The Mail Bag
Everton in Oz Too Expensive?
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Everton's game here in Melbourne is scheduled for a 55,000 seat stadium with ticket prices being $50, $100, and $139. Even as a supporter of 45 years, and desperate to see the Blues, this seems a bit steep for what is after all a training run with probably a good portion of the team missing.
Add to this the fact that the game is against a brand new team with zero support base, I fear that at best the stadium will be half-full. These views and the talk of a boycott are echoed in Toffeeweb's Newslink section from a Brisbane Roar fan.
I'll be there (if it goes ahead) with as many family as possible, but we won't be in the best seats which we had expected to be.
Keith Edmunds, Posted 18/05/2010 at 06:36:14
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It is not Everton's home venue so they will get paid a fee, possibly a percentage of the gate receipts, but, as it is not their stadium, so they cannot dictate the prices.
Nothing to see here... as usual.
Clearly the clubs are failing to view these games as an opportunity to win over potential supporters/season ticket purchasers (many of the crowd seem to be young children) in a cheap, fun atmosphere, and instead prefer to see friendlies as an opportunity to simply reap a few quid.
Absolutely staggering, but my point is that this idiotic mentality doesn't just apply to Everton/Brisbane Roar. $139 is ridiculous, I just hope the stadium isn't two-thirds empty for what is definitely a massive opportunity for the Blues.
I'd still go if I was in your position though. Cheaper than getting a flight over here to watch us play Preston in the rain!
In Sydney the game is being held in ANZ (Olympic) stadium (80,000) instead of Sydney Football Stadium (42,000). There is no way they are going to get a decent crowd in that stadium at those prices.
What's wierd is that the new rectangular stadium only opened a few weeks ago (31k capacity) and they're not having it there! Crazy!
What with a certain gentleman? Name of Fowler pulling on the purple shirt. This season it could get shittier and even more expensive.
The price is not set by Everton but by the promoter, who has defended the prices by pointing out the costs involved in transport, accommodation, fees to the club, ground rental, insurances etc etc etc. I don't particularly care who turns out, whatever the team makeup, they'll all be wearing my club's kit.
Added benefit — maybe now I'll be able to buy a replica kit in Oz rather than having to get one from overseas.
But since I aint goin to the UK any time soon, and chances to see them play down here are few and far between.
I'll probably be getting tickets to all 3 games.
Melbourne being my home game, and being a Victory supporter, be good to see the new opposition team "Heart" get their asses kicked ;)
The event organiser will set the prices - but it's nothing to do with Everton Football Club.
I imagine that every event starts with the entertainer's asking price, on top of which goes costs and promoters profit. All I'm suggesting is that this time the promoters got it wrong.
I and most other Evertonians in Oz will turn up, but the neutrals will not.
The Sydney stadium holds 80k and Melbourne 55k, and they are ovals. If it really had to be this price, they should be in smaller stadiums, like the new purpose-built football stadium AAMI Park (31k) in Melbourne.
In terms of pricing, I don't know who sets the price except to say that prices for the Australia v Holland friendly with almost full squads cost substantially less. Presumably the costs for that would be similar if not more than for EFC visit. Something does not add up.
Roar are nothing special, the stadium is OK and there is no guarantee to see all first team Everton players. Mix that with the huge cost of drinks and food in the stadium, it is not going to be a cheap game... but I will be taking my wife to her first ever live game (not counting when I play) so I just hope the game is entertaining and the fans are fun!! See you there, ps, I will be the one in the blue 'Chang' strip!!! ;-P
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1 Posted 18/05/2010 at 08:10:09
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