Post by Salem6 on Jun 22, 2005 16:56:48 GMT
Exclusive by Leo Spall, Evening Standard
21 June 2005
www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/football/articles/19430987?source=Evening%20Standard
Football fans in London are paying up to £1000 a time
to watch games in the capital. The extraordinary
figure is revealed in an exclusive new poll, carried
out by Standard Sport, on the state of the game in the
capital.
Its findings will fuel fears that the national game is
becoming the preserve of more affluent sections of
society and is out of reach for the traditional fan
base.
Two days before next season's Premiership and Football
League fixtures are due be announced, fans' groups
claim there is a danger that too many supporters are
being forced to follow their teams on television.
Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters'
Federation, said: "This is a major concern because the
pricing at the top of the game has risen way, way over
the rate of inflation for more than 10 years.
"We do not want the game to become exclusively for the
better paid."
The survey quizzed fans at each of the 12 clubs in the
London area towards the end of last season.
More than 1,000 people were questioned about their
match day costs and experiences and asked to give
their views about a range of issues affecting
supporters.
The average amount spent on a match day, including the
cost of travel and ticket, by those following teams
from Leyton Orient in League Two to Chelsea in the
Premiership was nearly £46.
Those following London's top flight teams have
regularly been placed near the top of football fans'
earnings lists and strong attendances at their games
show they are prepared to cover the rising costs.
But the average figure from the survey makes the game
more expensive as a live event than traditional
premium rate entertainment such as West End theatre.
It also puts London football in a higher price bracket
than some top European leagues.
Nearly a third of those who took part considered the
costs of watching games to be dear.Other findings
included insights into the problem of hooliganism and
racism at matches in the capital.
Welcoming the survey, Clarke said: "The more the
authorities find out about people who keep the game
going through their money, the better.
"It is good news that the Evening Standard is prepared
to carry out this sort of important research."
A spokesman for the Football League said: "We are
always interested to hear fans' opinions about the
state of the game and look forward to having the
opportunity to analyse this survey's results in
greater detail."