Pat Mustard 💙💚

Words are flowing out like endless rain...

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@Neduszn8

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@stones_lia56599 @spiritofshankly The current minimum wage is £12-13. In 1989 there was discussion re a decency wage of 3.89. If you do the sums, the price of tickets has risen/is rising astronomically. Things do change, not always for the better, and it does not mean people should not protest.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@colinhead70 You don't look that old, Col. Must have been a babe in arms at the time. Heady days. Enjoy.

[Peter Moore @PeterMooreUSA]

This has been weighing heavily on me, and I can’t stay quiet about it any longer.

I am 71 years old. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend five World Cups, starting in 1986. Those tournaments weren’t just events to me, they were life chapters. They were about connection, about culture, about standing shoulder to shoulder with people from every corner of the world, united by the game we love.

But what I’m seeing now breaks my heart.

The current dynamic pricing strategy for the upcoming World Cup feels completely detached from the very soul of football. Yes, this tournament is being played mostly in the United States, and yes, it’s a premium market. But football was never meant to be a luxury product reserved for the highest bidder. It belongs to the people. Always has. I looked back fondly at USA 94 and everything we did then to fill stadiums and bring the game to life for Americans who were just dipping their toes into the water of the beautiful game.

Right now, it feels like the average, passionate supporter, the ones who save for years, who travel across continents, who bring the color, the noise, the spirit, are being pushed out. Replaced by a model that prioritizes revenue over reality.
That’s a dangerous road because once you lose the authentic fan, you lose the essence of what makes the World Cup special.

I say this not just as a fan, but as someone who has spent a lifetime in and around the game. During my time at EA SPORTS, we stood shoulder to shoulder with FIFA when they needed it most. Our game kept millions of fans connected to football and to the World Cup when trust in the organization was at its lowest. We helped carry the flame.

Which is why this moment feels even more disappointing.

This may well be one of the last World Cups I have the chance to attend and I find myself wondering if the game I’ve loved all my life is slowly drifting away from people like me, and far more importantly, from the next generation who deserve to feel what I felt in 1986.

The World Cup should unite the world. Not divide it by price.

Football deserves better. And so do the fans. Come on @FIFAcom , sort this out… It’s not too late.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@AlfieGKeeping @IsthmianLeague Maybe he couldn't see it from that great height!

[Richard Williams @rwilliams1947]

One thing this brilliant FA Cup 3rd round weekend has proved is that, even with the odd mistake, football is much, much, much better without VAR.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@cookieonscreen A beautiful tribute ❤

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@OfficialWands Third spell, third debut. Great news.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@OfficialWands He's done a smashing job so far, and last night does not alter that. Decent recruitment, a nice settled side, and a decent spirit. Centre back a problem at the moment, Tom B a big miss obviously. Maybe a loan... Anyway, happy birthday Tosh 💛🖤

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@7RobLee Brilliant photos. Fantastic to see Mighty Mouse, my first hero, looking so well.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@wrighty1207 Miss you Sammy.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@LondonLions will you sell tickets for the upper tier at the Copperbox for European games if/ once the lower tier sells out? Previous attendances have merited opening both tiers.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@aoverton_ @TheAnfieldWrap Decent kits, no doubt. Great to have Adidas back. Mid to late 80s were best imho. 85/86 here.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@HavenAthletics @LHUMSOC Go on the Baldies! 🦅 'Conker' the Chestnuts 🌰

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@GideonWard2 @KiersTheivam The average attendance per league game across both teams rose by 21.3% to 940 attendees. The Women's average league attendance grew by 30% to 934. The Men's games saw the average league attendance increase by 17.5% to 943. Season ticket men £210
Women
• Adult: £110

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@PaulHawksbee Randall in the wind...

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@rowley_shaun @OfficialWands Very sorry to see you go, Shaun. Thanks for your gargantuan efforts over the last few seasons. All the best for the future. 💛🖤

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@MarcoManasseh Played against your dad and his Chelsea Casuals team. He wasn't the quickest (aged 70 ish!) but he talked a good game. We chatted about Italian football and Fiorentina 💜⚜ and he was a gentleman.

[Pat Mustard 💙💚 @educatedleft]

@BenStiller You want a piece of me?!!! ❤