Season ticket sales at risk as supporters tighten belts

by 2011-02-15 14:41:01.000000

One in four Premier League and Football League season ticket holders are considering canceling their season tickets according the latest edition of Virgin Money's Football Fans' Inflation Index. Virgin Money's Football Fans' Inflation Index shows the cost of a match day for an individual is currently at £95.60 - 22.6 per cent higher than the level at launch three years ago (although lower than in September 2008 when the last figures were released).

The research was conducted among 3,887 Premier League and Football League fans and clubs most at risk include West Ham United, Blackburn and Newcastle United.

Even 36% of fans of Premier League and European champions Manchester United are considering giving up season tickets.

Virgin Money's Grant Bather said: "The recession is starting to bite football as fans count the cost of following the game. The game has been lucky so far but it looks like the winning run is over and the crunch is on the way.

"Football fans are legendarily loyal but when people are worried about losing their jobs something has to give and spending on season tickets is going to bear the brunt as supporters look to save money.

"No sector of the economy is immune from the downturn and clubs will have to start thinking about ways to make it easier for fans. To be fair there are signs that some clubs are responding but more needs to be done."

PERCENTAGE OF PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB FANS CONSIDERING CANCELLING SEASON TICKETS

West Ham 37%

Blackburn 37%

Newcastle 37%

Man Utd 36%

Tottenham 34%

Portsmouth 31%

Bolton 31%

Man City 31%

Portsmouth 31%

Everton 27%

Aston Villa 26%