Source: Daily_Mail
Fans hit in pocket as United to become only club to raise season ticket prices
Manchester United have confirmed they will increase season ticket prices by £1 a game next season. [LNB]While many clubs have reduced prices to attract more cash-strapped fans at a time of a global economic crisis, United once again feel confident about bucking the trend because they are still turning away an average of almost 5,500 fans per game. [LNB]Fans' groups are not too impressed with the rises, which take the cost of a ticket to a top-price £49. The cheapest ticket at Old Trafford will be £27. [LNB]Sportsmail understands that the European and domestic champions will be the only Premier League club to increase their season ticket prices next season - although Aston Villa have slightly raised the price of the cheapest seat at Villa Park.[LNB][LNB][LNB] Inflated: Fans will have to dig even deeper to watch the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo[LNB]However, United feel the continued clamour to watch Sir Alex Ferguson's men - average Premier League attendances this season are 75,299 - is justified. [LNB]'We are still turning away over 5,000 people per game on average and we believe it represents good value for money,' said a United spokesman. [LNB]Earlier this month, the Glazer family revealed debts of £650million. [LNB]Since then the OFT have refused to ask United to scrap their automatic cup scheme, meaning fans who do decide to purchase a season ticket - which will be reduced in number - are again committed to purchasing tickets for all cup games, apart from the Carling Cup. [LNB]CLUB-BY-CLUB GUIDE TO SEASON TICKET PRICE CHANGESCLUB[LNB]ARSENAL[LNB]LIVERPOOL[LNB]CHELSEA[LNB]TOTTENHAM[LNB]WEST HAM[LNB]MAN UTD[LNB]PORTSMOUTH[LNB]EVERTON[LNB]MAN CITY[LNB]HULL[LNB]MIDDLESBROUGH[LNB]SUNDERLAND[LNB]STOKE[LNB]NEWCASTLE[LNB]WEST BROM[LNB]BOLTON[LNB]ASTON VILLA[LNB]FULHAM[LNB]WIGAN[LNB]BLACKBURN[LNB]2008/09[LNB]£855 - £1,825[LNB]£650 - £750[LNB]£660 - £1,150[LNB]£635 - £1,675[LNB]£615 - £885[LNB]£494 - £912[LNB]£600 - £925[LNB]£503 - £603[LNB]£388 - £626[LNB]£380 - £450[LNB]£390 - £550[LNB]£415 - £525[LNB]£334 - £499[LNB]£330 - £658[LNB]£299 - £399[LNB]£299 - £449[LNB]£265 - £510[LNB]£299 - £779[LNB]£250 - £295[LNB]£249 - £439[LNB]2009/10[LNB]£855 - £1,825[LNB]Prices TBC [LNB]£635 - £1,125 [LNB]£622 - £1,640 [LNB]£570 - £810 [LNB]£513 - £931 [LNB]£500 - £900 [LNB]£399 - £586 [LNB]Prices TBC [LNB]£380 - £450 [LNB]£370 - £525 [LNB]£350 - £465 [LNB]Prices TBC [LNB]£300 - £598 [LNB]£299 - £399 [LNB]Prices TBC [LNB]£295 - £510 [LNB]£285 - £799 [LNB]£250 - £295 [LNB]Prices TBC[LNB] NOTE: Prices are for a single adult season ticket. Table order is based on the cheapest ticket for next season, or the lowest price for this season if the club is yet to announce 2009-10 costs. [LNB]In addition, the decision of the Treasury to refuse to acknowledgetickets purchased last year should be reduced because of the mid-seasoncut in VAT has effectively meant supporters have felt no benefit, otherthan with their cup purchases. [LNB]United claim they are'highly unlikely' to add the additional 59 pence to a £27 ticket whenVAT returns to its previous 17.5 per cent level on December 31,although supporters' groups remain unimpressed. [LNB]'It hasbeen said in the past that the owners of the club will squeeze Unitedsupporters until the pips squeak and this is clearly the case,' saidSean Bones, vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters Trust. [LNB] United stance: Fans celebrate as Manchester United winning the title last season outside Old Trafford[LNB]'Earlier in the year, the government gave a 2.5 per cent reduction on the price of VAT on tickets. [LNB]'The Glazers have absorbed this benefit and added more increases on top.' [LNB] Realistic Rafa admits United have one hand on title after Anfield thrillerIt's not over: We can still win the league, insists Liverpool skipper GerrardScholes has his moment in the spotlight - it's 600 up for the red-top talismanTottenham boss Redknapp considering crazy quest to bring Beckham to Spurs - reportVillarreal lighten gloom with free season tickets for the unemployedMANCHESTER UNITED FC
