FA steps in over Shrewsbury v Southampton ticket prices
Thursday 28th October 2010, 3:19PM BST.
FA BOSSES today stepped in to resolve a disagreement which broke out over ticket prices for Shrewsbury Town’s FA Cup first round tie at League One side Southampton.
It comes after Shrewsbury Town challenged Southampton’s decision to sell tickets for the cup tie for a cut-price £10.
League Two side Town wanted tickets to be sold at full price for the game at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium – a move which Southampton claimed on its website was an attempt by Town to “cash in” on the game.
And now the Football Association has stepped in to settle the matter ahead of the game on November 6 and set prices at £15 for adults.
Martin James, community development manager for Shrewsbury Town, said: “We think what’s written and the way it was written on Southampton’s website about another football club is quite unacceptable.
“We’re entitled to challenge any pricing policy as we have in the past. We’ve accepted the tribunal’s decision of the FA but it’s really unfortunate that they’ve written what they have.”
Tickets for the clash were due to go on sale today for seats in the Northam and the Itchen stands priced at £15 for adults, £10 for young adults and OAPs and £5 for children.
The disagreement over the tickets broke out after the draw and a statement posted on Southampton’s club website today said: “Saints are pleased to be able to unveil ticket prices for the FA Cup tie at St Mary’s against Shrewsbury Town on November 6.
“Bearing in mind the opposition, and the number of other significant home matches during November, the club had wished to push through discounted rates for this match, in order to reward our most loyal fans.
“As no compromise was able to be reached the matter was handed to the FA. We are extremely grateful to the FA for agreeing that the club’s initial pricing structure represents a fair option for both Saints and Shrews fans.”
Shrewsbury Town were drawn against Southampton on Sunday, to hand the Shropshire club one of the most glamorous ties of the round.
The Football Association was unavailable to comment on the issue.
By Emma Kasprzak
UK Sport
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Cashing in is exactly what they were trying to do although how they could’ve cashed in on a less than half empty stadium I do not know?
Lower prices means more people through the gates, better atmposphere and a better game of football. It’s not all about the money is it? Well sadly it probably is these days.
Getting to Southampton isn’t exactly cheap for Salop fans either is it? Thanks a lot STFC you greedy gits, you’ve made this fan feel as worthwhile as an abandoned radish.
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Well you can understand where Southampton are coming from on this. Shrewsbury are a small club so in essence prices ahould be reduced as the quality of football will be lower than what Southampton are used to.
Then Shrewsbury want prices to be full price thus meaning they get a big pay day at the expense of Southampton.
No thoughts for your own supporters is there Shrewsbury? It’s hardly going to assist the overall cost for them to have a nice day out.
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On the other hand Southampton are happy to cash in by charging visiting teams supporters £25-£27 for a 3rd division game and pocket all the money because the gate receipts from league games are not shared.
They are hypocrites.
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The comments on the Southampton website were pathetic and unnecessary. We are perfectly within our rights to ask for full price tickets to maximise our earning potential. Had we dropped our prices against Staines Town last year in the first round, their club would have been deprived much need income. Not only did Staines get their fare share, but we even went as far as to let them win.
I sincerely hope (if we lose of course) that Southampton draw Man United in the 3rd and they drop their prices to £10. Then we’ll see who complains!
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Hey Jeff, go pick on another vegetable.
Don’t go measuring your dented self-worth against an unloved radish. We have fought long and hard to ensure all radishes are cared for and find loving, nurturing homes, so lay off.
No one likes turnips how about picking on them?
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if tickets were full price gate would be 4000 tops. £10 each 16,000 to 18,000.
wake up Shrewsbury
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very unlikely that saints fans or a club with an estimated worth of 2.5 billion will be worrying too much about paying £10 to watch Man Ure! If it was Man City, the biggest club in Manchester then we might be upset! lets see how many fans you bring to st marys
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Comment from Matt
If we get Man Utd we probably will keep the prices the same but if we did put them up its because its in the next round.
Also we are well within our rights to change the ticket prices and clearly the FA agree. So stop moaning and get on with it!
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I don’t understand what Shrewsbury Town are doing in challenging the reduced rates at St.Mary’s for the cup game on Saturday week.
There may be more Saints fans if the tickets are cheaper but wouldn’t that spur some Town players on and give them some extra inspiration. Also, it’s going to be expensive enough for Town fans to get to Southampton so the cheaper the tickets are the better.
I think Southampton were spot on with their use of the phrase “Cashing in…”
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Disgraceful response by Shrewsbury which typifies all that is wrong with today’s modern day football.
Not a care for their supporters whom still have to pay to get down to Southampton as well as pay for their tickets.
I am a season ticket holder at Liverpool and have sacked my renewal this season to protest against our former owners and costs in today’s game and generally support lower league games but after this will forfeit Shrewsbury for another visit to Telford.
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I can’t believe Saints are being criticised for wanting to offer the football fan a better deal?!!
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Cant belive fans are complaing that they can get in cheaper!! Have seen it all now! Well done Southampton FC I say!
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Town were completely within their rights to challenge this. Saints did it to benefit their fans, not Town’s. Also bigger crowd etc gives them more chance to sell progs, catering which isn’t shared between the clubs, and also a bigger home crowd imprvoes their chances of winning, getting a big payout in 3rd round. Sainst aren’t doing this to be altruistic you know!
As others have said, if they draw Man U away and Man U want to reduce ticket prices, Saints will be the first to complain you can guarantee. Hypocrites!
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I think people are missing the point. No one is criticising Southampton for lowering the price, I’m all for it and pleased as I’m going myself.
However, what is out of order is the way they criticised Shrewsbury Town FC in a petty comment on their official website. As discussed Shrewsbury are perfectly entitled to protect their financial interest and Southampton should respect that.
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Simples those that want to pay the “full” price can give the difference if they so choose.
i wonder just how many actually would.
Well done the saints.
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Wow, What the hell is wrong with the Shrews?
Lets get this right,
Saints drop prices
Bigger crowd
Probably more money
All fans happy
Shrewsbury… have ya gone mad?!!!
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I wonder if Shrewsbury Town’s manager and co. care much about many of their own fans’ financial situation? I mean especially in the current financial crisis? They (along with all other clubs) ought to be damn grateful the fans make the not inconsiderable outlay and effort to attend matches – especially away ones! I mean it’s simple really, put the fans off going to games by charging too much and they’ll do something else with their hard earned money, and possibly and ultimately be lost to the football scene for good! No paying fans = no club! What’s difficult to understand about that? The difference between 15 quid and 10, can matter a lot to many peoples’ pocket. And what about the future fan base? Many people are put off taking their kids, (who ought, by the way, be perceived as potential life-long fans and more importantly life-long ATTENDING supporters!) because some of the ticket prices. Greed! That’s what it is, and yes, I know my own team, Saints, have been, and still are, guilty of it too at times! You know what they say, “Money is the root of…”! Anyway, lets hope it’s a good, clean and open game on the day, with no scratching, gouging and biting! ;-)
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Shropshire Saint is spot on. What the dickens are STFC trying to achieve apart from being greedy?
Surely they should reward their loyal travelling fans by charging the original £10 for adults? After all, the fans are struggling financially at the moment too.
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the sole culprits here are soton fc for going public on their website about what should have been a private matter. no wonder “uncle” graham turner is furious. he has been made to look the villain of the piece by soton’s website. town are a well run side and the wheelings and dealings of ticket prices should be strictly between clubs.
so after the little matter of crewe away we march on to st marys and put soton out of the cup and allow them to fight their own relegation battle.
come on you shrews, get behind uncle graham, as just now he needs all our support.
floreat salopia and change that ruddy badge roland!! please
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Saint Vincent you are a complete idiot.
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I’ll be watching the Welsh derby on BBC1 for free on Sunday….much better entertainment in the warmth of my home.
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what a shame this is taking away from what is the tie of the round. shrewsbury are really playing attractive football and this is not going to be an easy ride for Southampton.
Ive paid my £15 to come down would have been nice to pay less but guess would have paid more too to see the Shrews win…… maybe!!
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