OPINION: Championship ticket prices are a total rip-off, especially at Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County and Fulham

If Nottingham Forest aren't famous anymore then why do opposing clubs charge us Champions League prices?
Date:6th February 2016. Picture James Hardisty.
Leeds United v Nottingham Forest, pictured Leeds United's Mirco Antenucci, tackles Nottingham Forest David Vaughan.Date:6th February 2016. Picture James Hardisty.
Leeds United v Nottingham Forest, pictured Leeds United's Mirco Antenucci, tackles Nottingham Forest David Vaughan.
Date:6th February 2016. Picture James Hardisty. Leeds United v Nottingham Forest, pictured Leeds United's Mirco Antenucci, tackles Nottingham Forest David Vaughan.

In a week where we’ve witnessed mass walkouts over ticket prices it seems fitting to focus on the extortionate prices set by our Championship rivals.

What better place to start than Leeds United; for those who could afford the whopping £37 on Saturday they were rewarded with a fine win.

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As I said, for those who re mortgaged their properties to attend the game it was kind of worth it.

But take into account the £24 train fare, food and drink and you begin to wonder.

It is 36 years since we were last crowned European champions but some of our opponents seem to think we still are.

All this despite opposing fans singing “You’re not famous anymore”, every other week.

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Nottingham Forest have always been renowned for great away support with a 2000 strong following almost guaranteed, that number has began falling though.

Due to prices set by the likes of Derby, Sheffield Wednesday, Fulham and Leeds we now have an average of 1,328 at away fixtures, with an average price of £27 per ticket.

If I’m going to name and shame the fat cats it’s only fair to mention clubs like Blackburn and Charlton who charge an affordable £22.

There’s a direct correlation between rising prices and falling attendances that needs addressing, something that they have already mastered in Germany.

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Just three years ago in 2013 you could buy a £104 season ticket at Bayern Munich, simply because they put fans before the players’ ever increasing wages. Their president Uli Hoeness said: “We do not think the fans are like cows, who you milk. Football has got to be for everybody and that’s the biggest difference between us (Germany) and England.”

He was absolutely correct, unfortunately it only seems to be getting worse though; a record £5.1Billion Premier League broadcasting contract will only mean bigger wages for players and increasing ticket prices.

Ok, that maybe the Premier League but it always has a knock on effect, especially for the clubs aspiring to reach the Promised Land.

Getting back to the Championship, if you add up the combined ticket and travel cost of five top end away games, it is more than a half season ticket at the City Ground.

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Although according to Derby fans we get more at away games than we do at home, they do get bigger home crowds than us but there are a number of reasons for this.

Do they have two league clubs within 500 yards of each other? NO; do they have an Elite Ice Hockey team and stadium? NO; do they have a world class cricket ground? NO, do they have a Championship Rugby club? NO; and finally, do they give away far more free tickets than Forest? YES.

Given the fact that some of our many sporting teams play on the same day will always reduce the possible attendances for Nottingham Forest......but we’ve still got a manager.

What do you think about ticket pricing in football? email [email protected] with your views.