As the current global financial crisis tightens the purse strings, some Manchester United supporters have turned to the Office of Fair Trading to look into the 60% rise in some season ticket prices, and the compulsory "Automatic Cup Ticket Scheme" that's in place at Old Trafford.
Since Malcom Glazier took full control of Manchester United in 2005, match-going supporters have seen an incredible rise in some season ticket prices in the last three years, as well as a 41% increase in various single home game tickets.
The start of the 2004 season was watched by United season ticket holders in the Upper Centre of the North Stand at a cost of £532. At the start of the 2008 season the same seats cost supporters £912—with the cheapest season tickets coming in at a more respectable £494.
This price will not include the now compulsory Automatic Cup Ticket Scheme which, depending on cup progression, can add upto £504 to the original ticket price. The most expensive season ticket at Old Trafford will now cost loyal supporters £1414.
Although Portsmouth fans have seen an incredible 17.5% increase in their mid-range season tickets this season, the most expensive at Fratton Park costing £925, a reported 19 % of last years Manchester United season ticket holders are apparently not going to be renewing them for this season.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust have logged an official complaint with the Office of Fair Trading, claiming the season ticket terms and conditions at United are in breach of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations Act.
They are also stating that the Manchester United compulsory Automatic Cup Ticket Scheme and their pricing policy is in breach of The Competition Act.
A meeting will take place in Westminster on December 10th to look into the complaints logged with the Office of Fair Trading by the Manchester United Supporters Trust.
The Automatic Cup Ticket Scheme
The compulsory scheme at United apparently forces fans to buy the extra Cup package when renewing their season tickets—whether they can attend the games or not—otherwise they will not be able to renew their current tickets.
One supporter last season purchased his new season ticket in May, received his conformation of the purchase from the club and was told the tickets would be delivered shortly. He then reportedly received another letter from the club stating that he would not receive the paid for ticket, or could expect a refund, unless he signed up for the Automatic Cup Scheme.
The supporter refused to purchase the ACS tickets due to commitments limiting him from attending mid-week cup games and with the added fear of the unknown final ticket prices. Unwanted tickets can be resold via the clubs own special ticket system but crucially fans cannot sell their unwanted tickets until United have sold all of their own.
Some supporters are happy with the less-hassle system, meaning they do not have to spend time purchasing the extra tickets for Cup games. However, some supporters are disgusted with the idea of being forced to purchase the scheme and the refusal by the club to renew their season ticket if supporters refuse to sign up.
The system has been defended by the club and a revision of the scheme in January of this year by chief executive, David Gill, has seen an added option to opt out of Carling Cup games if preferred—an option that will also mean you will not be allowed to apply for away tickets—with the junior season ticket holders being able to refuse the cup scheme altogether.
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about 1 month ago
Nah I dont agree with it , Fans are the ones who give the team a lift , who follow them across europe , Glazer has took the p**s out of fans , and the Auto cup scheme is a dreadful Idea , some supporters arent available every single game of the season , so why would they want a cup ticket if they are working for instance , yes they could sell it on but its forking out for it beforehand .
I understand that we have world class talent who we have to pay to see , but they look like a pea from the Old trafford stands anyway , and then its murder to get to the loo , get a beer and butty etc ..... plus the programme is about a fiver , it is way too much of an increase .
On the other hand , I saw it coming , Glazer got the club in debt , so the wages , transfer fees etc ...have to come from somewhere , and basically its the fans who are wholly paying for Berbatovs transfer and Ronaldo's wages etc ....
I dont blame the fans , my ex boss was a season ticket holder , once Glazer took over and put these stupid american ticket prices in place he gave up his season ticket because he refused to pay 1400 pound a season , and that was without his CL tickets , he is now an investor in FC United and has nothing to do with Man U anymore , Traitor :0)
I have to say mr Argumentative that you done a nice piece here , ill pick it and 5 star it .
By the way have u seen that scouse lad on you tube doing Rafa , Carra , Gerro , Owen and crouch impersanations ? classic !
from about 1 month ago
Its definatly a double edged sword to have someone like Glazier take over with a leveraged buy out, you may have millions for the transfer funds/wages etc but i personally wouldnt want the club with close to three quarters of a billion pounds in debt, with 60 million in interest a month alone.
Man united definatly have been a great business in the last decade and its obviously working on the pitch in terms of success.
However, if fergie leaves, whoever they bring in as a replacement, will they be able to replicate the success of fergie, if they cant and united dont win anything for a few years and the big money stops coming in and players look to leave, what happens to the business when it starts losing money?
If the debt can be handled well enough then its ok but if things go wrong will the club be crippled by its incredible overheads? Im certianly not suggesting they will do a leeds, but when fergie leaves there is a good possibility that they can slip down the table and wind up a 3rd or 4th place team on a reguler basis, if they have to start selling players, or they want to leave if united stop winning things for a few years in a row (ie arsenal) then i dont see the busness being able to handle that.
I certainly back the united fans when it comes to things like this, and I hope you know by now that im not bias against United simply because they are my teams apparent sworn enemy.
Thanks for your comments, it always means a little more when it comes from a united supporter. And thanks for the picks.
I didnt see the impersonater, I will have a look for him thanks.
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