By David Gold at the Dolder Grand in Zurich
November 8 – The head of supporter relations at the Premier League, Cathy Long, has defended the pricing of tickets for fans wishing to watch games in the Premier League.
Prices have soared since the inception of the league in 1992, and now a non-corporate ticket can cost approximately £100 at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
Ticket prices vary dramatically throughout the league, with Arsenal’s pricing contrasting dramatically with the £10 seats which can be bought to watch Blackburn Rovers, but the issue has become an emotive one for fans who face an increasing struggle to afford to follow their favourite team.
“I don’t think pricing is as big a factor as other people think,” said Long, speaking at the International Football Arena.
“You can go to a Premier League match for £15.
“It might not be every match…there’s a higher demand for some clubs, but if you look at a team like Wigan Athletic, it’s astonishing the number of fans they get.
“Even Bolton Wanderers are doing remarkably well.
“When they were at their old stadium they had 4,000 season tickets, they’re now getting 20,000-25,000.”
With 92 per cent of seats sold in the Premier League, Long cited this as an example of its success, though she said that some teams had struggled to make fans feel at home when moving to new stadia, citing the examples of Arsenal and Manchester City.
“When [The Etihad Stadium, Manchester City’s Stadium] was built some fans did not want to go.
“It’s because it didn’t feel like home – when you don’t have any memories of a place it is strange for fans to go to the stadium.
“When Arsenal moved to the Emirates they did not take the clock from the old Clock End [of Highbury].
“It might not seem it but if to the fans it was important to have a clock, then you should have a clock.”
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