Most will now have seen Virgin Media’s advertising blitz promoting their “Twenty’s Plenty” offering with the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF), and with it providing muchneeded exposure for the organisation and its campaign to reduce away ticket prices.
The aim, according to the FSF website, is “to persuade football clubs at all levels of the game to recognise and reward the amazing contribution of away fans by getting together to agree a general price cap on away match tickets of £20 (£15 for concessions)”.
I remember when the idea was first brought to the Premier League group of supporters’ trusts that I chaired for Supporters Direct. It was welcomed then as being something of which they could make positive use. So it has been over time and, with the campaign’s growth in profile, the Premier League finally stopped focusing on initiatives such as the Away Fans Fund – money set aside for clubs to pay for various initiatives such as free coach travel or even subsidised away tickets (although it remains in place). Instead they helped persuade the clubs that a league-wide cap of £30 for all away tickets for the next three seasons was the right thing to do.
This story is from the June 2017 edition of When Saturday Comes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2017 edition of When Saturday Comes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
