another £20 for their ticket - as its only a one off.
Lets face it there seem to be plenty that go to games now as a weekend break with hotel etc., buying tickets through agencies at inflated prices.
So an increase of £1 will not even be noticed...........
Eventually though the corporates, etc., will ship off to some other sport that catches their imagination, and football will have to re-adjust big time.
an absolute disgrace,i,m a blue and i,m happy at most things that means upset for you rags but in this i think unity is the right road,reds protest this should not be allowed
I will not be renewing my season ticket for one simple reason. I cannot now afford it! I will watch the Reds with a number of others from the pub.....
That means my season ticket has risen by 60% in the last 3 years. And what for? Just to pay the interest on the debt loaded onto the club by the Glazers.
It's disgraceful, and the sooner these greedy people leave the better.
if you don't go someone else will and keep the club afloat, the club does not care about the fans, the people that keeps them all in the money and pay the players wages.
I would like to suggest that on one particular day that you protest and do not go to the game and show your disrespect for th club as they do for you and maybe, just maybe they might listen but I doubt it.
Lets face it, Manchester United is a business concern and because of that profits are more important to the owners than are the needs of the "genuine" supporter. When I lived in Salford and, although I am not a United supporter, went with friends to many a match at Old Trafford I was always surprised at the number of overseas tourists especially Japanese and people from South East Asia who had managed to get tickets for the match. Four friends of mine here in Malta have recently been to the UK on holiday and managed to get tickets for a match at Old Trafford before actually leaving Malta. The owners of the club know that if the local "genuine" supporter is unwilling or unable to pay the asking price then there are others worldwide who will do so if only to say that they have been to Old Trafford.
John Gidman, a serious question. How much do you think the ticket prices would have gone up if the Glazers had paid for United in cash or if some other businessmen like Cubic Expression were the owners.
Personally, I'd suspect that there wouldn't be much difference, to be honest, because that type of businessman wants to squeeze as much out of their assets as they can and rule one is charge as much as you can get away with.
You can always support 'FC United of Manchester' much better and much cheaper.
The waiting list is a myth Utd were still selling Season tickets after this season started, so there can be no list or the tickets would have been sold.
Secondly turning away 5000 a game, visit Utds site now and see that tickets are still on sale for tonights game with Pompey and Saturdays game with Spurs. A few years back all tickets sold out 6 weeks before a home match. Another non-seller for Utd is the availability of Executive boxes again not all sold this season. I will renew because I have the cheapest ticket but that is all I pay since Glazer took over I have not buy anything else in the ground. At matches I see the tourists at most matches carrying big bags of stuff who moan when I trapple all over it getting to my seat. My reply If I want to shop I go to the Trafford Centre not Old Trafford where i come to watch football, plus these bags are a fire hazard blocking my exit to the aisle. Since Taylor and Sky the average working man has been squeezed out of football
frequent flyer THERE IS NO WAITING LIST has'nt been for 2 years.
bobbydazzler, strictly speaking, there are waiting lists for some classes of seat and locations and no waiting lists for others. Most of the unsold STs were also the now abandoned 1 year tickets which were very poor value for money.
It doesnt work like that mate.....You either a fan or your not....your saying just turn your back on a club you have followed day and night man and boy...Ive been a Blue since the day i was born...as sad as it is i love the club, i cant imagine life without them because of City ive lost girlfriends, got into fights, spent money i dont have to get to games, sulked for a week after we lose, kissed random blokes on the lips that have been stood next to me when we scored.....
You cant just turn around and start watching another club....You really have no idea about what football and the club you support means to some people....It might be sad, I have a very good job, a nice house, a good life... I just cant help it football is like a drug to me
I really feel empathy for the football fan
Come on utd fans stop bleating. There are plenty of other clubs from non league to premiership within a few minutes drive that would happily provide you with an entertaining match and not rip you off. Vote with your feet. I support a local lower division team and it gives me far more enjoyment than going to Old Trafford.
MPs gravy train, UK
22/04/2009 at 12:01
I have some sympathy with the Reds supporters who have contributed significantly in money, time and effort to support their team. This increase coupled with the failure by the club to knock off the VAT also is a disgrace. Man U have been the best supported club in the UK for over a decade and I would have thought they could have treated their loyal supporters with better respect particularly when currently things are tough. Shame on the owners and Man U generally in not having the guts and nouse to recognise this fact and to me go out of their way to cause anger and frustration to their strong support. The Glazers should hang their heads in shame. What does Sir Robert and SAF have to say on the subject? This is bad.
The price rise,the only way to protest is everyone not to go to just one match,then the powers that be will worry that if it happened once it could happen at a big game which would hit the income from the advertisers and the tv money then they will lower the ticket price just to survive.
Can anyone give me an address of Bobby Charton where i can send him some wonderful photo's i have of him and other Busby babes
signed a united supporter since 1947
Dan