Game Thirty Nine - One Too Many

Posted by Logan Holmes Feb 10, 2008

Some football fans travel to every game to support their team – be it Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur or Newcastle United. Whatever the weather, whatever day or kick-off time, no matter the cost those supporters will be there.

Work, family and holiday arrangements are fitted around their beloved team.

Rosie's Story

Rosie is a Spurs’ supporter. At considerable cost he travels the world to watch Spurs. He has been at every Premier League and Cup game over the past number of seasons, he supports the club in Europe, attends all pre-season friendly games and overseas tours, having been to South Korea and South Africa in recent seasons and any friendly or testimonial match can be assured of Rosie’s presence. He even finds time, around his work, to attend reserve, youth games and other football matches. Dedicated to the very last, whatever the result, it is guaranteed that Rosie will be at the very next game.

Rosie enjoys the camaraderie and friendship of other travelling supporters but now the Premier League are proposing to play an additional game in some far away part of the world for the benefit of overseas supporters but ignoring the claims of supporters who attend matches every week. The cost of travelling to China, Los Angeles or wherever hosts the extra game would be prohibitive to all but a few dedicated supporters.

The Premier League would appear to once again be putting their desire for money ahead of the ordinary supporter.

Prohibitive Costs

Admission charges and associated costs are already extremely high for supporters attending matches regularly. Loyal supporters with family and work responsibilities simply can not afford to take off on a world trip to follow their team in one more match - hence the opposition from supporters around the country to the Premier League’s proposals.