Micah Richards being the go to City voice on telly when he’s a Leeds born Arsenal supporter never fails to rankle me.
Nedum Onouha, Joe Hart & Joleon Lescott all much better pundits as a City voice. Steph Houghton too.
Greed, injustice and naivety pervade clubs’ ticket price hikes for fans - those who provide the noise and background that broadcasters love and pay clubs handsomely for. Fans’ role in the great Premier League show is one very significant reason why - along with the players, managers and the sporting drama - the new broadcast rights deal rose by 17% to £12.25bn. The few millions generated from ticket hikes hardly compares to the revenue from broadcast - or the vast sums spent on lawyers on arguments that should be sorted out around the PL boardroom table. So why alienate loyal fans?
As @WeAreTheFSA says, “soaring ticket
prices, the erosion of concessionary rates, and above-inflation increases are pricing
out the very people who form the backbone of English football culture”. Ticketing issues now form part of the Independent Regulator’s remit. Those execs and owners complaining about the arrival of the Regulator really have only themselves to blame.
Fans are - rightly - protesting. Enough is enough. And they’re protesting collectively which does not always happen in tribal English football. Liverpool and Manchester City fans stand shoulder to shoulder outside Anfield at 3pm on Sunday to call on clubs to #StopExploitingLoyalty. “There’s been increasing animosity between City and Liverpool fans in recent years due to the rivalry on the pitch, so we’re incredibly proud to stand together on these important issues,” says #MCFC fan Nick Clarke @MCFCfoodbank. “Tribalism holds football fans back from addressing the real threats to the game we built - working-class fans are being priced out before our eyes. We can reverse this trend.”
#LFC fan @robbohuyton@spiritofshankly says, “It’s time for clubs to remember that their wealth and success are built on the unwavering loyalty of their supporters. That passionate support that fuels the creation of flags and banners, of songs, and vocal backing, comes from generational commitment to the cause. That support is being threatened by the price of football – from tickets to TV subscriptions, even down to the prices of food and drink on the concourse. Raising prices when financial pressures on fans are at an all-time high is an insult. We’re proud to unite with fans from Manchester in this campaign to fight for fairness.”
Earlier on Sunday, Manchester United and Everton fans hold a similar protest outside Old Trafford (Trinity Statue). A spokesperson for #MUFC supporters’ group @the__1958 says, “The rivalry between these four clubs has been, and is fierce. But we all go to games,
love our club and want to keep football affordable for future generations whilst
protecting heritage and communities.
The only way we can achieve this is collaboration. This is our first step. This movement will grow.” #EFC fan @DavefcKelly@Sfoodbanks says, “This isn't about the colour of the shirt or the badge upon the chest. It's about the future of the beautiful game, protecting and making it affordable for all fans.” Lose the loyal fans, lose the soul, heartbeat and lungs of the game, lose the atmosphere and lose fortunes in broadcast revenue. Clubs have to think again. #StopExploitingLoyalty
🗣️ | Luton Town manager, Rob Edwards:
“#ManCity away (5-1 City) was the hardest game we had all season. There’s no doubt about it. We couldn’t get out. They were incredible that game…They were unbelievable. They were fast, clinical, so disciplined…
A bloke on my train, on his own, has a JBL speaker and 8 cans of Stella. He’s just finished Three Lions and has whacked on World in Motion.
Euro Fever has never been stronger.