Liverpool ticket increase a disgrace

It’s not like me to defend Liverpool fans but today I feel the need. The Liverpool hierarchy have decided to put the season ticket prices at Anfield up by 7%.

This is an insult to the loyal Liverpool fans who have suffered disappointment for so long.

Debts

As we all know Liverpool are heavily in debt thanks to their American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The debt will no doubt not be helped by the fact that the Reds won’t be appearing in the Champions League next season. That’s a lot of television revenue missing from the coffers.

There are many reasons why the club have taken this decision. The first must be the massive debt. A price hike on tickets is unlikely to even pay the interest on that debt, so that seems like false economy.

Then there is the £6million pay-off to ex-manager Rafa Benitez. According to reports the Liverpool board were hoping a club would come in for Benitez and they wouldn’t have to pay the 50 year-old compensation.

Unfortunately they felt they had to move fast to get rid of Benitez. That meant they had to pay him a hefty pay-off. Liverpool are lucky that the Spaniard didn’t demand the full £16million owed to him for the four years still left on his contract.

The final reason is the aforementioned lack of Champions League football next season. For so long Liverpool have been receiving television revenue and prize money from Europe’s top competition. The lack of Champions League football will have far reaching effects on the clubs bank balance.

Loyal

Liverpool fans are amongst the most loyal in the country but even their loyalty will be tested by this latest development. They don’t even know whose going to be in charge of their club next season. Some fans may even decide not to renew their season tickets next season because of the increase.

Reward

Liverpool have endured an awful season and should be encouraging the fans to come and watch Liverpool play, not discourage them by charging them more of their hard-earned cash. Most clubs understand that current financial circumstances mean that there is less spare cash in your average football’s fans pocket.

If I was a Liverpool fan I would decide not to renew my season ticket for next season. Not just because of the price increase but because of the mess the club are in on the pitch. I have never known Liverpool Football Club to be in such disarray.

Mess

Liverpool are in crisis on and off the pitch. They are currently without a manager, finished seventh in the Premier League last season and have huge debts. It’s not exactly inspirational stuff. Liverpool are far from where they once were in the game and it must hurt their fans.

Their next manager will have to operate on a tight budget. Liverpool are now in a catch 22 situation. They need to strengthen their squad but don’t have the necessary financial resources to do it. Liverpool have brought in some poor quality players in recent years and the current squad just isn’t good enough to even qualify for the Champions League, as proven last season.

Better

Liverpool fans must be fed up of underachieving and failing in recent years. They deserve better treatment from the club they love. I suspect however that no matter what the Liverpool board do the Liverpool fans will never abandon their club, luckily for the Liverpool hierarchy.