kwsaint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I don't want to hear the "you should always watch saints regardless of the cost because that is rubbish. Especially in this economic climate, i'm interested to find out at what people would say no. I'd say anything over £60 for the cheapest ticket at sms and I'd contemplate not going. Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I think £30 is as high as it should go. However that won't happen nowadays. The maximum I would pay is £40-45 unless it was a cup final or something. I know a lot of people who went during the lower leagues years that don't go now due to cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It's already gone past that point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint_bert Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I would knock it on the head if it was costing me £50 a ticket. Not because I couldn't afford it, but I just don't think clubs need to charge that. It's ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warsash saint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It's already gone past that point. This. Had a season ticket for years but now due to the high prices, wife, kids etc I have to sadly pick & choose my games Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 At the moment I can just about justify it, living with parents, not having a wife or kids, etc, but if I didn't have the disposable income I would sack it off and just go to a few games a season. Personally don't think any football match should cost more than £30. £40 I have to have a real think about whether it's worth it, and £50 is a no go regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diggers Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 As I now live abroad I don't have the decision to make, but before I left, I found it difficult to justify an afternoon costing me more than £100 when both my teenagers beg me to tag along, I think an away trip is more of an occasion so easier to make a self justification of a financial blow out on the basis of it (for me and my mates at least) being a weekender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downthe36 Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I'm right on the limit of that now, if any fair sized unexpected expenses had come up in May/June I wouldn't have been able to renew. As it was the car kindly waited until this month to let go on me in a big way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minty Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It's all relative. If I was still young, single and living at home, then chances are I would go most weeks still, but I have higher priorities for my finite amount of money now that I'm none of those things. I know plenty of people who still put football as a priority no matter what... that's their choice. I will try to get to a few games this season but the combination of money and time make it very difficult. Plus I work every Saturday, which doesn't help either. I couldn't put an exact value on it... I have an amount I'm happy to spend each season, and so as tickets get more expensive I guess I'll just go to less games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintfully Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Can't justify total expense more than once or twice per season now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I cut down on my away days (From about 60% to 30%), when local pubs started showing the games live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I'm pretty much there at the moment. I'm very fortunate to have a free ST this year, otherwise I can see that I really wouldn't be going very often. Its more of a choice thing than a matter of not being able to afford it, I just don't see the recquisite value in spending £40 and upwards for a match ticket when I can watch on a stream for free (plus more and more pubs are showing Saints games now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 (edited) Our 2 STs combined are £121 a month for 10 months, that's a pretty big chunk o' cash. I could probably justify up to £1000 for one ST provided I could spread the payments over a year, which is nevertheless a frankly insane near £50 per home match (this would be for a discounted ticket in the cheapest bit of the ground). I think at that point I might just consider only going when I felt like it. We went to 10 aways last season, suspect it'll be 3 or 4 at most this year, though I may do a few nearby Newport games (Oxford, Portsmouth if I don't go to Newcastle, then maybe Burton, and Exeter if I don't go to Liverpool). Much of this will depend on mates' availability though. Edited 14 August, 2013 by The9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 AS an OAP living away from Southampton I cannot afford PL prices and the cost of travel so after going to matches since 1962 I doubt I will go to many more live ones but will follow the team on TV on the Internet and in the Press Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It's not about the cost to me, it's about the cost in relation to my disposable income. It could prob go up to 100 a game and I'd pay it at the moment, but in 5 years time it could be 40 a game and I'd not be able to pay it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Balls Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 The amount the club makes from sky, it would be nice to see ticket prices lowered. I'm lucky that I only pay for me. I wouldn't be able to afford the money if I was paying for 2 kids as well. No longer a working mans game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish fingers Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It's pretty much at a point now where i'm losing interest due to the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSFC Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 For me the amount I would pay is directly relevant to my perception of value for money...dont get me wrong, I love going to games but at a time when money is not flowing in decisions have to be made. Given the fact that I can watch every game in the pub whilst having a few beers and not neccessarily spend the price of a ticket and thats the choice. Its not the same but its still good in a full pub. The choice to go spend my income at the ground (unfortunately) is down to money but if our team was Barcelona for example I would be very likely to spend upwards of 70/80 a game. If we do end up signing Osvaldo or similar quality and we are winning then financially its obviously better value for money and my likely 6 games this year could turn into 12+ plus a few more away games than usual!! And before I am deemed a plastic thats certanly not the case, I've had ST's for many years in the past but finances prevail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZebadeeRust Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Unfortunately I'm already passed that point. I may be able to go to see saints once a season as a birthday treat. I can (and have) pick up an entire season ticket for my local league 1 club for £100. In terms of value there's no competition. It makes me sad that I can't afford more with a young family but I'd rather get the enjoyment of an entire season watching entertaining (if somewhat lower quality) football than going to see Saints more than twice a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joensuu Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Beyond my threshold already. Happy to go to 5 or 6 games a season at current prices, but simply can't justify spending more than around £25 a game on a regular basis. Having said that, I'd probably still go to 2 or 3 games a season at £50 a pop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Not much more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Uwe Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 As others have answered so far, I think a lot depends on how close you live to Southampton. Coming from Mid Devon, I think I worked out that a matchday ticket this year plus transport, programme etc would be around £70-80. Could be driven down a bit if I shared transport, but even so, you are still looking at £50 a game minimum. And that would involve simply watching the game, and not seeing friends, family etc. Now that ticket prices are that much higher in the Prem, it feels more like getting tickets for a big concert at Wembley etc; certainly not something I could afford to do every couple of weeks. I'd like to try and see one game this season as I haven't been to St Mary's for nearly four years! But to be honest my life is different now; I have a young family and whilst I would love to watch Saints more often, it just isn't a priority any more - too much other s*** to sort out every day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 When you think that an Average ticket increase of £5 only raises an extra £2.8mil if sold out, its not a huge commercial contribution, but woudl fund a £40k a week salary... this is the problem. If w ewant to be competitive in this league we need to maximise revenues. Yep biggest chunk is from TV, around 50 mil, with gates probably peaking at around £17mil (if we can average a ticket price including all kids and concessions) - 70-80mil in revenue would mean approx 45mil for playing squad - which is only 22 players on average of 30k a week when you afctor in all NIs and other associated costs... so we do have to make our choices - do we want better more expensive players or cheaper football? ironically its those lower table clubs that have less comemrcial revenue, that need to charge more, yet are often cheaper due to supply and demand... teh gap just widens and will *****inue to do so, as those top clubs get round FP rules through mega sponsorship deals.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinger Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I had to pretty much stop after we got promoted to the Prem. Can only really foresee my going a couple of times this term. It's a shame, but that's all I can really justify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjsaint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Wouldn't go to Man City away, which is £55. Happy to pay £40 though. So my breaking point is in between the two. If every match was, say £50-60 I wouldn't boycott completely but would go less frequently. For me though ticket prices are only one portion of the cost (transport, inevitable drinking etc) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericb Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Thought this season would be the season i couldn't afford it anymore (and i've had one since the late 80s) but can still "just" do it. Imagine next season it'll break the £680 mark at which point i'll be done. As for aways mine have dropped off significantly, since i refuse to pay over £40 for a ticket to a game of football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simondo Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Next years ST I suspect..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Next years ST I suspect..! Yep me too..after many years of a ST I think its getting too dear for me and the enjoyment factor has gone too. 4 mates have not renewed this season so may join them next in just selecting a few. I paid 960ish for my 2 this year....thats plenty of golf and weekends away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarehamRed Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I had to "trade in" Sky Sports for my ST. So, I saved £400 per year be ditching SP, but I really miss it (esp with the Ashes this year). Very difficult to justify both Sky Sports and a ST. I don't think ST prices will need to get too much higher to reverse the decision. If they do, like many on here, I'll end up picking & choosing games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewell Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I am a lucky one who has a decent salary, no dependants or commitments other than paying my mortgage on a house I purchased within the last year. I don't live in Southampton so I have to factor in cost of train fair or driving usually on my own. All this being the case getting a seaaon ticket probably isn't an option as I still play Saturday football but getting to the point I don't feel comfortable paying over £30 per game but I have often stretched to around £40 per match. Over that unless it is a cup final or a match of huge significance then I would leave it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Saint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I think I am there now. This year could be the last year. However it isn't pric that will force me away (at least not yet) but the scheduling of matches. I am completely fed up with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
del boy Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It's already gone past that point. this - except the annual Xmas / New Year treat for which I can save up for during the rest of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wurzel Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Afraid it's already gone past that stage for me as well. Premier League football is now something I have accepted carries on without me. I'm still just as interested in results and how we played etc, but as far as attending games go it'll be one or two a season as a treat. Contrast with Hampshire's T20 games, all of which I attended this season (for the first time) at a cost of between £12.50 and £20 a game. Affordable, all but one were very entertaining with tense exciting finishes, and I've already decided I'm going again next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It's pretty much at a point now where i'm losing interest due to the cost. me to. I can still afford to go, but I just find it hard to justify paying that sort of money to watch footie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I had to "trade in" Sky Sports for my ST. So, I saved £400 per year be ditching SP, but I really miss it (esp with the Ashes this year). Very difficult to justify both Sky Sports and a ST. I don't think ST prices will need to get too much higher to reverse the decision. If they do, like many on here, I'll end up picking & choosing games. I use not having SKY to justify the cost of a season ticket. Then I watch the other games, cricket included, on web feeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmacian_saint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 As it's unlikely that I'll be living in Southampton in a years time this year is probably the top. Having said this my ticket actually costs less (I'm a renewal this year) so I'm actually pleased. However I'm lucky enough to live within an acceptable walking distances to SMS, I can only imagine the costs that other people incur on match days, especially if they come from outside the city (or even the county). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Interesting points regarding travel costs - I had an ST in 2001/2 when I lived in South Wales, and went to a lot of matches in 2002/3 as well - and there is absolutely NO way I could do that now (everything else being the same) just based on increased petrol costs alone. I tried to get the train when possible, but often had to drive due to late postponements of matches I'd have been playing in (esp in 02/03). Would have been about £20 petrol and £4 for the Bridge, compared to about £40 + £6.20 now, without even considering the cost of food, drink and match ticket. Having said that, the wife managed to get a ticket to Newport on Saturday last week for £20 on the day, so maybe it's just about getting lucky or planning (which isn't easy with tv times either). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmacian_saint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I think I am there now. This year could be the last year. However it isn't pric that will force me away (at least not yet) but the scheduling of matches. I am completely fed up with it So true. I've never been a fan of the Monday night games (going down for Everton last year was a pain, especially in the middle of all the snow and icy paths, as was Norwich on the Wednesday) but I'm ok with it. What ****es me off is the constant Saturday to Sunday to Saturday twists. The match timetables should be more carefully planned and set. For example last year we just seemed to get loads of Sunday afternoon games which would start at 3, then 4, then 3 again, then 1.30....you basically have to plan your weekends around the games. I also play football on Sundays and had to miss loads of games because of the constant time changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsaint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Next years ST I suspect..! This pretty much sums it up for me too tbh. I always expected this years season tickets to go up but was still pretty miffed when they did knowing full well how much the new TV deal was worth to the club. As it stands I'm fortunate enough that I can afford a ST, but I'm reaching the point where I'm questioning whether its value for money anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I've just moved back from living abroad and have splashed out on a season ticket, but I'm getting near my limit. I'll need to get some work fairly quickly so that I'm able to afford to get to the ground... at the moment just the ST is _all_ my year's entertainment budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints boy in Leeds Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I would knock it on the head if it was costing me £50 a ticket. Not because I couldn't afford it, but I just don't think clubs need to charge that. It's ridiculous. I know, when I started watching saints back in the 90's it used to cost me £2 to stand, mental when you think it cost me just under £10 to get a train from Winchester to Southampton, get to watch the match and buy a program, mental. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didcot Saint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I think its too expensive now. Lucky to have had a ST for near on 30 Years but cant afford to go away now. Love Saints, i love watching them but it is now becoming a bit tight, i think £50 per game would be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It passed that point years ago. I only watch non league football these days. I simply refuse to pay some of the ludicrous prices being charged these days. Sick of over paid players crying like babies when they fall over and behaving like complete ****s off the field. Football's become a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangkoksaint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 I love my club. There is a special feeling whenever I see us play or someone mentions them. I live in the north west and my 6 year old wears Saints kits day in day out. Going to see them though now has just become too expensive. We go when we can but everything about our club is being lost to the runaway train that is The Premier League. It's no good harping on about loyalty etc because it has nothing to do with it. I remember only three seasons ago going to places like Tranmere, Oldham and Walsall. We didn't win em all (Infact out of those we only won one - battering Oldam) and I got as much enjoyment there as I do from Prem football. For me seeing Saints win is what means most and if I can afford to do that then personally I'd prefer lesser opposition. But I don't want to lose football and I want my son to grow up watching live games, smelling the freshness of the pitches and feeling the cold of a January night as many of us did. So what have I done to make sure I can give him this experience? Well we've joined Crewe Alexandra as members and we go there. We sit in a nice stadium, we have good seats and we get a live game for the princely sum of £21 for both of us. We will never desert Saints but we just have to pick and chose now and not go as often. I just wish the powers that be would wake up and smell the coffee because if we're not careful there will be a lost generation who don't go to live games and get their experience from Sky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bananaman Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 Can't justify total expense more than once or twice per season now. This for me.. Turns into £150 day out at least... That's if I'm being careful.. Having a kid now etc means I can't justify silly money.. One or two trips a season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stthrobber Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It's already gone past that point. This, for me it's now over £30 a ticket and with £50-60 a tank on petrol costs and food on top, I'm just not prepared to shell out that much any more. I now work 2 weekends in 4 which I didn't before, so time is also precious. If Bundesliga clubs don't charge their fans the money that Premier League clubs do then I don't understand why we can't use their financial models and stop fleecing the paying customer. Nothing will change until the paying customer wakes up and realises that they are being fleeced something chronic. Football supporting seems to be a one way thing these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steeleye Saint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 me to. I can still afford to go, but I just find it hard to justify paying that sort of money to watch footie. Yes I'd agree - it's getting ridiculous now so any higher and I won't be going as often, if at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpweySaint Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 As others has said we're there or there abouts now. I was upset by the removal of student prices and the new "must have a child" policy for the family area. My brother (a training teacher) and myself have dropped out of going to the sunderland game due to the price (how they decide which games are cat A,B and C is also rather strange with Cardiff and Sunderland both B!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 As others has said we're there or there abouts now. I was upset by the removal of student prices and the new "must have a child" policy for the family area. My brother (a training teacher) and myself have dropped out of going to the sunderland game due to the price (how they decide which games are cat A,B and C is also rather strange with Cardiff and Sunderland both B!). Still there isn't it? At least, I thought I got one for Sunderland... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 14 August, 2013 Share Posted 14 August, 2013 It passed that point years ago. I only watch non league football these days. I simply refuse to pay some of the ludicrous prices being charged these days. Sick of over paid players crying like babies when they fall over and behaving like complete ****s off the field. Football's become a joke. There was me thinking it was meant to be enjoyable... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now