For West Ham supporters it was a sense of values betrayed. “The club should be ashamed that things have come to this,” said Michael, a supporter for 80 years, as he became the 20,000th signatory on a petition calling for the club to maintain all concessionary ticketing. For Spurs fans, a similar shock boiled down to a crystalised slogan – “Save our seniors” – and a pushback on plans related to reduced ticket prices. This month Manchester United supporters took to the streets to protest against concession cuts and price rises. As one banner put it: “Local lad Sir Jim charges £66 for OAPs and juniors. Stop exploiting loyalty.”
At a time when the Premier League is cementing its dominance as the world’s biggest domestic football league, securing a 17% increase in TV rights over the next three-year cycle while their rivals stand still, a spate of seemingly mindless penny-pinching has sparked dissent. The mood, involving supporters up and down the country, is one that hasn’t been seen since the Super League blew up.
