Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
The Overlap is a really good watch
The Overlap is a really good watch
Don Barzini
Assistant Pro
Won't argue further on the poverty chants issue as it won't get anywhere.
But no way can (or should) you prevent fans from singing songs at each other or at rival players/managers! It's one of the most enjoyable parts of the game! Remove that completely and you remove some great match day banter.
HampshireHog
Assistant Pro
I agree with this.
I have an issue with the concept of a season ticket in this day and age for top flight clubs. It seems intrinsically unfair that the majority of tickets are offered to the same people year after year, making it inaccessible to most fans unless you are prepared to pay well in excess of the face value.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
Football powers that be getting their knickers in a twist about the rainbow armbands that were worn this weekend. A Muslim doesn’t wear it, a Christian writes that he loves Jesus on his - but the FA and all the rest can’t manage to create an environment that means gay men can be open in football. Need to sort out their priorities here.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Unfortunately the “environment” that restricts gay men coming out in football is created by the football fans who hide behind “banter”
There is far too much Neanderthal tribalism within the sport that would allow a gay man to openingly play the sport
And that’s even before areas of society where is still viewed as a crime etc
People still hide behind religion etc to continue homophobic attitudes - the same person who refused to wear the rainbow arm band had no issues wearing the shirt with betting companies on it - both against their religion
Football at the top level has a long way to go
You also only have to look at the recent World Cup and where the 2030 World Cup may well be to see things won’t change
There's enough money in the new TV deal to leave ticket prices alone. According to my colleague West Ham have removed the concessions ticket prices this year for West Ham. Do they really need to do that especially when the tax payer are funding their shiny new stadium?
There's enough oppurtunnities for the occassional fan to access tickets, nobody is stopping that. Screwing over the regular support should not be excused because "its business".
Enough money, tell that to the players and the agents. They keep pushing for more and that is largely where the increased funds go.
I can't comment about all clubs but up here in Newcastle the occasional fan can not get a ticket. Any not sold as season tickets are made available to 'members' who have to pay an annual fee, £35 I think. They are then randomly allocated tickets, you may get nothing all year, you may get lucky and get 2 or 3 games. To get a ticket, you have to be a member, 1 ticket allocated for 1 member. One member can not buy 3 tickets for the family or mates. It is very restrictive. They have not had tickets on general sale for 2-3 years now.
Football clubs are businesses, you might not like it but it is true. Especially with the new FFP rules, clubs are looking to maximise income wherever they can. Without that, they will get left behind.
Don Barzini
Assistant Pro
Aztecs27
Money List Winner
Absolutely.
It's actually one of the positives of modern phones in this instance...the whoppers doing the sorts of gestures and chants are much more likely to be caught doing it and dealt with after the fact.
GB72
Money List Winner
A good point and not one I had thought of in relation to FFP. Clubs have to milk every penny they can to increase revenue and so increase their spend on players. It seems that clubs have to push to get every penny in that they can that is then only reflected in increased player wages and transfer fees.
It would never happen but football could cut the cost for fans, improve grounds and facilities, fund the grass roots game and make a fat profit for club owners if only they could all get together and introduce caps on wages and transfer fees. Then again, that would stop the biggest leagues plundering the others for all of the talent to ensure that they can promote themselves as the biggest clubs and biggest leagues in the world and increase their global and TV revenue.
I disagree, season cards are a guaranteed income stream that allows 75%of PL clubs to operate sufficiently. Some of the top clubs could survive without them, not all.
The secondary market is a peculiar one where if people dont use them they wouldnt exist.
It really annoys me when gigs "sell out" yet tickets appear on the same site as "resale" for 300% more than face value.
There's an interesting episode on Radio 4 talking about sophisticated bots that sweep tickets up in sales.
I would argue that any ticketing increase goes nowhere near players and agents. Its greed from the clubs. I would be in favour of banning Agents from football indefinitely or at least restrict them how they can advise. If footballers arent savvy enough to agree their own deals then tough luck or pay your agent out of their own pocket
It sounds like Newcastle have adopted a model of restricting free access to tickets which in turn drives the demand up or keeps it oversubscribed for tickets. All good when they're successful, dangerous when theyre not doing so well. I'm sure this happens in American sports
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Personally think Ipswich should have said that is the armband, take it or leave it. If you don't want to wear it then someone else can be the captain.
Why would you punish the club captain for wanting to stand by his beliefs? Football getting involved in matters that really dont concern them.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Because those beliefs are rubbish.
nickjdavis
Head Pro
The demand for tickets both home and away matches has been oversubscribed for many years now...long before this process was adopted. Even when we are crap, the ground is still full.
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
People are way too sensitive these days.
Love to be offended.
Just play football without ramming everything down our throats every 2 minutes.
Love to be offended.
Just play football without ramming everything down our throats every 2 minutes.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
They are someone’s beliefs at the end of the day
One’s persons rubbish might be the next persons core value
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Some people believe the world is flat. Beliefs can certainly be rubbish.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Can also use this logic to say "just wear the stripey arm band and get on with the football match" to Ipswich's 'captain'.
