I don't know if anyone else saw this yesterday, but at the end of yesterdays game at Arsenal the linesman, John Brooks, told City players to go and pay their respects to City's traveling support.
'They've paid 62 quid over there, go and see them'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_CEQV1DODs&feature=player_embedded
Don't know about you, but Mr. Brooks is one of favorite people today .
I also noticed some of the City fans holding banners criticizing ticket prices. "£62, WHERE WILL IT STOP?!" being a notable one. Whilst I agree with the sentiment, there something deeply ironic about the complaints coming from supporters of Manchester City.
This club that has done more than most to stimulate excessive increases in player wages. Indeed, City now has the highest wage bill in the country, recently leapfrogging Chelsea. They pay millions upon millions more in wages every week, even compared to the likes of Spurs. Their recent successes are entirely built upon excessive transfer spending and excessive wage bills.
Ticket prices reflect wage bills, and yet City fans have criticized the likes of Arsenal. What they don't realize is that City's tickets are effectively subsidized because the clubs owners have limitless wealth. Arsenal on the other hand (like most clubs) need gate revenue to cover at least most of their wage bill. If it wasn't for Sheikh Mansour's limitless capital reserves, if their wage bill was as it is, City would probably have the highest ticket prices in the country.
Linesman tells City to applaud fans.
posted on 14/1/13
All prices are far too high, but it is a bit rich City complaining about high ticket prices, when they have completely blown any semblence of fair play out of the window when it comes to dealing with money matters. It is clubs like City and Chelsea that have contributed greatly to ticket prices going through the roof, with their continuing paying sky high wages and inflated transfer fees for players.
posted on 14/1/13
I paid £75 for the Arsenal game at home last season, I wouldn't pay that for any other game
posted on 14/1/13
I paid £70 to watch Spurs v Liverpool and this was at least 6 years ago (West Stand). I regret doing it now. I have been to 2 World Cups now and whilst not cheap, I saw Germany Argentina (Quarter Final, Berlin) for about 50 Euros. Even FIFA makes the EPL look 'fair' .
posted on 14/1/13
Thudd - there is another perspective though. Could it not be argued the excessive spending is the reason we have the most exciting league in the world . The Premiership is the globalization of football in all its glory . The best of the world come here because they make fortunes.
posted on 14/1/13
fair play to city fans kicking up a fuss over ticket prices NOW there a "top team", United have had to put up with it for years.
posted on 14/1/13
It starts with player power asking for more wages, it starts a trend across the board
posted on 14/1/13
Fair point Sandy
Reckon Man City' owners could probably just splash some cash and treat them all to a day out in London without breaking a sweat.
posted on 14/1/13
If anyone is to blame for the raised ticket prices it's FIFA for introducing the fair play rule. Teams have to balance the books somehow. I'd prefer clubs to break even in a more sensible fashion though. Why are we being punished for their financial naivety? Clubs should introduce their own salary cap that varies dependent on their debt. Yes, players have contracts and clubs have to honour them but they shouldn't have handed out long lucrative contracts when the FFP rules were looming. Why should the consumer suffer?
posted on 14/1/13
Also, it's ironic that Arsenal fans moan about ticket prices, yet encourage Wenger to give Walcott whatever he wants for a new contract. You can't have it both ways. The money has to come from somewhere. Hopefully this means less people go to games and the clubs have no choice but to be sensible with transfer fees and wages. Money doesn't grow on trees but neither do fans.
posted on 14/1/13
I spunked £70 on our home tie against Sevilla in the UEFA cup......West Stand as well, great seats but just not worth £70.
£70 bought a lot in 2008 and it still does in 2013.