Man United fans could desert the club after ‘phenomenal’ development – Wyness
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has insisted fans of clubs like Man United could be driven away by a “phenomenal” uptick in matchday costs.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed football is at a “tipping point” which could see supporters turn to local clubs to get their fix.
Man United raked in £136million in matchday income for the 2022-23 campaign, up 23% from the previous season.
The average season ticket cost at Old Trafford is £754.50, the 14th-highest in the Premier League – with Fulham’s £1,272.50 average ticket the most expensive in the top flight.
Man United fans could be driven away by ‘phenomenal’ ticket costs, says Wyness
Supporters of Man United have already been informed that the cost of a season ticket will rise by 5% for the 2024-25 campaign.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s definitely becoming too expensive, and it’s frightening.
“Part of the Premier League’s charm is the crowd’s atmosphere, and certainly having away fans at the games are a huge part of that.
“Away fans do it week-in, week-out with the rail and road system – they have my full respect because the cost is phenomenal.
“I sat on a plane the other day, and someone told me it was now cheaper to fly and watch Real Mallorca than to follow Man United home and away.
“A lot of fans will start to look at local clubs, it’s getting to that level.
“Everyone has had cost of living issues at home. Those things come to a head and people decide that football is getting to be too much of a percentage in the household budget.
“Football is at that tipping point.”
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