Posh admission fees make fans think twice

DEAR DO: Peterborough have hiked up their charges despite being relegated.

ATHLETIC fans are rebelling after being asked to fork out up to £28 to get in at Peterborough on Saturday — the most expensive match day tickets in league one.

The London Road club has increased admission prices by £3 - despite being relegated from the Championship last season.

With no cheaper standing room available for visiting fans due to ground redevelopment, travelling supporters are being charged a premium to sit in a section of the main stand for Saturday’s “Category A” game.

If Athletic fans don’t purchase £25 tickets in advance, the £3 surcharge applies on the gate. The prices have persuaded many frustrated Athletic supporters to look for entertainment elsewhere on Saturday.

“Even at £25 it’s too expensive,” said Richard Attwood of Trust Oldham. “Local derbies have extra policing costs, but that isn’t the case here. Add the cost of coach travel at £22 and fans have spent up to £50 before they have even started with other costs on the day.

“I know a lot of Latics fans have decided to give this one a miss because of the price, which is a shame.”

Peterborough insists the closure of London Road’s standing section has distorted the picture.

“The terracing, which would be £5 cheaper for adults, is shut for redevelopment,” said a spokesperson at London Road. “The £25 advance price is actually the same as it was the last time we were in League One.”

The category A classification puts the game in Peterborough’s top price bracket. The club has classified all but seven of its games this way this season. Athletic charges all visiting supporters £20.

“It certainly is an expensive day out for our supporters,” said chief executive Neil joy. “Hopefully, our fans will still travel in good numbers.”




COUNTING THE COST



Our breakdown of the price of a day out at London Road, Peterborough —

Walk-on train ticket: £73.80 adult, £36.90 child (off-peak return from Manchester Piccadilly)

Official coach travel: £22 per person

Car journey in petrol: £46 (return journey from Boundary Park)*

Match admission on the day: £28 adults, £18 seniors/students, £15 under-16s

Programme: £3

Refreshments: Pie £2.90, cup of tea £2

Potential cost for a family of four: £154 to £330


HAS following Athletic in League One simply become too expensive a pastime?

Or is the price of watching football in a highly competitive third tier a fair one?

Send us your thoughts to sport@oldham-chronicle.co.uk  or on Twitter at @Matt_Chambers_