Price rise beginning to bite - survey | Manchester Evening News

Price rise beginning to bite - survey

May 23, 2006

NINETEEN per cent of Manchester United fans asked in a survey said they would not renew their season tickets because of the cost.

Despite an average 12 per cent increase in season ticket prices, the Reds have still been over-subscribed for next season, but the increased cost is beginning to bite.

Across the leagues, a study by Virgin Money found that more than 200,000 football fans will not renew their season tickets this summer.

The survey consulted 690,000 season-ticket holders from clubs across the country, and the results show 29% blame the rising costs of following their team or the poor quality of football on offer as the reasons for not renewing.

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A whopping 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 Supportersé Federation, said: éWeéve 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.

éFootball 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.é

Virgin Money estimate the total spent per season by football fans across Britain is a staggering é8.8billion, with season-ticket holders spending a average of é1,875 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%.

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red junior, Manchester (23/05/2006 at 13:29)

When asked in a survey if they would payer higher taxes for better services most people say yes. Then they go into the polling booth and vote differently. I suspect more of the same. What people say they will do, does not always align with their actions. Still, we will see.

mike, flixton, manchester (23/05/2006 at 13:52)

well plenty of fans don't renew their season tickets - thats why there's always a waiting list at many clubs for others to take them up. I still think utd are pretty good value when you compare them to portsmouth and spurs as two examples; who charge far more for a season ticket. Also a lot of clubs that have sell out crowds are happy to have this season ticket change - and arguabley would like more tickets available prior to matches, as this bigs different people to the ground and drives more turnover in the club shops and store - sad but true. Also football fans are so fickle, how many will say they're not renewing - but when it comes to the crunch, wont be able to give it up -bit of a none story.

Derrick, Bournemouth (23/05/2006 at 13:58)

Unfortunately the Glazers are past masters at this. As with the Massai of Kenya who drink the blood from their cattle, they weaken but never take so much as to kill.

Roy, South Stand Upper Wing (23/05/2006 at 14:04)

I have been telling you 'head in the sand' people for ages that this will happen. People are not prepared to pay off Glazer's debts. Check out the United website. They are literally begging people to renew their Season Tickets. I told you this would happen, but did you listen? Oh no you just stuck your heads even deeper into the sand. I presume you lot are now coming round to my way of thinking finally.

Dean, Swinton (23/05/2006 at 14:05)

its already bitten i'm afraid, ouch!! and it really hurts! Beer & Sofa here I come!

Roy, South Stand Upper Wing (23/05/2006 at 14:19)

I think poor old Malcolm might have got his sums wrong. Anyone can make mistakes, even successful businessman. Now come on Malcolm just do the honourable thing and hand over United to Manchester United Supporters Trust. MUST

stan, the real world (23/05/2006 at 15:04)

isnt 19% of United's existing book holders roughly the same as new ST's issued? I'd like to know the method and exact question that was asked by the survey, but, oh dear malc, i wonder what spin is being cooked up as we speak

adolf, kampala (23/05/2006 at 15:32)

No, even for man U it is the standard of football. Now in the shadow of Chelsea and with a manager past his sell by date, I can see fans prioritising other things above football. Going out of Europe at the first hurddle hardly endears you to the fans, does it? If the CM is not reinforced you can be sure of another disappointing season and more disappointed fans. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to work that out! I guess you will see fans of clubs that are more successful on the pitch instaed wanting to see the their teams play more.

James P, Manchester (23/05/2006 at 16:25)

Suprised my beloved Man City didn't have a high percentage in the standard of football section, especially after the back end of last season!

Dave, Manchester (23/05/2006 at 16:42)

Yes, the club tells us, quite correctly I'm sure, that they have been over-subscribed for the NEW release of ADDITIONAL season tickets. This does NOT mean that EXISTING ST holders are clamouring to renew. Already the deadline for renewals has been extended. Still, many of the respondents on this site are quite happy to accept this 'spin' at face value. One would've hoped the MEN would report impartiality as it seems to be becoming simply a mouthpiece for the club.

stad, manchester (23/05/2006 at 17:10)

I have been a United season ticket holder for years but I`m not renewing next season. I can`t go on paying more and more above the rate of inflation every year. From now on I will be watching on TV and going to FC United

TMUF, Manchester (23/05/2006 at 17:23)

Shows why we have the worst fans in club football

oldtime red, whitefield (23/05/2006 at 18:08)

19% not renewing but still over-subscribed at OT. That tells me that 19% of United regulars, who have had their season tickets for years, won't be there next season. Instead we will be inundated with glory hunting day trippers who don't know the words to any united songs. Glazer and his mates are ripping the heart and soul out of United. I can't wait for the worm to turn, the club go bankrupt and all the Johnny come lateley's go somewhere else. As long as the somewhere else isn't Gigg Lane. Viva FC.

.Goat the father, The Garden Suburb of Benchill (23/05/2006 at 23:32)

The Franchaise is in uproar, a debt bigger than Panama's and one in five of voting with thier feet, so much for the seating extension !Watch for the Debt restructuring!Nistelrooy now Rooney next, love it , we really love it !!

Free Red, Manchester (24/05/2006 at 08:00)

This survey stinks of statistics. For example where are Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs in the dis satisfaction percentages. These three clubs must be the costliest of the Premiership season tickets. How do we know season ticket holders were surveyed? No one wants prices to rise and most people want something for nothing but I would rather my money went on a season ticket than paying for the war against Iraq.

simon jordan, manchester (24/05/2006 at 11:52)

This was bound to happen really.I have mates who didn't renew as soon as Glazer took over.It was over principle and due ticket rises.I have renewed because I it's a way of life for me and it'd break my heart after 30 years not to go.However,I'm concerned the hardcore reds like myself will be less and less in the coming years until the atmosphere is nothing.

Tommy, Tampa (24/05/2006 at 16:00)

You know this is pure wind up. We have no idea from the article what percentage of persons do not renew their tickets in a given year. This article makes it sound as though this is some new happening. Hey maybe last year 21% of season tickets holders did not renew because they can't afford the tickets or don't want to pay the price to see matches. Hell, maybe it is 19% or greater every single freaking year. Pure wind up!

Tommy, Tampa (24/05/2006 at 16:04)

Also, I doubt some of the bandwagon fans that have bought season tickets in the past when United were winning the PL on a consistent basis are really going to admit that they are dumping their season tix because they were bandwagon fans. I think the statistics presented in this article are suspect at best. I'm not saying those are not the real numbers, they are. But I think this survey would need to be conducted on an annual basis for several years before the numbers were actually relevant.

Manchester Warrior, UK (24/05/2006 at 16:23)

This story is recycled old news.

The original survey report was published by Virgin Money three months ago on 15 FEB 2006.

www.virgin.com/news/default.asp?sy=2006&ey=2006&sm=2&em=2&cid=0&nr=12&p=1&kwd=-&newsId=658&pst=yes

Tooth&Claw, M'Cer/Glasgow (25/05/2006 at 00:55)

Virgin Money estimate the total spent per season by football fans across Britain is a staggering ??8.8billion, with season-ticket holders spending a average of ??1,875 each a season. - That's only 8,800 million - one thousand times smaller. Not renewing mine. Far too expensive especially for more of the same as last year. If worse without Ruud shall be encouraging others not to go, too.

TUFTY, RUNCORN (25/05/2006 at 00:59)

MU are NOT oversubscribed. This is a lie. The new ST's were offered in the quadrants. These are over-subscribed. BUT 7,000 have replied to say they're not renewing elsewhere in the ground. So 69k + 7k -7k = 69k in my maths. Anyone care to differ?

TUFTY, RUNCORN (25/05/2006 at 01:05)

Is anyone surprised? If this season is anything like last season they'll soon be leaving for other reasons, like refusal to pay extortionate salaries for under-performing players. (Can you hear me Rio?) How you get in the England team bamboozles me. If you're England class then so am I. Either that or Sven really has no faith in us winning the World Cup. Talk about useless.

mary, sale (25/05/2006 at 01:06)

Go and watch Chelsea, SAF? Yes I would if I lived in London & got paid the same.

Sword of truth, Basra (25/05/2006 at 06:45)

MEN don't let the facts get in the way of a "covenient" story. This article is bs.

stad, manchester (25/05/2006 at 14:05)

I posted a comment on here two days ago but apparently no comments have been submitted.
Am I to presume that you have you been told by the powers that be at Old Trafford not to post them?

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