Club protests at prices.

[Pablo]

People have the right to a peaceful protest. People also have the right to not protest in peace. Pretty simple. That guy is an idiot.

[kingfunk]

To be honest I am not comfortable with the protests at the ticket price increases.

We are a well run club and in order have success and stay within our means we need to generate income.

Players Salaries and agent fees are alot higher and in my opinion are more of a problem than what is rather mild price increases on tickets.

Supporters want us to be competitive and these owners have been fantastic, so for SOS to suddenly start to demonise them stinks a little. I have the impression this is more about trying to justify their own existence and remind us that they exist.

Completely agree.

[labourRed]

He's/they've went about it in the wrong way. I have some sympathy or local fans, they've been priced out of the game for a long time now. But protests have to have buy in and consensus rather then imposed by a small group, that's never going to work.

SOS don't have the clout they once had though which i think is a shame. Owners need to be kept honest or they'll do whatever they want. FSG have some credit in the bank with us but they are absolutely hated in Boston - we certainly need to be careful with them.

[fidget]

I think that argument falls apart in a few key places, particularly the idea that this is “opportunism” or somehow dependent on on-pitch success.

First off, framing fan opposition as opportunistic just because the team isn’t top of the table is a bit of a deflection. Groups like SOS have consistently raised concerns about ticket pricing, accessibility, and fan representation regardless of how well or badly we're doing. These issues don’t suddenly become invalid if the team is winning, if anything, success tends to mask them. The suggestion that fans should only speak up when things are going well is backwards as structural issues are exactly the kind that persist beneath results.

On the finances point, the “well-run club” argument is being stretched to justify everything. Yes, Liverpool FC is well run, but that doesn’t mean every revenue stream must be maximised at the expense of match-going fans. Ticket income makes up a small percentage of total revenue compared to broadcasting and commercial deals. So presenting price rises as necessary for competitiveness is misleading - it’s more about maintaining margins than survival.

The wages/agents argument is also a bit of a red herring. Fans don’t control the wage structure the club does. Saying “players cost more, therefore fans must pay more” skips over the fact that clubs willingly participate in that inflation. It’s a strategic choice, not an unavoidable force being imposed on them.
The idea that freezing prices would damage competitiveness assumes there are no trade-offs available elsewhere in a multi-billion-pound operation. That’s just not realistic. Clubs constantly make financial decisions about allocation and this is one of them. Protecting access for core supporters isn’t some radical demand, it’s about preserving the identity and atmosphere that actually contributes to success on the pitch.
The contradiction pointed out at the end is actually the most important part — because it highlights the real issue. Even those defending the increases know there’s a tipping point where regular fans, especially locals and youngsters get priced out. Once that erosion happens, it doesn’t come back easily. Atmosphere, culture, and community aren’t things you can just reinvest in later. How often do we bemoan the lack of atmosphere?
So it’s not about stupidly calling people “scabs” or dismissing others as plastics but dismissing genuine concerns as opportunism isn’t fair either. This is a long-term debate about what the FSG prioritises, squeezing incremental revenue, or protecting the match-going fanbase that underpins everything else. I know which one I think they prioritise.
If their idea of being “well run” leads to a ground full of rich tourists and declining local support then their model deserves to be challenged.

TLDR world's smallest violin for FSG.

[frank the tank]

Directing at other fans isn't on. Shouting "scab" at the lads in the queue was a dick head move.

In reality the people protesting might have a point. The fact that the club have announced it for tje next 3 years as well kind of stinks. However, people should never forget that it is a private business as well as a football club. And although they have supported lfc for a number of years, it is still a private enterprise. Sith shareholders and profit and lose and everything. So the rhetoric of "they've taken advantage of me" is stupid. I drive a BMW. If they put the cost of the next model up 20%, I can go look elsewhere. It would be ****in stupid of me to go outside BMW showroom and shout at anyone who is buying an accessory or anything apart from the car itself.

I know that analogy isn't exactly spot on, but if this guy can't afford to go to the match, or can afford it but just doesnt want to pay, then move on ffs.

[fidget]

Supporting a club isn't a consumer choice for the majority.

[frank the tank]

There are a lot of supporters outside the ground as well though.

[frank the tank]

Don't disagree with you in general though and your previous post was good.

And in reality I agree that LFC could actually cut prices in half and still be competitive. And I would be all for protesting in a good way. I was one of those who went out-the-ground-on-77 when Adam Peado Johnson scored his last goal as a footballer in the 2 all draw with Sunderland a few years ago.

But if someone shouted "scab" at me, id have given him back insults to be honest. The cunt.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Closest I can come to a "solution" in my head is to create location based price tiers.



My idea would be that there is a % of tickets ( a substantal % and not a small one like 10% or 15% of the ground- maybe have it at 30% to 50% of the stadium is held for local support) for every single game at Anfield that can only be sold to someone with a local postcode and the tickets would be capped at whatever amount with there being three tiers - Adults, under 18s and OAPs/disabled suporters.

Then have larger increases for the luxury end of things be it the corporate boxes, the luxury packages and the higher end pricing in general. General sale tickets for non local purchasers would also see a price increase but not as steep an increase as that for the luxury/premium packages.

Would also have it that price increases on the higher end packages/tickets apply regardless of the location of purchaser. That way those less impacted by price increases can still buy the higher end seats.

So "regular" seats for locals have prices capped for say a decade at a time and then once a decade there is a modest increase ( far less than inflation) and make up the difference using more regular increases (every three to four years) on the boxes and premium seating.

Would also have it that certain parts of the stadium ( the Kop etc) would get a disproportionate allocation in favour of the set priced local tickets and that the local tickets would be together in large blocks around the stadium in order to try and foster atmosphere.

But that might then get challenged on the basis of being discriminatory and it would also impact non local folk who might have to save really hard just to get to Anfield once in their life.

[Doc_Piptorious]

But also want it that Frank and I can go sit wherever we ****ing want

[labourRed]

I think that argument falls apart in a few key places, particularly the idea that this is “opportunism” or somehow dependent on on-pitch success.

First off, framing fan opposition as opportunistic just because the team isn’t top of the table is a bit of a deflection. Groups like SOS have consistently raised concerns about ticket pricing, accessibility, and fan representation regardless of how well or badly we're doing. These issues don’t suddenly become invalid if the team is winning, if anything, success tends to mask them. The suggestion that fans should only speak up when things are going well is backwards as structural issues are exactly the kind that persist beneath results.

On the finances point, the “well-run club” argument is being stretched to justify everything. Yes, Liverpool FC is well run, but that doesn’t mean every revenue stream must be maximised at the expense of match-going fans. Ticket income makes up a small percentage of total revenue compared to broadcasting and commercial deals. So presenting price rises as necessary for competitiveness is misleading - it’s more about maintaining margins than survival.

The wages/agents argument is also a bit of a red herring. Fans don’t control the wage structure the club does. Saying “players cost more, therefore fans must pay more” skips over the fact that clubs willingly participate in that inflation. It’s a strategic choice, not an unavoidable force being imposed on them.
The idea that freezing prices would damage competitiveness assumes there are no trade-offs available elsewhere in a multi-billion-pound operation. That’s just not realistic. Clubs constantly make financial decisions about allocation and this is one of them. Protecting access for core supporters isn’t some radical demand, it’s about preserving the identity and atmosphere that actually contributes to success on the pitch.
The contradiction pointed out at the end is actually the most important part — because it highlights the real issue. Even those defending the increases know there’s a tipping point where regular fans, especially locals and youngsters get priced out. Once that erosion happens, it doesn’t come back easily. Atmosphere, culture, and community aren’t things you can just reinvest in later. How often do we bemoan the lack of atmosphere?
So it’s not about stupidly calling people “scabs” or dismissing others as plastics but dismissing genuine concerns as opportunism isn’t fair either. This is a long-term debate about what the FSG prioritises, squeezing incremental revenue, or protecting the match-going fanbase that underpins everything else. I know which one I think they prioritise.
If their idea of being “well run” leads to a ground full of rich tourists and declining local support then their model deserves to be challenged.

TLDR world's smallest violin for FSG.

[frank the tank]

Closest I can come to a "solution" in my head is to create location based price tiers.



My idea would be that there is a % of tickets ( a substantal % and not a small one like 10% or 15% of the ground- maybe have it at 30% to 50% of the stadium is held for local support) for every single game at Anfield that can only be sold to someone with a local postcode and the tickets would be capped at whatever amount with there being three tiers - Adults, under 18s and OAPs/disabled suporters.

Then have larger increases for the luxury end of things be it the corporate boxes, the luxury packages and the higher end pricing in general. General sale tickets for non local purchasers would also see a price increase but not as steep an increase as that for the luxury/premium packages.

Would also have it that price increases on the higher end packages/tickets apply regardless of the location of purchaser. That way those less impacted by price increases can still buy the higher end seats.

So "regular" seats for locals have prices capped for say a decade at a time and then once a decade there is a modest increase ( far less than inflation) and make up the difference using more regular increases (every three to four years) on the boxes and premium seating.

Would also have it that certain parts of the stadium ( the Kop etc) would get a disproportionate allocation in favour of the set priced local tickets and that the local tickets would be together in large blocks around the stadium in order to try and foster atmosphere.

But that might then get challenged on the basis of being discriminatory and it would also impact non local folk who might have to save really hard just to get to Anfield once in their life.

All good.

And how would you counteract the local scrotes that sell on their tickets for big increases???

The hospitality ticket prices have increased drastically over the last few years already. SoS obviously dont give a **** about them but there is an argument that this is what has kept the prices of regular fans down over the last number of years when there haven't been any increases.

[Charly]

Could always support Everton?

Oh, their ticket prices are higher?

I think people in the local area probably should get a discount. Im sure that will be open to abuse though.

I remember when I could travel up and get a ticket on the day. Times have changed.

[Doc_Piptorious]

All good.

And how would you counteract the local scrotes that sell on their tickets for big increases???

The hospitality ticket prices have increased drastically over the last few years already. SoS obviously dont give a **** about them but there is an argument that this is what has kept the prices of regular fans down over the last number of years when there haven't been any increases.

No transfers. Name on the ticket needs to match the ID of the person with it. Might be a bit of an archaic way to do things but would help counter the selling on process a tad.

Would also make a point, especially in the first year, of legally pursuing the purchasers of any tickets that were sold on. Make examples of those caught.


Another alternative, albeit one that would create queues and the need for some folk to get to games really early, but have entrances just for the local tickets/seats that are part of my idea and those local tickets can be bought to enter the ground upon production of an that shows you are local.

Sure there are cons as well as pros, but would be workable with some smart folk to figure out the finer points.

Also like the idea of "lifer" sections of the ground, not so much you get to buy a ticket for life but that the blocks I mentioned in the earlier post that would be for local fans would reamains as being for local fans only for the life of the ground. That way you create heart and soul areas in the ground that are always going to have only people from Liverpool or from Merseyside (if you want to stretch what counts as the local area) in them.

Would not go as far as to say the local ticket purchasers have to prove they are scouse, just that they are residents of either Liverpool or Merseyside and their ID/Proof of residence backs that up.

[Scratch]

If the club just ignores the protest, what will happen next year? Will those protesting give up their tickets, or will they have to rebuy or face losing out? I can't imagine there will be a lack of takers, even at a hiked up price, so the demand is definitely there?