carlyluvsunited
02-11-2007, 10:53 AM
UNITED HIT BACK AT SPORTS MINISTER
Manchester United have hit back at criticism from sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe
about season ticket price rises.
The minister, who also infuriated Chelsea by condemning England captain John
Terry's salary as "obscene", said United risked pricing out ordinary fans by
imposing rises of 13% and making season tickets include European and Carling
Cup games.
United chief executive David Gill said however that Sutcliffe could not be fully
informed of the facts relating to the club's season ticket price rises.
Gill said: "Our average increase was 10.78% and we think the prices between
£25 and £45 are very fair in relation to other clubs such as Chelsea and keeps us in
touch with our grass-roots supporters."
Sutcliffe also incurred the wrath of Chelsea after saying at the FT Sports Summit
conference that Terry was on £150,000 a week - it is thought the figure is closer
to £130,000 - and that Chelsea were "£250million in the red".
The club returned losses of £80million in the last financial year and £140million
the year before, but thanks to owner Roman Abramovich their debts are minimal.
Sutcliffe said: "Good luck to John Terry but I think it is obscene to be on £150,000
a week.
"I understand that a footballer's career is limited in time but people in the street
cannot understand salaries like that.
"Chelsea are £250million in the red and they may be able to cope with that but
it's not the real world. £250million in the red is not sustainable."
Sutcliffe is himself a Manchester United fan, and contrasted the club's prices with
those at Bradford City where season tickets have been cut to £130.
"This year Manchester United increased their season tickets by 13% and said fans
have to automatically buy European and Carling Cup games as well and that
costs an extra £200.
"That's taking the game away from the ordinary grass-roots supporter."
He added: "Ordinary working people who want go and see Manchester United
face being priced out.
"There is a danger that there will be a move away from the game and we don't
want to be in a position where people are alienated."
Sutcliffe said the Government would not interfere with the running of football,
such as by trying to impose salary caps, but said he wanted to act as "a critical
friend".
Chelsea are furious with some of the figures quoted by Sutcliffe and are
understood to have complained to his department they are inaccurate.
A spokesman for Sutcliffe said: "The minister accepts that the figures may not be
100% correct but he stands by his wider point."
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United !!!
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Manchester United have hit back at criticism from sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe
about season ticket price rises.
The minister, who also infuriated Chelsea by condemning England captain John
Terry's salary as "obscene", said United risked pricing out ordinary fans by
imposing rises of 13% and making season tickets include European and Carling
Cup games.
United chief executive David Gill said however that Sutcliffe could not be fully
informed of the facts relating to the club's season ticket price rises.
Gill said: "Our average increase was 10.78% and we think the prices between
£25 and £45 are very fair in relation to other clubs such as Chelsea and keeps us in
touch with our grass-roots supporters."
Sutcliffe also incurred the wrath of Chelsea after saying at the FT Sports Summit
conference that Terry was on £150,000 a week - it is thought the figure is closer
to £130,000 - and that Chelsea were "£250million in the red".
The club returned losses of £80million in the last financial year and £140million
the year before, but thanks to owner Roman Abramovich their debts are minimal.
Sutcliffe said: "Good luck to John Terry but I think it is obscene to be on £150,000
a week.
"I understand that a footballer's career is limited in time but people in the street
cannot understand salaries like that.
"Chelsea are £250million in the red and they may be able to cope with that but
it's not the real world. £250million in the red is not sustainable."
Sutcliffe is himself a Manchester United fan, and contrasted the club's prices with
those at Bradford City where season tickets have been cut to £130.
"This year Manchester United increased their season tickets by 13% and said fans
have to automatically buy European and Carling Cup games as well and that
costs an extra £200.
"That's taking the game away from the ordinary grass-roots supporter."
He added: "Ordinary working people who want go and see Manchester United
face being priced out.
"There is a danger that there will be a move away from the game and we don't
want to be in a position where people are alienated."
Sutcliffe said the Government would not interfere with the running of football,
such as by trying to impose salary caps, but said he wanted to act as "a critical
friend".
Chelsea are furious with some of the figures quoted by Sutcliffe and are
understood to have complained to his department they are inaccurate.
A spokesman for Sutcliffe said: "The minister accepts that the figures may not be
100% correct but he stands by his wider point."
Click here to join manutdtalk.com and read all breaking news on all things
United !!!
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php