New season ticket prices

[Scratch]

Craig, why will the real fans be priced out of it? Is a real fan a poor fan then? Can the rich not be real fans? What about those in the middle class?

[Craig_H]

I would suspect that the fans who think an 18% increase in price is justified because of a need to increase revenue are probably those fans who never go to games anyway and have no intention of going to games so its not going to bother them.

I'd tend to agree.

And that's not saying anyone's better than anyone else, just that for those who wont be affected at all, it's obviously not something they're going to be too concerned about.

[RichC]

I understand it perfectly well. If a business ****s up though, like LFC did with its pricing, it is the responsibility of the business, and it's not fair to pass a big bulk increase onto its consumers (especially not in a football context) in the midst of a recession. And it's not even as though we've gone and broken transfer records and signed world class players - at least then, fans could put the price increase against enjoyment of a world class team that's challenging for top honours. But no, the fans are being asked to pay stupid money, so that the Yanks can keep hold of the club a little longer. It's pathetic.

In future, when the ground is full of posh toffs who spend half the match at the kiosks, and we've lost the 12th man, it'll be no great comfort that our commercial activity has modernised.

We beat Chelsea in 2005 largely due to the atmosphere of real fans - and they're the ones who'll be priced out.

Just another mediocre random club with nothing special about it and no genuine bond between team and supporters. Great.

How will the impact on you be about the same as it is on me?

The rise in ticket prices is not going to have much bearing on if the Yanks stay or go - it will help them show it as a more viable option for potential investors, the club is being dragged into the here and how which is a good thing - obviously this increase isn't great for us as punters but it's the way of the world I am afraid.

I don't think you'll see a lot of real fans not making it to the ground one, the extra cash to go won't be welcomed but I think the vast majority will still make it to see us play football.

I think you're blowing this up to more than it is and perhaps insulting some of the fans with that comment - for my mind LFC has the best supporters around obviously a biased comment but listen to opposition fans or players that have been to Anfield they get how special a place it is - this will not change for the rise on tickets - like I said it's not good for the fans but it's happening.

[Craig_H]

Craig, why will the real fans be priced out of it? Is a real fan a poor fan then? Can the rich not be real fans? What about those in the middle class?

Mate, a significant number of fans are ones who were just about able to justify ticket prices of around £35 per game. Just about. When you add food, drink, parking/travel costs etc, not to mention booking fees and all the other malarky such as if they buy merchandise or a programme, you'll be looking at pretty much spending well over £100 for two people to go to the game.

You think that's reasonable?

Of course it wont price all fans out of it, but the majority are still working class fellas who are being taken advantage of more and more.

And yes, their place will be taken by others, i've no doubt. But soon enough we'll end up with a similar situation as Wembley has, with big areas of the ground still empty 10-15 mins into the 2nd half, due to fans who dont really give a **** about the game, still enjoying their pint and food.

Take away everything specific here even, and just tell me how an annual increase of 18% is justifiable here.

What other product increases in price by 18% from one year to the next (while arguably decreasing in quality, for that matter)?

[Craig_H]

The rise in ticket prices is not going to have much bearing on if the Yanks stay or go - it will help them show it as a more viable option for potential investors, the club is being dragged into the here and how which is a good thing - obviously this increase isn't great for us as punters but it's the way of the world I am afraid.

I don't think you'll see a lot of real fans not making it to the ground one, the extra cash to go won't be welcomed but I think the vast majority will still make it to see us play football.

I think you're blowing this up to more than it is and perhaps insulting some of the fans with that comment - for my mind LFC has the best supporters around obviously a biased comment but listen to opposition fans or players that have been to Anfield they get how special a place it is - this will not change for the rise on tickets - like I said it's not good for the fans but it's happening.

I'm sure i'll be slated for asking this, but i think it's relevant to the debate - how often to you buy tickets for games at Anfield, would you say?

The 'vast majority' of fans who go week in, week out, are down to earth working class people who are finding it more and more difficult to find the money and will find it even harder to find an extra 18%. I know this from personal experience mate, which is why i was asking you how often you get to Anfield - as i am curious as to what you base your opinion on, that the vast majority will still carry on as normal.

[RichC]

I'm sure i'll be slated for asking this, but i think it's relevant to the debate - how often to you buy tickets for games at Anfield, would you say?

The 'vast majority' of fans who go week in, week out, are down to earth working class people who are finding it more and more difficult to find the money and will find it even harder to find an extra 18%. I know this from personal experience mate, which is why i was asking you how often you get to Anfield - as i am curious as to what you base your opinion on, that the vast majority will still carry on as normal.

It's a fair question to ask so won't be slated by me - over the past 5 years I'd say between 10 - 15 homes games (+ some away games from mates that support lesser clubs as well :O)) I get up to (this past season has been tougher as I am getting married in 3 weeks and that's killed me financially!)

I am a normal bloke, goes to work likes a pint or two and yes I don't like the rise in ticket prices but it was inevitable - will it stop me going to the games no, do I think it will stop people lucky enough to have season tickets renewing them - no do I think it will have an adverse effect on the support at games - no.

I've said I don't like it and I am sure there is nobody out there that does but most fans will still turn up week in week out.

[RoadEnd]

I can probably afford the rise in ticket prices - however, there is a tipping point at which the cost outweighs the benefit. Unfortunately, this rise has passed my tipping point.

No matter how many years I've been going to games and how important Liverpool football club is to me - there comes a point when I'm not prepared to pay (particularly when the majority of the clubs income goes on players wages).

I do a 230 mile round trip, buy a programme and grub. All in - probably close to £90ish per game.

I will still go to games this season, but a lot less than in previous years.

[Scratch]

Mate, a significant number of fans are ones who were just about able to justify ticket prices of around £35 per game. Just about. When you add food, drink, parking/travel costs etc, not to mention booking fees and all the other malarky such as if they buy merchandise or a programme, you'll be looking at pretty much spending well over £100 for two people to go to the game.

You think that's reasonable?

Of course it wont price all fans out of it, but the majority are still working class fellas who are being taken advantage of more and more.

And yes, their place will be taken by others, i've no doubt. But soon enough we'll end up with a similar situation as Wembley has, with big areas of the ground still empty 10-15 mins into the 2nd half, due to fans who dont really give a **** about the game, still enjoying their pint and food.

Take away everything specific here even, and just tell me how an annual increase of 18% is justifiable here.

What other product increases in price by 18% from one year to the next (while arguably decreasing in quality, for that matter)?

So, for two people you're already looking at about £100 all up...an extra £12 ain't exactly gonna break the bank...

And it's justified by simply looking at how far behind in terms of ticket prices we are with the other big clubs, cos we've had it good (in terms of prices, maybe not in terms of entertainment) for too long...we lose so much revenue because of low ticket prices...it's unfotunate tho that it's all come in one lump sum like this, but it's only 6 quid...it's a packet of fags when all is said and done.

[Scratch]

I can probably afford the rise in ticket prices - however, there is a tipping point at which the cost outweighs the benefit. Unfortunately, this rise has passed my tipping point.

No matter how many years I've been going to games and how important Liverpool football club is to me - there comes a point when I'm not prepared to pay (particularly when the majority of the clubs income goes on players wages).

I do a 230 mile round trip, buy a programme and grub. All in - probably close to £90ish per game.

I will still go to games this season, but a lot less than in previous years.

So you spend £90 already, but £96 is too much?

[Craig_H]

It's a fair question to ask so won't be slated by me - over the past 5 years I'd say between 10 - 15 homes games (+ some away games from mates that support lesser clubs as well :O)) I get up to (this past season has been tougher as I am getting married in 3 weeks and that's killed me financially!)

I am a normal bloke, goes to work likes a pint or two and yes I don't like the rise in ticket prices but it was inevitable - will it stop me going to the games no, do I think it will stop people lucky enough to have season tickets renewing them - no do I think it will have an adverse effect on the support at games - no.

I've said I don't like it and I am sure there is nobody out there that does but most fans will still turn up week in week out.

That's fair enough.

I think, for someone who might attend 10 or more home games per season, 18% will make a difference. Especially if it's someone who goes with their son, their mate, their brother etc, or if it's someone who has a family to support.

If you take £35 as a base price for last season, someone going to all home league games would spend £684. That goes up by 18% and becomes £807.

For a working class family, £123 is still a fair amount of money.

Going on the basis that many fans were only just able to manage to attend the games at last season's prices, 18% can make a major difference.

And i'd repeat my earlier question - what other products increase in price by 18% over the course of a year? It's a majorly disproportionate increase, compared to most products. Things tend to go up by about 5%-10% annually. 18% is very rare.

[CJ]

it is possible that you can afford 90 but not 91.

there is a point at which people cant afford things

overall i agree that for the club raising prices is a must. the market can bear it and ncome needs to be developed.

from the fans point of view it is poor.

but we cant have low ticket prices and expect to get out of the mess we are in.

its not fair and i dont like it. it doesnt mean its not the reality though.

[Scratch]

For a working class family, £123 is still a fair amount of money.

In one lump sum it is yes...but spread over 9 months you're looking at £14 a month....so less than £4 a week.

[Craig_H]

So, for two people you're already looking at about £100 all up...an extra £12 ain't exactly gonna break the bank...

And it's justified by simply looking at how far behind in terms of ticket prices we are with the other big clubs, cos we've had it good (in terms of prices, maybe not in terms of entertainment) for too long...we lose so much revenue because of low ticket prices...it's unfotunate tho that it's all come in one lump sum like this, but it's only 6 quid...it's a packet of fags when all is said and done.

So you spend £90 already, but £96 is too much?

If you can afford £10 for something, and it then becomes £12, it's only gone up by £2 - but if your budget for something is only £10, it doesnt matter how 'little' the perceived increase is. It's still beyond what the person can afford.

Perhaps you dont realise it, but for some families, every pound is accounted for. It's easy to say it's only £6 and yes, for me, it's nothing, but for some, it can make a difference.

I still think your view might be different if it was something you were forking out on a weekly/fortnightly basis, for the best part of 10 months.

[Fernandinho]

Im just gonna be heaps rich one day so it doesn't matter

[Craig_H]

it is possible that you can afford 90 but not 91.

there is a point at which people cant afford things

overall i agree that for the club raising prices is a must. the market can bear it and ncome needs to be developed.

from the fans point of view it is poor.

but we cant have low ticket prices and expect to get out of the mess we are in.

its not fair and i dont like it. it doesnt mean its not the reality though.

Even a single pound is a lot of money, for someone who doesnt have it (and needs it).

I agree that it's the reality but it's really really poor. Lots of things are the reality, but that doesnt mean they're right.