Non-league clubs in row over ticket price (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Darlington FC protests as West Auckland AFC put ticket prices up
3:51pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News
By Joe Willis, Regional Chief Reporter
A NON-LEAGUE football club has been accused of taking advantage of a well-supported rival after doubling ticket prices for a forthcoming game.
West Auckland Town AFC has increased admission from £5 to £10 for its game against Darlington FC on November 10.
Denis Pinnegar, chairman of Darlington FC, said he was “surprised and disappointed” at the rise.
He added that the increase was not discussed in advance with the club or, he believed, the league.
“I fully understand the extra cost of hosting a potential of 1,000 additional fans but the added income from the gate and food and drink outlets would have been very significant at their normal £5 per head,” he said.
“Darlington have a strong and loyal fan base who support the club in the league home and away and it looks as if they are being taken advantage of.”
Darlington FC is playing in the Northern League this season after being demoted five divisions by the FA.
The club averages crowds of more than 1,000 for home and away games.
But West Auckland secretary Allen Bayles rejected the claim his club was taking advantage of the Quakers.
He said the increase was needed to pay for up to 25 extra stewards for the game against Darlington.
He added: “We’ve been advised to get quite a few stewards because of the large crowd and that will have to be passed down.
“If we have to have police on duty in the ground then we’ll have to pay for them as well.”
Northern League chairman Mike Amos said he believed it was the first time a club had increased ticket prices for a game against Darlington.
He added: “I was made aware of this issue this morning and I have emailed West asking for their views.
“There’s nothing in the rules preventing West Auckland charging as much or as little as they want.”
However, Mr Amos said it might be “less invidious” if West Auckland were to charge £8 - the cost of an adult ticket for a Quakers home game.
“I would hope even now that for the sake of harmony West might decide to charge £8 instead,” he added.
Comments(44)
Paul2034
says...
4:20pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Hilly_2009
says...
4:30pm Mon 22 Oct 12
There are always way around bumping up the price up and passing that price onto Darlington fans. I appreciate there is added cost, but with the increased number of fans, there should be more than enough to hire additional stewards (if needed) as well as make a great deal of profit. Billingham Town showed just that.
I personally won't be going if these prices remain the same, and I urge other Darlo fans to follow suit.
Quakerz
says...
4:45pm Mon 22 Oct 12
If they don't relent, and we turn up in numbers, then other clubs will get the same idea. If they don't relent, I'm happy to support a boycott even though I'm really looking forward to this match.
Besides if no Darlo fans turn up then there won't be any trouble.
quakerfan
says...
5:32pm Mon 22 Oct 12
QuakerZone
says...
6:09pm Mon 22 Oct 12
In situations like this it is a matter of principal if we are soft on this then other clubs may well follow suit, it would be like Darlo charging £16 for the home game with West Auckland siting the need to cover extra policing and stewards which to me still doesn't justify doubling the price.
None of the other clubs we have visited this season have done this so why should there be an exception made for them?
The danger of willingly accepting paying double could set a precedent other clubs may do the same arguing that if West can do it why can't they?
joedarlo45
says...
6:13pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Idontknowaboutyoubut
says...
7:11pm Mon 22 Oct 12
trol the trouble makers in your midsts.And dont bother denying their existence.You must know who they are.
jewitt
says...
10:47pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Idontknowaboutyoubut wrote:You need to get your facts sorted. I've been to most away games and there has been minimal problems.
Haven't I read reports of trouble between fans at recent games involving Darlington?I think other clubs are beginning to feel intimidated by the numbers of fans,some of whom are bent on bother.I accept that it is only a small minority of boozed-up idiots,but that doesnt make it less scary for clubs who are used to 100/200 gates.Stop whinging,and pay up.Alternatively,con
trol the trouble makers in your midsts.And dont bother denying their existence.You must know who they are.
TheVapors
says...
10:59pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Idontknowaboutyoubut
says...
11:02pm Mon 22 Oct 12
jewitt wrote:Oh dear,do I really have to get my facts right?
Idontknowaboutyoubut wrote:You need to get your facts sorted. I've been to most away games and there has been minimal problems.
Haven't I read reports of trouble between fans at recent games involving Darlington?I think other clubs are beginning to feel intimidated by the numbers of fans,some of whom are bent on bother.I accept that it is only a small minority of boozed-up idiots,but that doesnt make it less scary for clubs who are used to 100/200 gates.Stop whinging,and pay up.Alternatively,con
trol the trouble makers in your midsts.And dont bother denying their existence.You must know who they are.
Tell that to the editor of the "Echo".The trouble was clearly reported in this very paper ,mate.Are you in denial?
gvx220
says...
11:55pm Mon 22 Oct 12
http://www.darlofc.c
o.uk/forum/viewtopic
.php?f=2&t=21760
gvx220
says...
12:25am Tue 23 Oct 12
.com/Phones4u?sk=app
_508252502536374
superstretch
says...
9:09am Tue 23 Oct 12
Highlights how out of kilter this decision is with everyone else in this cracking league.
Quakerz
says...
9:10am Tue 23 Oct 12
joedarlo45 wrote:If we boycott the match it doesn't affect Mike Amos in any way, shape, or form, neither does it affect the Northern League or it's integrity. Amos would have no reason to be "more than fair".
Extra stewards??? would be surprised if stewards are well paid....£8 sounds a fair price to me...and I wouldnt like to get on the wrong side of Mike Amos who has a reputation of beong more than fair..Please no boycott...just common sense
holmesc1
says...
12:51pm Tue 23 Oct 12
christophano
says...
1:43pm Tue 23 Oct 12
They're either profiteering at our expense, or trying to discourage our fans from attending, to lessen the encouragement our team gets from having such excellent support at home and away.
Hilly_2009
says...
3:53pm Tue 23 Oct 12
pandorica
says...
6:04pm Tue 23 Oct 12
jewitt wrote:I was at the away match a couple of weeks back at Billingham and there was trouble and fighting right in front of me, so i for one have got my facts right. Unfortunately in any team you will always get a few outhere to disrupt the game and spoil it. However £10 to watch non leauge football is unberlievable and i will not be going. I could go watch NUFC play for not much more than that, in a nice stadium, where the crowd is managed approproately and where my children will feel safe and not scared like they did at the last game they went to.
Idontknowaboutyoubut wrote:You need to get your facts sorted. I've been to most away games and there has been minimal problems.
Haven't I read reports of trouble between fans at recent games involving Darlington?I think other clubs are beginning to feel intimidated by the numbers of fans,some of whom are bent on bother.I accept that it is only a small minority of boozed-up idiots,but that doesnt make it less scary for clubs who are used to 100/200 gates.Stop whinging,and pay up.Alternatively,con
trol the trouble makers in your midsts.And dont bother denying their existence.You must know who they are.
stiv
says...
6:28pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Lawman3
says...
11:05pm Tue 23 Oct 12
I would urge Darlo fans to stay away and show West Auckland what a crass and counter-productive decision they have made.
doonhamer
says...
12:59pm Wed 24 Oct 12
stiv wrote:Somebody with sense. If you follow Darlo, you follow, end of story. Anyone boycotting is cutting their nose to spite their face. West see this game as a pay day and good luck to them. Clubs need to make money at every opportunity. Premier league clubs have category A, B and C games. At St James Park you pay top dollar to see Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea etc, less for West Ham, Villa and Fulham and even less for the visits of Wigan, Swansea and Stoke. Nobody complains, it makes sense the more attractive the opposition the more you pay, just as you do to watch top performers in the theatre or pop groups in concerts. Darlo are the big fish in the Northern League, lets have some pride in that. We are on the up after a traumatic few months earlier this year and Wests price hike wouldn't even buy you two pints. As for the comments about trouble, yes there has been the odd scuffle once or twice, but nothing to be alarmed about and 'comfortable all seater stadiums' are not without their hooligan element as well. I think the recent Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United game clarifies that point.
We will be there whether it''s 5 or 10 pounds to get in. it will be another great day all round. Billingham Synthonia is on saturday so we should be looking forward to that,
Quakerz
says...
2:53pm Wed 24 Oct 12
doonhamer
says...
4:04pm Wed 24 Oct 12
Quakerz wrote:Yes, never missed this season mate (home or away) even Hebburn in the Cup.
So you're going are you doonhamer?
Quakerz
says...
4:06pm Wed 24 Oct 12
doonhamer
says...
4:20pm Wed 24 Oct 12
Quakerz wrote:Respect your decision and fully understand and agree that West are taking advantage. If we give them a five goal thumping then I would be happy to call that satisfactory retribution and I don't want to miss it. Looks like a lot of fans share your sentiments though and a boycott by several looks to be on the agenda.
I'm not going. West can go and fvck themselves.
Darlogirl1
says...
12:15pm Thu 25 Oct 12
After all the talk about following them backing them and then something goes a little bit wrong i.e. hike prices up and wham boycott!!!!
Come on…….
Hilly_2009
says...
1:06pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Darlogirl1 wrote:So Darlo fans should sit back and be taken advantage of? Sorry, but that's not right.
I don’t follow football can’t be bothered with it but why why would Darlo fans boycott the game????
After all the talk about following them backing them and then something goes a little bit wrong i.e. hike prices up and wham boycott!!!!
Come on…….
Where does it stop? £15? £20? Just because we have a decent following, does not give people the opportunity to exploit us.
I follow the club religiously, but even the board, the players and the majority of fans can see that this just isn't on.
christophano
says...
3:33pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Darlogirl1 wrote:Did you even read the article?
I don’t follow football can’t be bothered with it but why why would Darlo fans boycott the game????
After all the talk about following them backing them and then something goes a little bit wrong i.e. hike prices up and wham boycott!!!!
Come on…….
An opposing team are suddenly doubling their ticket prices for our game alone, and we should accept this?
We're boycotting the game as a demonstration against West Auckland FC, it in no way lessens our support or backing for the Quakers.
Quakerz
says...
9:36am Fri 26 Oct 12
Darlogirl1 wrote:Shut up.
I don’t follow football can’t be bothered with it but why why would Darlo fans boycott the game????
After all the talk about following them backing them and then something goes a little bit wrong i.e. hike prices up and wham boycott!!!!
Come on…….
Lawman3
says...
3:41pm Fri 26 Oct 12
stiv
says...
6:53pm Sun 28 Oct 12
GBeech10
says...
10:12pm Sun 28 Oct 12
TheVapors
says...
12:07am Mon 29 Oct 12
GBeech10 wrote:Firstly, you're not forced to park in the official car park for Darlo and pay £3 (it cost the club to create that parking area for fans, by the way) so use any number of free parking spaces within walking distance - poor excuse for not attending.
I agree with the majority of Darlo fans who think West are simply out to make a fast buck....but Darlo charge £3 to park at their home games! As a spectator who watches ALL the local teams as often as possible, that parking charge has stopped me from going back anytime soon. By the way, West don't charge to park!
Secondly, West may not charge for theirs but exactly how do you expect all the Darlington fans to take advantage of this "free" parking? There simply isn't the capacity.
gvx220
says...
12:29am Mon 29 Oct 12
poor excuse..just so you know...loads of free parking 1 or 2 minute walk from the ground in the Tindale Crossing pub/Premier Inn hotel car park....no restrictions. Hope that helps...where theres a will theres a way if you want to watch the lads.
spangle32
says...
8:41am Mon 29 Oct 12
Lawman3
says...
9:26am Mon 29 Oct 12
Quakerz
says...
12:17pm Mon 29 Oct 12
GBeech10 wrote:Two things...
I agree with the majority of Darlo fans who think West are simply out to make a fast buck....but Darlo charge £3 to park at their home games! As a spectator who watches ALL the local teams as often as possible, that parking charge has stopped me from going back anytime soon. By the way, West don't charge to park!
1 Supply and demand. If you want a convenient spot you have to pay because there are more people wanting a convenient spot than there are places
2 If you don't want to pay there is loads and loads of free street and industrial parking within the local area which comes at a cost of 10-15 minutes walk.
Quakerz
says...
12:23pm Mon 29 Oct 12
spangle32 wrote:We are not being ripped off by our club because the ticket price was carefully considered, and based on what most Darlington fans were HAPPY to pay.
Darlo fans are been ripped off by their own club yet all of these loyal supporters have yet to mention the price of their season ticket in regards to their hosts prices ! The West Auckland fc are just cashing in on the big gate well that happens in the fa cup and latter stages of cup competitions all the time and the premiership have the three catergories . Football is a business even in the lower leagues and what they serve as entertainment could and should be brought up to the trade descriptions act . You are either a fan and tolerate it or you are a follower and refuse to accept the financial penalties to watch take your pick !
Let me tell you, I'm more than happy to pay £8 to watch a progressive club smash teams left right and centre, whereas last year I was paying £18 to watch a hopelessly ill equipped side get embarrassed every week.
We own our club, we set our prices and the asking price is great value. If other clubs want to charge less, then that is their look out and not our problem.
Back to the original debate, West charge £5, they've doubled it just for us, blatant profiteering when normal prices would have seen gate receipts 7 or 8 times higher than normal. Well they can do one, and I hope this move backfires.
john north yorks
says...
4:40pm Mon 29 Oct 12
GBeech10
says...
7:01pm Mon 29 Oct 12
Quakerz wrote:Thank you for your observations, but I would like to point out that I have been watching Northern League football since the 1960's and have NEVER been asked to pay to park near a ground before! Also, I am a blue badge holder and a 10 - 15 minute walk anywhere is very difficult for me. Perhaps this is the price people like me have to pay for welcoming the mighty Darlington into our league!
GBeech10 wrote:Two things...
I agree with the majority of Darlo fans who think West are simply out to make a fast buck....but Darlo charge £3 to park at their home games! As a spectator who watches ALL the local teams as often as possible, that parking charge has stopped me from going back anytime soon. By the way, West don't charge to park!
1 Supply and demand. If you want a convenient spot you have to pay because there are more people wanting a convenient spot than there are places
2 If you don't want to pay there is loads and loads of free street and industrial parking within the local area which comes at a cost of 10-15 minutes walk.
gvx220
says...
12:33am Tue 30 Oct 12
GBeech10 wrote:GBeech....I can tell from the way you speak you with a scornful comment/attitude....
Quakerz wrote:Thank you for your observations, but I would like to point out that I have been watching Northern League football since the 1960's and have NEVER been asked to pay to park near a ground before! Also, I am a blue badge holder and a 10 - 15 minute walk anywhere is very difficult for me. Perhaps this is the price people like me have to pay for welcoming the mighty Darlington into our league!
GBeech10 wrote:Two things...
I agree with the majority of Darlo fans who think West are simply out to make a fast buck....but Darlo charge £3 to park at their home games! As a spectator who watches ALL the local teams as often as possible, that parking charge has stopped me from going back anytime soon. By the way, West don't charge to park!
1 Supply and demand. If you want a convenient spot you have to pay because there are more people wanting a convenient spot than there are places
2 If you don't want to pay there is loads and loads of free street and industrial parking within the local area which comes at a cost of 10-15 minutes walk.
'mighty Darlington' that you have a right chip on your shoulder and arent a true fan...why dont you look for excuses to go than to not go along. Think about it...you say have been watching teams which dont have an issue with parking as they attract a few hundred people max so free public parking is never an issue. Do you not think somebody has to pay for the land...on which to cater for all these extra cars what no other club would have....and by the way...theres volunteers giving there time to help you park on the site should you choose to do so. If you really cannot appreciate paying £3 then I have already mentioned the parking at Tindale Crossing/Premier Inn which I can assure you is less than a 5 minute walk along a flat path..(i know..i park there)so I hope this helps....can you acknowledge this instead of the comments that rile you? I really dont know how people can be negative about the club these days....These are good enjoyable times...appreciate them.
Quakerz
says...
12:43am Tue 30 Oct 12
You go to any game at any level with a crowd of 1,500 or more and free parking close to the ground is going to be rare to non existent.
Granted this normally happens at higher levels, but it's not really our fault that we've brought those sorts of crowds and demands for extremely limited parking spaces down to this level. Don't forget that we've already built one car park to cope with demand - we had to pay the costs for that, so we can't let people park there for free surely?
You'll just have to give us a swerve won't you, and just go to other Northern League matches instead, until we can get a ground/parking that can cope with demand
Quakerz
says...
12:47am Tue 30 Oct 12
gvx220 wrote:He's not actually a Darlington fan though, he's someone that has been watching Northern League football since the 60's.
GBeech10 wrote:GBeech....I can tell from the way you speak you with a scornful comment/attitude....
Quakerz wrote:Thank you for your observations, but I would like to point out that I have been watching Northern League football since the 1960's and have NEVER been asked to pay to park near a ground before! Also, I am a blue badge holder and a 10 - 15 minute walk anywhere is very difficult for me. Perhaps this is the price people like me have to pay for welcoming the mighty Darlington into our league!
GBeech10 wrote:Two things...
I agree with the majority of Darlo fans who think West are simply out to make a fast buck....but Darlo charge £3 to park at their home games! As a spectator who watches ALL the local teams as often as possible, that parking charge has stopped me from going back anytime soon. By the way, West don't charge to park!
1 Supply and demand. If you want a convenient spot you have to pay because there are more people wanting a convenient spot than there are places
2 If you don't want to pay there is loads and loads of free street and industrial parking within the local area which comes at a cost of 10-15 minutes walk.
'mighty Darlington' that you have a right chip on your shoulder and arent a true fan...why dont you look for excuses to go than to not go along. Think about it...you say have been watching teams which dont have an issue with parking as they attract a few hundred people max so free public parking is never an issue. Do you not think somebody has to pay for the land...on which to cater for all these extra cars what no other club would have....and by the way...theres volunteers giving there time to help you park on the site should you choose to do so. If you really cannot appreciate paying £3 then I have already mentioned the parking at Tindale Crossing/Premier Inn which I can assure you is less than a 5 minute walk along a flat path..(i know..i park there)so I hope this helps....can you acknowledge this instead of the comments that rile you? I really dont know how people can be negative about the club these days....These are good enjoyable times...appreciate them.
He's not looking for excuses not to go to Darlo matches like some so called Darlo fans do - he's just moaning generally that going to a Darlo match is not the same as going to another NL match.
Quakerz says...
4:13pm Mon 22 Oct 12
I actually don't think this is a blatant attempt by West to make a quick buck, and believe they need the finance to pay for stewards and police. I'd rather they charged say £8 like Amos said so the extra money pays for security, than charge £5 and then everybody is worrying about what might happen.