Premiership Bubble Bursting

[wws]

Because of television, not alcohol.

is 12 am on a sunday really primetime tv wise???

[Clifford]

My opinion FWIW,

It's not so much the prices as the disdain shown to fans that is driving people to not bother. I'm quite glad the happy clappers and the bandwagon idiots are going to be gone soon, only thing is it will be like Italy with a load of half empty stad, but with roaring atmosphere. Maybe even a tackle will be allowed again and people will stop fawning over the fraud that is dim david et al.

11 o clock kick offs for sky, piped music through tannoys, e-mails telling you the team will be upset if your not there Sunday etc..will all continue til the next round of negotiations for the tv rights, then Chels, MU etc will be forced to go off and work alone. I hope they enjoy the Super lg, let the rest of the
clubs to work away. The Arse would be worse affected cos who's to say if they will even be included in that elite, even with a 60,000 seater.

Added to this, is the lack of local lads plying their trade for the clubs and breaking through into the first team, or even a rival team, has been totally diminished and the foreign lads have no need or desire to build a rapport with the fans, with one or two notable exceptions.

The trend will go full circle until we have 8 or 9 academy players in the clubs first and second teams (see Man City as an early debt ridden example Jordan, Barton, SWP, Ireland, BWP, Croft, Onohua and maybe some others all in or on the brink of making it into 1st team squad). Other teams are developing their academies and will reap the rewards if patience is shown (Boro, Villa and others)

I think the cost of going to most clubs with the exception of Chelski is acceptable. Generally between 23-28 sterling (45 euro for 70 mins seemed to get rid of fans for All Ire semi finals of hurling and football). Brum and others sometimes take the mick for away fans, but the Arsenal, man u and Pool are all decently priced at the end of the day.

It's a complex issue with so many aspects.

Most people I know who are disillusioned with football are Man United fans and Pool fans? Says it all for me really.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Since when?? I can't remember hooliganism inside a English stadium featuring Liverpool. Much worse happens on the continent, but their showcase games never kick-off at 12pm. When was the last time, there was violence inside/outside Anfield or OT, when both sides have met? 18 months ago, the sides met at 3pm on a Saturday. Why was our game moved yesterday?? Because of television, not alcohol.

I hope when the 24-hour drinking regulations come into force in the UK, these ghastly kick-off times will be phased out, as fans will be able to get p'eyed just as much at 9am, as at 9pm.

I'll agree that the dominant force at play is Television and the revenue it generates -but the local police forces take these games deadly seriously.

I'm a Leeds supporter and have been over there when Man U are coming to town. West Yorkshire Police can and do virtually close Leeds down. They "ask" pubs to close and object to the licence renewals of those that don't -hence -everyone closes. Leeds is a ghost town when Man U are due -this despite the fact the ManU supporters don't get into Leeds City Center at all. They're herded like sheep (appropriatley ) onto buses and shuttled to and from Elland Road without so much as a **** stop. If Leeds were playing the West Yorkshire Constabulary Amatuer League side rather than ManU -the away team would have more support on show.

The police have found this approach to big games minimises trouble so they repeat it throughout Britain and the FA's are happy to oblige as they don't want to run the risk of trouble and the bad press it brings either.

As to that actual risk of trouble -though neither Liverpool nor ManU are the worst offenders -these two are known, for example, to chant highly provocative stuff at each other (Munich related crap from the 'pool, Hillsborough referencing "96 more" type bile from the mancs) and it's not hard to imagine this stuff getting out of hand if the police didn't take such a keen interest in making sure these games get on and over as early as possible.

[pete]

I always think its funny the way the media write about the over-hyped Premiership & lack of coverage for the rest of Uk football but then devote almost their entire football section to the Premiership.

[tetsujin1979]

I always think its funny the way the media write about the over-hyped Premiership & lack of coverage for the rest of Uk football but then devote almost their entire football section to the Premiership.

It's not that odd, how much time and space is given by the big papers to Division 1 in Spain (can't think of it's name off the top of my head) or Serie B in Italy, or Ligue 2 in France, etc?? The top teams have the most fans, so they'll be more likely to buy the paper that has the most stories which affect their team (either match reviews/player interviews/match previews/etc).
It's hardly the journalists fault they can't write more about the lower leagues, if they are ordered to write about Barcelona/AC Milan/Ajax/Chelsea to sell more papers

[mypost]

As to that actual risk of trouble -though neither Liverpool nor ManU are the worst offenders -these two are known, for example, to chant highly provocative stuff at each other (Munich related crap from the 'pool, Hillsborough referencing "96 more" type bile from the mancs) and it's not hard to imagine this stuff getting out of hand if the police didn't take such a keen interest in making sure these games get on and over as early as possible.

Does that mean that chants are now "banned"? Yeah, the ko time is really going to stop fans chanting at each other. Sure, if they don't want to control crowds, why don't they just go the whole way, and just cancel the games altogether?? Then they could eliminate all risk.

As I said before, having early ko times ruins the atmosphere, and inconveniences people, players, officials, and fans. As for the troublemakers, they should be prevented from going to the games in the first place. You don't see flashpoint games with 12pm ko's in Belgium, Holland, Italy, or Spain, when sometimes the police have to deal with running battles, inside and around the stadium every time, the clubs meet.

Even if that is the case, how do the UKP explain why Merseyside derbies should ko at 12.30pm, when both sets of fans are from the same families, and there is Zero trouble at the games??

As usual, the majority law-abiding fans suffer, because of the actions of a few.

[Macy]

Why was our game moved yesterday??

Because of the trouble. There's trouble, or attempts to cause trouble at every United v Liverpool game (and remember the "battle bus" before you attempt to pin it all on United).

It's nothing to do with TV, as sky would prefer a 4pm kick off as they get bigger audiences...

[Macy]

From manchesteronline.co.uk

TICKET prices are up and crowds are down.

The Barclays Premiership is under the spotlight for the wrong reasons after a weekend which saw fans stay away from top-flight games in their droves.

It has never been so easy to find a ticket for a Premiership game, but that is not good news for the clubs, particularly the likes of Sunderland, Aston Villa, Wigan and Blackburn whose home matches were notable for seats left unfilled at the weekend.

The Stadium of Light was not even two-thirds full for the visit of West Brom, and attendances on Wearside are markedly down - almost by 10,000 - on the crowds which flocked there the last time Sunderland were in the elite.

Villa have spent big on players recently, shelling out £10million on Milan Baros and Wilfred Bouma, but there were almost 9,000 seats empty for the home game against Tottenham.

Wigan owner Dave Whelan had expressed hope of filling the JJB Stadium in his club's first Premiership season, but 16,641 people in a venue which holds 25,000 for the visit of Middlesbrough suggests otherwise.

Blackburn's position is alarming. The 1995 champions offer some of the cheapest tickets in the division but their crowd of 20,725 for yesterday's visit of Newcastle was made more alarming given the visitors brought a huge following.

The Ewood Park capacity is 31,367, yet their support has fallen away since the heyday of Jack Walker, Kenny Dalglish and Alan Shearer.

Clubs have been criticised for raising prices above the level of inflation, and prices on the continent are far more affordable.

The cheapest ticket at Chelsea is £48, and football in the capital is particularly expensive, but across the country prices have shot up.

In the Championship, it can cost up to £45 to watch Leeds, while League One side Gillingham offer top-priced £37 tickets.

Compare that to mainland Europe and the difference is alarming.

To stand at Bayern Munich costs a bargain £8, as do limited places at Ajax, while seats at French champions Lyon go for as little as £14.

The roaming fan can watch Juventus for £25 or Barcelona for £30, less than it costs for a good view and comfortable seat at the Priestfield Stadium.

[Macy]

Most people I know who are disillusioned with football are Man United fans and Pool fans? Says it all for me really.

Most of my mates aren't dissillusioned anymore - they're watching FC, no jesters hats or sky TV....

[Clifford]

Most of my mates aren't dissillusioned anymore - they're watching FC, no jesters hats or sky TV....

Good for them, they'll enjoy the craic there I imagine. Good crowds and banter.

[Clifford]

Maybe whiskey nose wants to join the easy option of F CUM as well at this stage...

'FERGIE BANS MUTV'

SIR ALEX FERGUSON is refusing to speak to Manchester United's TV station MUTV after one of their presenters criticised his tactics and formation.

Fergie took exception to comments made by presenter Paul Anthony after United's 0-0 Champions League draw with Villarreal last week and has snubbed the station since.

The United boss refused to speak to the channel before or after the weekend clash at Liverpool in protest at the remarks and the negative tone of the post-match show.

[anto1208]

Good for them, they'll enjoy the craic there I imagine. Good crowds and banter.

how?

i thought this team was set up by the so called utd fans that turned there back on there team !!

so all you will have there is a bunch of whinging manc tw ats sounds like great craic allright


as for the bubble bursting , they need to sort it out now before it goes down the road of europeen football , who wants to watch italian footy no one not even the italians !!

[Dublin12]

What should happen is this:
Players earn more money now than ever and ticket prices have risen therefore we should get more entertainment on the pitch,50 minutes each half instead of 45.
1 point for a 0/0 draw
2 points for a score draw
3 points for a win by 1 goal
4 points for a win by 2 goals
5 points for a win by 5 goals.

This would encourage more attacking play and not allow teams like Chelsea to sit back and defend a 1 goal lead.Also it could make the season last longer for alot of teams.

[OwlsFan]

Sounds good except I'd drop the pts by 1 for each category and have no points for a 0-0 or possibly -1 if you don't score. The emphasis must be put on winning and scoring goals in the process.

[Macy]

how?

i thought this team was set up by the so called utd fans that turned there back on there team !!

so all you will have there is a bunch of whinging manc tw ats sounds like great craic allright


as for the bubble bursting , they need to sort it out now before it goes down the road of europeen football , who wants to watch italian footy no one not even the italians !!

Turning their back on the premiership, the money obsessed players and the numpties that have started going to all grounds since the early 90's.

They've actually made the hard choice, rather than blindly handing over more and more money every season for poor football, in sanitised stadiums, to make a few individuals rich.

Hardly expect a member of the Klan to agree though, probably to busy bumming his Red "brothers" across the park....

[mypost]

Because of the trouble. There's trouble, or attempts to cause trouble at every United v Liverpool game.

Where's the trouble?? There has been no trouble at that game for as long as I can remember. There have been occasional incidents outside grounds and elsewhere, but that's not football's problem, if people want to scrap, they will. 12pm ko's won't stop them.

[sligoman]

Fergie took exception to comments made by presenter Paul Anthony after United's 0-0 Champions League draw with Villarreal last week and has snubbed the station since.

I was at that game and any criticism made towards the team was dead right. United were terrible!

[Macy]

Where's the trouble?? There has been no trouble at that game for as long as I can remember. There have been occasional incidents outside grounds and elsewhere, but that's not football's problem, if people want to scrap, they will. 12pm ko's won't stop them.

If United and Liverpools firms fight nothing to do with the match at all, obviously

There hasn't been much because of the policing, which is helped by early kick offs. No pubs, not where to congregate and less likely to be people being encouraged by dutch courage.

Have you ever been to a United v Liverpool game? Sure as hell haven't been in the city centre's if you think an early kick off can't be justified...

[mypost]

There hasn't been much because of the policing, which is helped by early kick offs. No pubs, not where to congregate and less likely to be people being encouraged by dutch courage.

Have you ever been to a United v Liverpool game? Sure as hell haven't been in the city centre's if you think an early kick off can't be justified.

We'll see how far that policy gets, when 24-hour drinking legislation comes into force in the UK later this year. People will be able to drink whenever they like, so early match ko's will be no deterrent to trouble. Or are you suggesting that hooligans only scrap at certain times of the day??

[anto eile]

Since when?? I can't remember hooliganism inside a English stadium featuring Liverpool. Much worse happens on the continent, but their showcase games never kick-off at 12pm. When was the last time, there was violence inside/outside Anfield or OT, when both sides have met? 18 months ago, the sides met at 3pm on a Saturday. Why was our game moved yesterday?? Because of television, not alcohol.

I hope when the 24-hour drinking regulations come into force in the UK, these ghastly kick-off times will be phased out, as fans will be able to get p'eyed just as much at 9am, as at 9pm.

violence around grounds is rampant in england, sky dont report it as it would damage their product. believe me the hooliganism is nearly as bad as ever