"As of 5pm on Wednesday 14th May, 10 days before the game (we do at least know the day), the Championship play-off final kick-off time is CBA TBA." - magnificent, fantastic piece of writing :)
As a comfortable middle-class professional with no kids or financial responsibility - even I've struggled this year with away travel.
I've no idea how clubs in L2 from much poorer areas manage the away travel.
The sky sports deal has been terrible for match-going fans; we're used to being treated like threats to national security by the police (something RFU fans don't experience - I know - I live in Twickenham); but the prices, general disdain and opportunism has gotten really distasteful this season.
Football is one of the finest things in this country - the bean counters have gotten out-of-hand - and I follow L2 football - I couldn't stomach the obnoxiousness of the 1st division.
Play-offs and Wembley are the best thing in football, in my view, only possibly beaten by the World Cup.
Time to cut the enormous waste of the bloated football executive, Sky Sports leaches and agents - annoyingly we will, as ever, have to vote with our feet (wallets) - which with something as romantic, mad, joyful and emotional as football - is easier said than done - especially when your little lad or lass wants to go.
This years price vs last years price as you say is not a fair comparison- since as you say they have re-categorise some of the seats to be more expensive. Would be interesting to see now what the average ticket price is. Each seat at category price/divided by total seats - that would paint the true price increase.
Nobody cares about the fans, and it’s getting worse, and until they do like Man City did in the semi final and not go, then the owners that be won’t do anything about it
At some point the game will jump the shark (happy days reference) and then they will struggle to get fans to come, until something is done
I deliberately didn't tot up how much it cost me to take missus and daughter to the L1 playoffs last year. Just too frightening. The only doing grace was that the official coach was similar to other London matches, so kudos to the club for that.
"As of 5pm on Wednesday 14th May, 10 days before the game (we do at least know the day), the Championship play-off final kick-off time is CBA TBA." - magnificent, fantastic piece of writing :)
This is absolutely spot-on.
As a comfortable middle-class professional with no kids or financial responsibility - even I've struggled this year with away travel.
I've no idea how clubs in L2 from much poorer areas manage the away travel.
The sky sports deal has been terrible for match-going fans; we're used to being treated like threats to national security by the police (something RFU fans don't experience - I know - I live in Twickenham); but the prices, general disdain and opportunism has gotten really distasteful this season.
Football is one of the finest things in this country - the bean counters have gotten out-of-hand - and I follow L2 football - I couldn't stomach the obnoxiousness of the 1st division.
Play-offs and Wembley are the best thing in football, in my view, only possibly beaten by the World Cup.
Time to cut the enormous waste of the bloated football executive, Sky Sports leaches and agents - annoyingly we will, as ever, have to vote with our feet (wallets) - which with something as romantic, mad, joyful and emotional as football - is easier said than done - especially when your little lad or lass wants to go.
This years price vs last years price as you say is not a fair comparison- since as you say they have re-categorise some of the seats to be more expensive. Would be interesting to see now what the average ticket price is. Each seat at category price/divided by total seats - that would paint the true price increase.
Either way - prices are very very high.
Not necessarily relevant to this piece specifically but using the word “Wembley” is like using the word “wedding” - it comes with a surcharge.
Coach hire companies: We’ve charged you £1200 for Charlton & Orient away. Going to Wembley? That’s £1700 please.
T-shirt printers:
It’s normally £10 per t-shirt. Oh you want it to say Wembley on it? That’s £15.
Etc etc.
I could go on about this all day!
Nobody cares about the fans, and it’s getting worse, and until they do like Man City did in the semi final and not go, then the owners that be won’t do anything about it
At some point the game will jump the shark (happy days reference) and then they will struggle to get fans to come, until something is done
I deliberately didn't tot up how much it cost me to take missus and daughter to the L1 playoffs last year. Just too frightening. The only doing grace was that the official coach was similar to other London matches, so kudos to the club for that.
£20 I paid for my Vertu Trophy Final ticket. No reason they can't charge the same for Playoff Finals.