[Albion] Andy, 29 from Sussex

[crodonilson]

Andy, 29, from Sussex​

Andy pays £545 for Brighton's cheapest season ticket which is the equivalent of £45 a month
Andy, who works in the charity industry, is considering not renewing his season ticket with Brighton next year because the financial toll of the cost of living crisis is taking his enjoyment away from football.

"It's harder to enjoy the day out and the game when your mind is on finances," he said.

"Football is something to enjoy as a release from normal life, a couple of hours a day with mates watching a game and being part of it.

"If I were to start struggling financially, I would need to get additional employment in order to top up my income.

"By not renewing my season ticket I would be saving a bit of money and my weekend would then be free to allow for some extra time to work weekend jobs."

Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63439943.amp

 

[Springal]

Makes sense

 

[JBizzle]

I think it's a genuine challenge facing more than just Andy, 29.

 

[Badger Boy]

Football has a massive problem with the cost of living crisis. The match day experience is getting more and more expensive, you're donating your time based on the wims of the TV schedule. The match highlights are so easily accessible and for free, so you really have to question whether the overall experience is worth the financial outlay. For a lot of people, including me - the scales tipped the other way some time ago and I do not regret my decision. It was no longer appropriate to plan my life around the shifting sands of the Albion's match schedule and I am happier for having made the change.

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

£45 does not include the cost of refreshments for each game, nor the cost of travel as public transport goes missing every other game and of course the half and half scarves are not getting any cheaper...

 

[Madafwo]

Gave up my season ticket this year after basically paying for last year's and not using it and I don't regret it for a second. Difficult to justify it to the wife that I'm disappearing for 5+ hours 19 times a year leaving her with the 2 kids to look after, being £60 a month better of was a bit of a bonus at first, essential now though, not including a pie and a pint.

It did make me realise that I only saw half a season of Potter's reign though, from August '19 to January '20.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

No surprise really. Football has been in a cocoon for too many years and will find in the coming recession that only people with a lot of disposable income will be able to afford going to matches. Not good for the average fan but will put values into some perspective. What surprises me is that the government haven’t put a 40% tax on player transfers. Perhaps something like this would get football finances into some kind of sensible state.
There’s always a non league team to support.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Would respectfully suggest that Andy, 29, keeps his ST on, only goes to games that fit in with his work schedule and puts all other games up on the ticket exchange. Cheapest option if you can attend, decent chance of recompense if can't attend. Best of both worlds no?

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Andy, 29, from Sussex​

Andy pays £545 for Brighton's cheapest season ticket which is the equivalent of £45 a month
Andy, who works in the charity industry, is considering not renewing his season ticket with Brighton next year because the financial toll of the cost of living crisis is taking his enjoyment away from football.

"It's harder to enjoy the day out and the game when your mind is on finances," he said.

"Football is something to enjoy as a release from normal life, a couple of hours a day with mates watching a game and being part of it.

"If I were to start struggling financially, I would need to get additional employment in order to top up my income.

"By not renewing my season ticket I would be saving a bit of money and my weekend would then be free to allow for some extra time to work weekend jobs."

Totally understandable, unfortunately Andy will not be alone in todays and tomorrows economic climate.
As others have alluded too, it is not just the cost of the ticket, yes travel maybe included if you live close, but there are extra travel costs for some, petrol, bus or train, just to get to the free zones for buses and trains. Then there are refreshments and food, and let's be honest we are a captive audience in the ground, and we ain't cheap are we.

 

[JBizzle]

£45 does not include the cost of refreshments for each game, nor the cost of travel as public transport goes missing every other game and of course the half and half scarves are not getting any cheaper...

I never thought I'd say this, but spare a thought for West Ham fans... It's £8 a pint at their mausoleum of a stadium

 

[Gazwag]

Totally understandable, unfortunately Andy will not be alone in todays and tomorrows economic climate.
As others have alluded too, it is not just the cost of the ticket, yes travel maybe included if you live close, but there are extra travel costs for some, petrol, bus or train, just to get to the free zones for buses and trains. Then there are refreshments and food, and let's be honest we are a captive audience in the ground, and we ain't cheap are we.

Although there is nothing to force you to spend any money once you arrive at Falmer. If you are hungry make a sandwich at home and eat it on the way to the ground, if you are thirsty ask for some tap water in the ground

 

[sydney]

"charity industry".....there's the problem right there , it's a contradiction in itself ....maybe employees of "the charity industry" should be offered concession tickets.

 

[sydney]

Totally understandable, unfortunately Andy will not be alone in todays and tomorrows economic climate.
As others have alluded too, it is not just the cost of the ticket, yes travel maybe included if you live close, but there are extra travel costs for some, petrol, bus or train, just to get to the free zones for buses and trains. Then there are refreshments and food, and let's be honest we are a captive audience in the ground, and we ain't cheap are we.

perhaps the players could salary sacrifice 10% of their wages to be put into a fund to pay for charity workers and volunteers to attend the odd game here and there with a 15 quid hospitality voucher , fill those annoying , empty seats and brighten up someones week end .....times are tough , top earners have to help out.

 

[timbha]

Delete

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Although there is nothing to force you to spend any money once you arrive at Falmer. If you are hungry make a sandwich at home and eat it on the way to the ground, if you are thirsty ask for some tap water in the ground

True, but peer pressure sometimes comes into play, and if the costs were not so high, then maybe you could afford a pie and pint, maybe a nice gesture every now and again by the club, for season ticket holders or general folk would be a pie and pint £5.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I think it's a genuine challenge facing more than just Andy, 29.

It is.

Seven years ago we moved seats to accommodate a bigger group that included a mate and his son who, at the time, lived round the corner and we travelled to games with. His son's ticket was not renewed this season (at 16 he's working weekends and more interested in girls and skateboarding) and his ticket will not be renewed next season for financial reasons, effectively reducing our group by two. The bloke who used to sit behind me has also lost his ticket due to a direct debit default.

 

[timbha]

I presume “Andy” is receiving an income so not sure his situation is any different to any other lower paid people.
I think the club allows either the carer or the person cared for to have a free ST.
Yes the players are very well paid, they pay UK taxes and cannot be expected to take a pay cut every time there is a financial crisis

 

[beorhthelm]

when circumstances change, what you prioritise to do, what and how much to spend, changes. thats life.

 

[spoonie]

Gave up my season ticket this year after basically paying for last year's and not using it and I don't regret it for a second. Difficult to justify it to the wife that I'm disappearing for 5+ hours 19 times a year leaving her with the 2 kids to look after, being £60 a month better of was a bit of a bonus at first, essential now though, not including a pie and a pint.

It did make me realise that I only saw half a season of Potter's reign though, from August '19 to January '20.

I look at this a different way to its only 19 times a season - there is 346 more days in the year to do stuff with Family etc. Definitely need to have something to look forward to that's not just the mundane work etc, and with a ticket in the north stand £45 month , this would be the absolute last thing I gave up ?

 

[sydney]

how do you quote me but not actually say anything...??