Fans Focus
In this section we bring you articles written by North End fans on many subjects, some North End related, others just football related.
We're always looking for new articles to add, so if you have anything to contribute to fans focus, then get in touch at webmaster@psg.me.uk.
Could We Ever Compete With This?
Geoff Ollerton
Monday 26th February 2007
A friend and I were fortunate enough to be able to attend the Carling Cup Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to see Arsenal take on Chelsea.
Prior to the match we wandered around the city centre soaking up the atmosphere and finally made our way into Yates Wine Bar for a couple of pre match pints. We were in the company of a bar full of 'gooners' and what good company they were.
Of course the discussions centred around our respective clubs and the various problems we encountered in supporting them, i.e. rearranged match times / dates etc. We found that we all had similar problems concerning these but that is where the similarities ceased.
On gates the differences couldn't be more profound. Whereas we struggle along on 14,000/15,000 they fill their ground for almost every game apart from maybe FA Cup and League Cup matches. "The thing is", they said "nowadays we don't really talk much of league games or 'minor' cup competitions, our time is taken by Champions League matches and the like". By this they were not being disrespectful but simply telling it how it is.
On prices, as one of them said, clubs such as Blackburn, Bolton or Wigan will have to reduce prices in order to hope to fill their grounds. But Arsenal will not reduce them simply because they don't need to! "If I decide it's too expensive and stop going there is someone waiting ready to take my place" said one. And at £990 for a season ticket in the area these lads sit that is some money rolling in.
"We pay around £200+ to watch Arsenal play in Europe and we don't just do one game, we travel to most games, it costs a fortune, but we are supporters and that's what supporter do."
Would we, could we do it at Preston? Would we be happy with season ticket prices anywhere near the prices at Arsenal? Somehow I don't think we would.
|
