Last week I was part of the @FulhamSuppTrust monthly meeting with @FulhamFC. Plenty discussed [fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2018/10/1…] but more than a little worried by the club’s stance on ticket pricing. 
IMO it’s a priority issue at any club – as a fan what is more important than actually being able to watch the game for an affordable price?
As raised at the meeting - Fulham charging up to *£65* for the upcoming home game against Bournemouth. That was up to *£75* against Arsenal. And Fulham’s reputation is as a family club? OK then.
A reminder – West Brom received **£94 million** in TV money for finishing *bottom* of the Premier League last season. And 11 of 20 Premier League clubs could have made profits with empty stadiums in 2016/17.
Why why why hammer the match-going fan? bbc.com/sport/football…
Why why why hammer the match-going fan? bbc.com/sport/football…
The club said: they understood but didn’t necessarily agree. Tasked with becoming “more commercial” (worrying), saying that they had rewarded season ticket holders (true-ish), give a number of free tickets away at certain games to very poor children in the community (fair play).
Yet overall? It doesn’t answer the TV money point. When you consider that the club stands to make, give or take, £10-12 million from ticketing, it’s chicken feed to that. Particularly given what it would cost to subsidise current prices down to, say, the £30 paid by away fans.
Nor is it a stretch to say - as evidenced at other clubs - the more you charge, the more of a price you pay for any potential atmosphere. See numerous other Premier League clubs.
The more you pay, the more the sense of entitlement. The club doesn’t need that. It needs fans.
The more you pay, the more the sense of entitlement. The club doesn’t need that. It needs fans.
With Fulham, it’s particularly worrying because it effectively creates tiers within the fan base. Of course, season ticket holders need to be rewarded for loyalty (and were pre-promotion). But STHs could come in the first place…because at some point in the past it was affordable
Exhibit A)
What’s as worrying: through talking to fans, I know of an increasing number who used to be able to come to Fulham and now can’t afford it. Again, I go back to the TV money which the club’s taking. It is not right that the club is effectively taken away from them.
Support Fulham in the Championship. Club wins promotion. Ramp up general ticket prices. Bit like saying: “Yeah, thanks for your support then but now we’re looking for a different kind of fan now.”
You could say: “Well – what did you expect after promotion?” “It’s not like this is anything new.”
It still does not make it right. It needs highlighting precisely because it is not right and because it is still happening.
It still does not make it right. It needs highlighting precisely because it is not right and because it is still happening.
Put simply, as mooted here, the club has to think much longer term on this issue than it is currently doing so.
A football club trying to maintaining its soul > spending millions and millions and millions on new players, shafting fans for an extra couple of million.
If you’re a Fulham fan and you’re not already, can only encourage you to sign up to the @FulhamSuppTrust to support us on issues like this. Your support is needed. fulhamsupporterstrust.com/join-us/
And if you’re not a Fulham fan, your support too is needed / appreciated – on issues like this, the tribalism has to go.
For any Fulham fans wanting to voice Supporters Trust issues to me, do follow over @archie_fst too.
