A CASH figure has been put on an Irish person’s loyalty to the top teams in the English premiership. The most dedicated supporters will have little change out of €6,000 by the time the football season ends in May.
The price survey, which was carried out by the Ulster Bank, found that Irish football fans who hold season tickets for one of the “big four” clubs in England will have to spend about €5,500 attending all 19 home games this season once cost of the tickets, return travel, accommodation and spending money are totted up.
The costs climb dramatically if European fixtures are added to the mix.
Manchester United is not only the best supported English club in Ireland it is also the best value club to support, with a season ticket to see the champions at play on the hallowed turf of Old Trafford costing just €805 a year.
Liverpool fans pay €817 but it is the fans of the big London clubs who appear to be victims of the highest prices.
Arsenal have not won a trophy of any significance for a long time but they are still the champions of high-priced tickets. The cost of going to every home game at the club’s ground in north London is an eye-watering €1,516, making it the most expensive club to support in the premier league. Fans of neighbouring Chelsea, meanwhile, are being asked to pay €982 a year.
If they bring their car, Liverpool supporters can expect to shell out about €330 on a return ferry crossing for their team’s first game of the season tomorrow against Sunderland. Booking flights in advance will mean an average cost of €100 per person to attend Manchester United’s first home game against Tottenham, see Arsenal play Liverpool at the Emirates or cheer on Chelsea at home against West Bromwich Albion on August 20th.
A B&B close to any of the stadiums will cost €50 while fans who pick up a match programme and treat themselves to a few pints, pie and chips and snacks at the game can add upwards of €28 in spending money to the cost of their day out.
