Many supporters’ groups have argued for years that clubs have to make more of an effort to attract travelling fans to their grounds. There was a time when it was the norm to follow the team home and away but cost has become a significant barrier. While home fans are able to take advantage of season tickets to make substantial savings, fans of the away team have had no option but to pay full gate price. And how that cost has risen, the average price at the visitor gate is now in the mid twenty pound range.
For the next two meetings between Dundee United and Motherwell (Fir Park Friday 8 November and Tannadice Saturday 24 January) visiting fans can gain entry for £10 (£5 concessions/juveniles) on production of a voucher from their season book. That’s less than half of the normal turnstile price (£23).
This first step deserves the backing of every season ticket holder as the success of the venture may lead to a widening of the scheme. It’s certain that other clubs will look with interest at the experiment and we should do everything to encourage them to join.
South of the border the Football Supporters federation has been pushing an Away Supporters Initiative and although no on scheme has been agreed many clubs have some deal to encourage their fans to travel – Stoke give their fans free coach travel, Swansea and Leicester have reciprocal agreements, West Ham give a £10 reduction to their fans and so on.
The sight of an empty stand behind one of the goals has become an all too common sight in Scottish football. Many of us remember fondly the time, not too far distant, when there was a healthy visiting support at most games.
This attempt by the two clubs deserves to succeed and we thank those far sighted enough to take the first step. They should persist and widen the scheme and slowly but surely we’ll see an upturn in those who travel with their team colours.
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