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Date: 22nd November 2022
NEWS RELEASE
COST OF LIVING CRISIS COULD LEAD TO A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN SUPPORTER SPENDING ACCORDING TO NATIONAL SUPPORTERS SURVEY
22nd November 2022: The Scottish Football Supporters Association has conducted a national supporter’s consultation to identify how the rising cost of living is affecting fans, predict what the potential implications are for clubs, and to gather supporter opinion on suggested solutions to issues.
The consultation with a sample size of nearly 600 participants, found that 52% of season ticket holders found the decision to renew for this season either somewhat tough or very tough.
Over half of supporters stated that rising costs are likely to have a negative effect on the number of matches which they will attend going forward. Further to this, over half stated that they are likely to spend less on food and drink, whereas 25% thought that they were likely to spend less on sports TV subscriptions.
74% of supporters stated that they are concerned with rising travel costs, with over 50% feeling that this will negatively affect the number of matches which they are likely to attend.
34% of supporters were also dissatisfied with how clubs and governing bodies have handled the cost of living crisis.
72% of supporters stated that they would be in favor of clubs kicking off at 1pm, in order to reduce costs for clubs operating floodlights during fixtures.
92% of supporters stated that they are in support of a standardized price cap on away tickets in the SPFL, in order to reduce the financial burden on away fans. Additionally, 74% of supporters feel as though they are not listened to on the issue of ticket prices.
Stuart Murphy, SFSA Chief executive said: “ We have been concerned for some time as to how the current financial crisis will impact on our football clubs. The loyalty of fans as we saw through the pandemic is unique and powerful and the financial contribution they have made has been beyond compare. The worry is that the current situation where many have to heat or eat means that even the most dedicated supporter will have to make difficult choices. We feel that to protect the game serious discussion now need to be had around pricing and in particular a price cap on away ticket costs. We will seek to get this on the agenda at the SPFL”.
The SFSA is Scotland’s only fully independent supporters organisation, open to fans from all clubs at all levels of our national game. A non-profit voluntary organisation and a community interest company with over 76,000 members, the SFSA works with fans, clubs, football authorities and the Scottish Government to make Scottish football better for everyone, with supporters at the very heart of it.
(See SFSA website for more information: (https://scottishfsa.org/about-sfsa/)
Ends
For further information on The SFSA please contact Paddy Hainey via paddy@scottishfsa.org
CEO Stuart Murphy is available for interview 07852 213068
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