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Depressing stuff at United on 07:09 - Sep 15 by You_Bloo_Right
A season tickiet used to also get you a complimentary program ..... but that was some time ago (and maybe restrcited to certain stands? Too long ago to remember really).
A season ticket back in the day got you into Cup games as well.
Ade Akinbiyi couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo...
Depressing stuff at United on 08:01 - Sep 15 by bsw72
If people are daft enough to part with their money just to stand on the pitch or shake a hand then so be it, doesn’t affect me in any way.
Football is a business, if we want Town to be competitive and play in the top flight we will have to accept we need the income, else we need to be satisfied playing in the lower leagues. 99% of fans got excited about promotion and then the transfers, how do supporters think we will be funding this?
The real driver is broadcast economics, and Americanisation is a downstream symptom of that, not the cause. F1 is an example.
once you have global TV audiences, the value of a match or a race shifts from ticket revenue to attention itself. Sky's original Premier League deal in 1992 didn't just inject cash, it fundamentally changed what a football club is *for*; from a local institution to a content product competing for eyeballs against everything else on a screen. Every subsequent change in the English game, traces back to that same logic playing out further.
First, season structure gets reshaped around broadcast slots, not fixture congestion or player welfare; Monday night football, staggered Saturday kickoffs, the expanded Champions League group stage all exist to fill more broadcast windows, not because fans asked for them.
Second, storytelling becomes part of the product, not a side effect of it, this is where F1 is the glimpse into the future of football. Liberty Media bought F1 in 2017 explicitly to run it as a media business rather than a motorsport one, and Drive to Survive is the purest expression of that: manufactured rivalries and narrative arcs sold to Netflix's audience, which then pulled in fans who'd never watch a full race weekend but will watch a nine-part drama about one. You now have the Wrexham story, plus the All or Nothing series etc for football.
Third, the club or team stops being the primary revenue unit and becomes a distribution node for a league-wide media product, that's why the Premier League fights so hard to keep collective selling of TV rights rather than letting clubs sell individually, and why F1 controls the broadcast package centrally rather than leaving it to teams.
Where Americanisation comes in is ownership style and matchday presentation copying US sports (city pitch invasions, franchise-style branding, closed-shop talk around Super Leagues) but that's clubs adapting to a media logic that already existed, not the cause of it. The Glazers and Fenway didn't invent the idea of football as content; they bought in because the broadcast money had already made that the game's economic reality.
Take away the US owners entirely and the same pressures remain, because they come from what rights-holders are willing to pay for attention, not from who's sitting in the boardroom.
For me, despite my somewhat facetious comment about STs and programmes earlier, that is the perfect analysis of how football has got here. Is it good or bad? Whatever, it just is.
So as Benters has implied, if you want to hark back to a possibly never existant Corinthian age of football then grass roots is probably your best bet (though even there costs seem to be such these days that club survival can also be - perhaps always was - precarious).
Depressing stuff at United on 00:06 - Sep 15 by urbanpenguin
Everton may be doing this to bulk up the playing squad, they're a bit short...
Do it next year for league games after they are relegated and in the second tier and they will have someone on the Southampton staff paying for that package...
Depressing stuff at United on 08:03 - Sep 15 by Gary_Knows
Cheers buh. I’ll probably sort over Xmas when he moves up to the next age range membership.
Stupid question - I’ve already got an account set up for him, so presume would need to do the membership and waiting list all through that? Rather than my account?
Yeah just do it through his account although you can buy it through yours, just have to assign the membership to him, that’s what I done.
Depressing stuff at United on 22:56 - Sep 14 by benrhyddingblue
It was £200 to be a mascot 9 years ago, which accounting for inflation is about £275 today - so that’s hardly something to be calling out the club on. I know because I paid it for both my sons - one of the best days they ever had at Portman Road until the last few years. And they were the only two mascots that day (2 nil win over Brentford). It’s great to see so many now on a match day; these people are the future, whatever that may be.
Mascot packages were £170 as recently as 2022/23 - and as others have noted that included more tickets etc than the current offer too
Obviously we were League One then, and poles apart from there now, but no denying the price has increased rapidly and hardly great that lots of people will be getting priced out if that continues
Someone else in this thread as mentioned wanting the Encisos and Palacioses which is laughable given the increases here will make a few extra thousands at most
Highlighting crass stupidity since sometime around 2010
Depressing stuff at United on 22:38 - Sep 14 by jasondozzell
Yep. I'm afraid I am worried that it's inevitable.
It's why I watched the Mark Steed interview with really mixed feelings earlier.
It was always a deal with the devil. We had to take it and it's saved the club but....
I don't think we are a million miles away from season tickets being non existent, dynamic ticket prices, no concessions etc.
At the same time, what is the alternative? We are sat in the depths of league one with a non-interested owner and outdated football model. Definitely seems like a case of if you can't beat them, join them.
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Depressing stuff at United on 12:44 - Sep 15 with 441 views
Depressing stuff at United on 07:54 - Sep 15 by Bluemike31
One of our biggest failings as a Football club is all too many of our fans live in the past, they struggle to move forward with the rest of the world.
if you want the Palacios's and Enciso's of this world you have to pay for it somehow, otherwise it would still be Gwion Edwards etc etc.
That's one of the biggest fallacies in modern football - it is not incumbent upon the fans to provide the money for new signings.
A £50 increase on each season ticket would raise a grand total of £1m for the club - that's a drop in the ocean in terms of the broader revenue picture.
Not a prophet, or a stone-age man; just a mortal with potential of a superman.
Depressing stuff at United on 22:56 - Sep 14 by benrhyddingblue
It was £200 to be a mascot 9 years ago, which accounting for inflation is about £275 today - so that’s hardly something to be calling out the club on. I know because I paid it for both my sons - one of the best days they ever had at Portman Road until the last few years. And they were the only two mascots that day (2 nil win over Brentford). It’s great to see so many now on a match day; these people are the future, whatever that may be.
Times change....
I was the mascot for the 4-0 home win over Norwich City, on Easter Monday 1978 [a few weeks before we won the FA cup!].
My name was drawn out of a hat - one of the privileges of being a 'Junior Blue'. I was the only mascot on the day, I met the players, led the team out and got to take a penalty against Paul Cooper in the Churchmans goal as part of the warm up. I kept the kit that I was given on the day. I still have it.
All that for the price of a membership - I can't remember how much that was but even allowing for 48 years inflation it wasn't the equivalent of £275!
Even now it's a wonderful memory - one of the few times my mum came to a game. I hope your boys look back on their big day with similar fondness when they are older.
It's a shame that nowadays these experiences come at such a premium price - I am sure the thrill is just as great now, but the unexpected arrival and opening the letter still makes me smile. A money can't buy experience!
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Depressing stuff at United on 13:23 - Sep 15 with 375 views
Depressing stuff at United on 12:54 - Sep 15 by NBVJohn
Times change....
I was the mascot for the 4-0 home win over Norwich City, on Easter Monday 1978 [a few weeks before we won the FA cup!].
My name was drawn out of a hat - one of the privileges of being a 'Junior Blue'. I was the only mascot on the day, I met the players, led the team out and got to take a penalty against Paul Cooper in the Churchmans goal as part of the warm up. I kept the kit that I was given on the day. I still have it.
All that for the price of a membership - I can't remember how much that was but even allowing for 48 years inflation it wasn't the equivalent of £275!
Even now it's a wonderful memory - one of the few times my mum came to a game. I hope your boys look back on their big day with similar fondness when they are older.
It's a shame that nowadays these experiences come at such a premium price - I am sure the thrill is just as great now, but the unexpected arrival and opening the letter still makes me smile. A money can't buy experience!
"and got to take a penalty against Paul Cooper in the Churchmans goal as part of the warm up."
If my memory serves me right, you didn't strike the penalty too hard but relied on placement, sending Cooper the wrong way (his right) and scoring. Right?
FREE PALASTINE FROM ZIONIST BOMBS. FREE LEBANON FROM ZIONIST BOMBS. FREE IRAN FROM ZIONIST BOMBS.
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Depressing stuff at United on 13:26 - Sep 15 with 365 views
Depressing stuff at United on 13:23 - Sep 15 by Cafe_Newman
"and got to take a penalty against Paul Cooper in the Churchmans goal as part of the warm up."
If my memory serves me right, you didn't strike the penalty too hard but relied on placement, sending Cooper the wrong way (his right) and scoring. Right?
Side netting wasn't it?
Coops knew he'd got it wrong the moment it left NBV's boot.
Depressing stuff at United on 13:26 - Sep 15 by You_Bloo_Right
Side netting wasn't it?
Coops knew he'd got it wrong the moment it left NBV's boot.
Side netting? Possibly but I'm not sure he placed it THAT well - he didn't need to, he did him with his eyes, and like you said, Coops was left floundering as soon at the ball was struck.
FREE PALASTINE FROM ZIONIST BOMBS. FREE LEBANON FROM ZIONIST BOMBS. FREE IRAN FROM ZIONIST BOMBS.
1
Depressing stuff at United on 13:45 - Sep 15 with 337 views
Depressing stuff at United on 12:44 - Sep 15 by Zx1988
That's one of the biggest fallacies in modern football - it is not incumbent upon the fans to provide the money for new signings.
A £50 increase on each season ticket would raise a grand total of £1m for the club - that's a drop in the ocean in terms of the broader revenue picture.
But in terms of FFP (or whatever it is now) that million pound may well allow the club to meet such restrictions that imply after spending so much on players.
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Depressing stuff at United on 13:50 - Sep 15 with 329 views
I would never go to a players testimonial as I always felt even when players were on £1,000 a week why should I, when believe it or not I struggled bringing up kids, having a mortgage and having a week in a caravan at Yarmouth. Football has gone mad. Prices for players and their wages. The mere fact that even if you can't get to a game in order to watch every game of your team you need to subscribe to three, maybe four different platforms. I do agree that it will be nice if you get to a game having a wider choice of food and drink. But I do not want some has been pop star cavorting on a stage in the middle of the pitch lip syncing thank very much and paying extra for the privilege.
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Depressing stuff at United on 13:55 - Sep 15 with 315 views
Depressing stuff at United on 13:23 - Sep 15 by Cafe_Newman
"and got to take a penalty against Paul Cooper in the Churchmans goal as part of the warm up."
If my memory serves me right, you didn't strike the penalty too hard but relied on placement, sending Cooper the wrong way (his right) and scoring. Right?
Bottom left hand corner - Cooper was rooted to the spot.
I succeeded where so many failed.....
My father, who was watching from the entrance to the tunnel, told me some years later that he couldn't watch in case I fell over and / or sh@t myself on my run up.
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Depressing stuff at United on 14:00 - Sep 15 with 307 views
Depressing stuff at United on 13:55 - Sep 15 by NBVJohn
Bottom left hand corner - Cooper was rooted to the spot.
I succeeded where so many failed.....
My father, who was watching from the entrance to the tunnel, told me some years later that he couldn't watch in case I fell over and / or sh@t myself on my run up.
Superb. Love stories like that, thanks.
Do you remember the applause?
How old were you at the time?
FREE PALASTINE FROM ZIONIST BOMBS. FREE LEBANON FROM ZIONIST BOMBS. FREE IRAN FROM ZIONIST BOMBS.
0
Depressing stuff at United on 14:31 - Sep 15 with 280 views
Depressing stuff at United on 13:45 - Sep 15 by MattinLondon
But in terms of FFP (or whatever it is now) that million pound may well allow the club to meet such restrictions that imply after spending so much on players.
Exactly, this is everything that is wrong with the modern game, your average fan thinks a Million is nothing.
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Depressing stuff at United on 14:47 - Sep 15 with 259 views
£35k and they throw in a night with a WAG of your choice? Maybe I shouldn’t give them ideas!
It’s gross. I don’t know what’s more depressing; trying to cash in like this or (presumably?) people actually buying these packages. Maybe it’s different in these parts, but we bump into footballers all the time around here. I had a chat with Matt Grimes in the COOP a couple of years ago. And I’ve bumped into several more over the years. The players over here aren’t held up on a pedestal and only treated as commodities. I’d have thought we’re similar aren’t we with players being part of the community? It certainly used to be that way, but I moved away a long time ago. I can’t imagine our lot ignoring fans because they’ve not paid enough money.
They have done a very good job, they are slick and well advised. They haven't really put a foot wrong and they are clever. It's been brilliant.
But it was absolutely a Faustian pact that we made.
We had to do it. And it's exciting. And the club is reborn. We're able to compete at the top again.
But the owners arent here for anything other than money. And that means business 'optimisation'. And stopping season tickets, pushing the commercial over football etc, may well be the reckoning we face.
And I sort of slightly resentful of the 'running towards adversity' tag as if the club had no heart or principles before. It all feels very NFL. Which is fine. But this isn't America.
I recognise a lot will disagree with me. And I was extremely excited when greyhound confirmed the takeover on here and I remain hugely excited. But I think there's room for a different take other than just 'it's all brilliant'.
It's actually pretty dispiriting that you can't take a promoted squad up and compete anymore. That's not good for the game.
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Depressing stuff at United on 18:27 - Sep 15 with 136 views
Depressing stuff at United on 17:36 - Sep 15 by jasondozzell
They have done a very good job, they are slick and well advised. They haven't really put a foot wrong and they are clever. It's been brilliant.
But it was absolutely a Faustian pact that we made.
We had to do it. And it's exciting. And the club is reborn. We're able to compete at the top again.
But the owners arent here for anything other than money. And that means business 'optimisation'. And stopping season tickets, pushing the commercial over football etc, may well be the reckoning we face.
And I sort of slightly resentful of the 'running towards adversity' tag as if the club had no heart or principles before. It all feels very NFL. Which is fine. But this isn't America.
I recognise a lot will disagree with me. And I was extremely excited when greyhound confirmed the takeover on here and I remain hugely excited. But I think there's room for a different take other than just 'it's all brilliant'.
It's actually pretty dispiriting that you can't take a promoted squad up and compete anymore. That's not good for the game.
We are where we are though JD.
I do get where you're coming from but our team now plays in the most hyped league in the world that, over a collective of all the teams rather than a handful as elsewhere, attracts players of the highest calibre. That costs money that broadcasters are increasingly willing to provide and clubs otherwise have to fund. Sky started the "football as commodity" business and it was always bound to follow that logical path. Fans being priced out and clubs taking other, less familiar, steps to otherwise maximise their income is just the logical result of what started 34 years ago.
Whilst there are an apparently increasing number of club owners who are the epitome of Wilde's cynic, knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing, I think it's arguable that such was ALWAYS the case. With the advent of the professional game as agreed by the FA in 1885 and the increasing shift away from community to company ownership of clubs that followed, the focus surely too began to move from playing the game for its own sake to playing to win (for a profit) at any cost.
So maybe, just maybe, the FA made the Faustian pact all those years ago (had they not done so, however, football may well have remained the preserve of those people who could afford the time off work to play - thereby potentially excluding some of the greatest players that this country has produced who I have seen playing the game from the 60's onwards).
As others have said, I don't think you can point the finger at the new owners. Sky and subsequent broadcasters, yes. If a true Corinthian then the FA perhaps. If our club was to survive and then compete at the highest level in the modern footballing world we needed the takeover, it really is that simple. Each will have their own benchmark but when/if the price to be paid for that (whether directly in the wallet or as a result of structural changes to the game or whatever) becomes too much then I guess, with a heavy heart, people will quit. Then again, a new generation will grow up (are growing up) having only ever known football as it is now.
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