During the recent international break, those stepping outside the Derby County bubble might have caught wind of a stirring Stoke City story that reverberated at Pride Park.
“Screaming headlines blast Sheffield United for exorbitant charges,” declared a piece on StokeonTrentLive, capturing the frustration and dissatisfaction surrounding their steep away ticket prices.
For the pleasure of witnessing Narcis Pelach’s squad at Bramall Lane, Potters supporters face a hefty £38 per adult charge, a plight that strikes a chord with Derby fans who shared a similar outrage when facing their own pricey trip to South Yorkshire. Social media platforms buzzed with criticism over the escalating costs.
Despite Derby’s strong away support—currently ranking fifth in average away attendance—their ticket allocation quickly sold out, revealing a sense of exploitation felt by loyal followers. “Derby fans had every reason to be irked,” noted Rams writer Leigh Curtis. “The ticket prices were simply too high for a second-division match.”
The £30 senior prices and family packages adding up to £110 further fueled the discontent. Curtis called for a cap on prices, drawing attention to the fairer approach adopted by the Premier League in limiting ticket costs for away fans. He emphasized the need to preserve football’s essence as a family-friendly sport to prevent fans from being priced out. Loyalty should not be exploited, he concluded, as supporters continue to foot the bill out of love for their clubs.
Sheffield United’s ticket prices have drawn ire from Derby fans again, echoing past discontent over a £37 adult ticket in 2021. Coventry and QPR also hit visitors with close to £40 fees this season, prompting questions about fair pricing. The Football Supporters Association seeks a cap akin to the Premier League’s £30 limit for away fans. Successful lobbying led Leeds and Huddersfield to agree on £20 away tickets, averting potential £47 charges. With fan support evident—88.2% in favor of EFL-wide caps—advocates push for change, hailing past campaigns like “Twenty is Plenty” as influential.
John Whitebrook, a Derby fan and RamsTrust member, expressed concerns about clubs overcharging away fans compared to home fans and called for equal pricing in equivalent sections. He suggested that away tickets should be cheaper in areas with restricted views to ensure consistency in concession pricing across the league.
Another Derby supporter, John Atkin, proposed that the EFL should cap away ticket prices similar to the Premier League’s limit of £30. He urged clubs to justify their pricing based on factors like policing costs for away fans. Angie Kerry, another Derby fan, lamented the lack of value for money in Championship away ticket prices, citing poor facilities and views at various grounds.
The issue at hand is the exploitation of fans’ loyalty by some clubs who take them for granted, charging exorbitant prices despite subpar conditions. This unfair treatment highlights the imbalance between the love and dedication of fans and the costs imposed on them.
