Liverpool fan groups are urging their fellow supporters to join them in walking out of Anfield on the 77th minute of their home tie against Sunderland this weekend in protest at the new ticket pricing structure the club released this week.
It will be the first walkout ever staged in Liverpool's history, although a number of fans boycotted last season's away game at Hull City in protest at the price set by Hull City.
The significance of the 77th minute is in relation to the pricing of a ticket in the newly-developed Main Stand at £77, an increase from £59.
Whilst the club did make some price cuts (juvenile fans will be given £9 for Category C games i.e. the games against lower clubs which Liverpool will still manage to drop points amid a vacuous atmosphere) the new structure features Liverpool's most expensive ever season ticket, at £1,029.
Two Liverpool fan groups, Spirit of Shankly and Spion Kop 1904 have been in discussion with the club for some time regarding these ticket prices, and feel extrmely aggrieved that the dialogue has led to little headway being made.
The Spirit of Shankly were quoted as saying the following:
There are some small reductions but the news overall is that prices are going up by quite large amounts.
This is despite the fact that the club promised to work with supporters’ groups and take their views on board.
In dealings we have had with the club the people at Anfield have always been reasonable and approachable, our frustration at these unnecessary price hikes is entirely with the owners.
We believe the decision making here has come from Boston.
The Boston reference is to the head of Liverpool's owners, Fenway Sports Group.
The Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre said that the club could not please everyone.
What is affordable to one person is different to another.
With that in mind we tried to create a range of prices. We have listened to fans’ concerns and come up with some new initiatives, and we hope there is something for all.
The Spirit of Shankly group have since tweeted a letter from the club's lawyers wherein they refer to Liverpool supporters as customers:
A letter, from the club's lawyers. Note the underlines & use of 'customers'. #SupportersNotCustomers pic.twitter.com/S5pTnjdOTJ
— Spirit of Shankly (@spiritofshankly) February 4, 2016
The Spion Kop group have uncovered an even more damning view of supporters on the FSG website:
#SupportersNotCustomerspic.twitter.com/JwbN9Mem0B
— Spion Kop 1906 (@SpionKop1906) February 3, 2016
The company have since changed the slogan:
So @FenwaySportsMgt have now changed their site!? No longer transforming 'fans to customers' but 'consumers to fans' pic.twitter.com/dIkNNnOIAt
— Jay McKenna (@JayMcKenna87) February 4, 2016
[Guardian]
