United Loyal to Fans Over Cobblers Ticket Charade
Best in the Land...
By Chris O'Brien
January 15 2004
Manchester United have shown loyalty to supporters following Northampton Town doubling their ticket prices for the F.A Cup clash against the Red Devils. The club will pay £10 towards every ticket sold to the 1,200 travelling United supporters heading to the Sixfields in a move backed by IMUSA.
| United Loyal to Fans Over Cobblers Ticket Charade |
| In a cracking gesture from the club,
Manchester United have will knock £10 off every ticket sold for travelling
supporters heading to the Sixfields for the fourth round Cup tie against
Northampton Town. The gesture from United is due to Northampton doubling their ticket prices for the Cup tie. Obviously the game will be a sell-out, with local fans who don't bother to watch Town in their Third Division matches becoming fans for one day only, so the Cobblers will get a huge cash boost from the game as they look to turn their season around and propel themselves into the play-off zone. We have been allocated 1,200 tickets for the trip, so the gesture will cost United £12,000. The deal was agreed following a meeting with influential fans group the Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association. "This discount is seen as the right way to respond to fans' concerns about the Northampton game," said United director of communications Paddy Harverson. The reductions mean travelling United fans will pay only £15 or £20 for tickets, which is a cost similar to that for admittance to Old Trafford. "Whilst we recognise the needs of lower league clubs to generate revenue where they can, there is also a responsibility to ensure supporters are not being ripped off," added IMUSA spokesman Mark Longden. With the increased ticket prices and television revenue for the game, Northampton Town can expect to make up to £700,000 for their dream Cup tie against United. |