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. 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. 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. 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. Inflated: Fans will have to dig even deeper to watch the likes of Cristiano RonaldoHowever, United feel the continued clamour to watch Sir Alex Ferguson's men - average Premier League attendances this season are 75,299 - is justified. '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. Earlier this month, the Glazer family revealed debts of £650million. 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. CLUB-BY-CLUB GUIDE TO SEASON TICKET PRICE CHANGESCLUBARSENALLIVERPOOLCHELSEATOTTENHAMWEST HAMMAN UTDPORTSMOUTHEVERTONMAN CITYHULLMIDDLESBROUGHSUNDERLANDSTOKENEWCASTLEWEST BROMBOLTONASTON VILLAFULHAMWIGANBLACKBURN2008/09£855 - £1,825£650 - £750£660 - £1,150£635 - £1,675£615 - £885£494 - £912£600 - £925£503 - £603£388 - £626£380 - £450£390 - £550£415 - £525£334 - £499£330 - £658£299 - £399£299 - £449£265 - £510£299 - £779£250 - £295£249 - £4392009/10£855 - £1,825Prices TBC £635 - £1,125 £622 - £1,640 £570 - £810 £513 - £931 £500 - £900 £399 - £586 Prices TBC £380 - £450 £370 - £525 £350 - £465 Prices TBC £300 - £598 £299 - £399 Prices TBC £295 - £510 £285 - £799 £250 - £295 Prices TBC 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. 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. 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. '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. United stance: Fans celebrate as Manchester United winning the title last season outside Old Trafford'Earlier in the year, the government gave a 2.5 per cent reduction on the price of VAT on tickets. 'The Glazers have absorbed this benefit and added more increases on top.' 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