“I know it hurts but…..”: Daniel Levy finally breaks silence amid season ticket price increase as he highlights the reasons behind such decision [Full story link in comment]
Paul Robinson understands that Tottenham supporters will be “hurt” by an increase in season-ticket prices but thinks the decision has been taken due to the success of the team on the pitch.
It was announced on Wednesday 6 March (official website) that season ticket prices at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are to increase by six per cent in a move that has been widely criticised.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust said it was “hugely disappointed” by the decision the club has taken, which will see the cheapest ticket priced at £856 up from £807 (BBC Sport, 7 March).
Former Spurs goalkeeper Robinson understands the frustration from the hike but did say the difference between Tottenham and some other clubs in the league is the added matchday experience brought by their prestigious stadium.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Robinson said: “I think a lot of clubs’ season tickets do go up but I think it’s on the back of Tottenham being announced as the richest club in London.
“The business side of things has never been in question, the way that Daniel’s run the club over the years has been fantastic.
“I think that will hurt the supporters season ticket prices going up, especially by six per cent – you look at the price of a ticket already and a six per cent increase it’s a hit.
“But what happens when a team is successful? They become more expensive to watch. The business side at Tottenham and the product they offer is like no other, so there is an argument for both.
“You look at a fan experience for Tottenham, yes it’s expensive to watch, their experience is a lot more expensive than other clubs around the country but actually the matchday experience that’s offered at Tottenham is a lot different to let’s say, with no disrespect to any clubs, the clubs at the bottom.
“You look at the Burnleys, the Sheffield Uniteds, I mean even the older stadiums like Goodison Park, the matchday experience you’re offered at Tottenham is completely different to what you’re offered at other grounds and the amount of time you’re allowed to stay inside the stadium it’s a whole day’s experience.
“So there is an argument for that but I think with the team being successful this season, I think there’s a few fans looking that saying we’ve started playing attractive football, the team’s all of a sudden a wanted commodity, people want to come back and watch Spurs because they’re enjoying it.
“Probably it’s looking like Champions League football again next season. So, with all that toe in line, the club have put the prices up.”
Tottenham season ticket price hike a tough pill to swallow
Robinson makes some fair points about the commercial success of the club and he is right that the team are playing a brand of football that means season tickets are going to be in demand.
But the hike really is tough pill for fans to swallow, especially a hike of six per cent at a time when people are still struggling amid rising prices across the country the past few years.
It does feel a little tone-deaf to put such a hike on the price of a season ticket and the timing is not exactly great when things are going well on the pitch – even accounting for a poor 3-0 defeat to Fulham (16 March).
It would be good if there was a re-think on this one but the likelihood of that happening feels pretty unlikely and it will definitely “hurt” the fans.
