By Mark Dingwall
I decided a long time ago not to pay over the odds again for a ticket. That’s my choice.
The way I look at it is – we’re all Bluenoses and none of us should profit from a ticket that can go to another Bluenose. I’m not going to be a hypocrite and say I’ve never paid over the odds – in Barcelona few years ago I did and I’ve done so on other occasions. However, the rules of Follow Follow’s ticket office section makes it clear that face value is the way to go.
Also – I don’t get angry about people who do pay over the odds – it’s their hard-earned cash. But I would say that doing so creates an atmosphere in which touts – official and unofficial can flourish. Hence we see re-sell sites flogging briefs for 40 or 50 times face value.
There is perfectly valid argument that this is a once in a lifetime event and people will spend what it takes to be part of that. Again, perfectly understandable if you’ve shelled out hundreds for accommodation, flights and food – going an extra mile to get into the stadium hardly seems unreasonable. For those who have done so – enjoy yourselves.
Yes, I feel there is a bigger point to be made here – even if i do make it in vain. We can hardly complain about ticket prices going forward for all games and the MyGers tax on tickets if we ourselves stoke the furnaces of price for certain games.
If someone has a hospitality ticket bought through the club or UEFA then they’ve every right to flog it for what it cost them – hospitality is a huge income stream for clubs and can’t be ignored.
I’ve also got to declare a hand here and say I have a chance of getting into the press box but that is controlled entirely by UEFA and they, not un-naturally, are heavily biased towards servicing the mainstream media. Being a club media partner is no guarantee of entry, sadly.
So, yes, I will be in Seville and soaking up the atmosphere but I’m not going to cough a thousand Euros for a ticket. On Thursday night against Leipzig I enjoyed the game and being there – I have enjoyed the European nights over the last three seasons just to be part of it was a bonus – and so will Seville be an occasion to savour, in the ground or in the bar.
I will have no jealousy for those who make it into the stadium – but if a debilitating illness or death should strike you or any of your close friends – bear me in mind for that spare.
