Tom Reed is the editor of The Terrace Edition, a football culture magazine and he had this to say regarding ticket prices;
“…the poor are locked out of the game, which I think is a travesty, especially when it is supposed to be a family game and the people’s game.”
“It was the poor and the working class that kept the game going when it wasn’t fashionable and there weren’t these oligarchs or nation states taking over, those people who kept their clubs alive are part of the trade.”
To calculate the value of season tickets, the average season ticket prices were compared to the average cost of a single home match. With the bigger differences displaying value for money.
When comparing league clubs, the biggest differences were found from Sheffield United (£13.06), Huddersfield Town (£14.2) and Leeds United (£21.66). Whereas the lowest difference were from Middlesbrough (£5.31), Barnsley FC (£3.92) and Harrogate Town (£5.48).
If we look at non-league clubs the biggest differences were found with York City (£7.66), Bradford Park Avenue (£7.05) and Guiseley (£5.10). With the lowest being Liversedge (£0.53), Tadcaster Albion (£0.43) and Pontefract Collieries (£1.11).
Unsurprisingly, the data reveals that league clubs offer the most expensive tickets, but the non league outfits are showing the smallest difference in terms of season ticket prices and home ticket prices.
Meaning for the teams lower down it may not be beneficial to purchase a season ticket when only attending home matches.
Even with these affordable differences between tickets, football prices are surging year on year.
Leaving the working-class fan in a tough spot between affording their weekly escape and making ends meet.
Connor Coggin is a Leeds United fan by trade, but has travelled all across Yorkshire to experience match-days.
He had this to say about the current state of play regarding ticket prices;
