Fans responsible for price increases

Last updated : 01 April 2005 By Tony Scholes

We can also reassure a member of Burnley Cricket Club that they will not be moving to the West End next season either as cricket continues to be played in front of small gatherings in the shadow of Burnley FC.


So it was not a suggestion from any group of supporters - but the carefully hand-picked group of fans who make up the Supporters Consultation Group are certainly responsible for the disgraceful price hike for match day admission next season.

In an amazing statement yesterday, the buck passing Chief Executive of Burnley FC Dave Edmundson laid the blame firmly at the feet of his hand-picked group of fans, a group all carefully selected and known to the club.

Even a blind man on a galloping horse can see that the club have been inundated with criticism this week but the sidestepping former Blackburn schoolteacher made it clear yesterday that it was only after discussions with the chosen ones that these scandalous match day increases were introduced for next season.

“This came directly from the Supporters Consultation Group, which is a cross-section of fans from all areas of the ground,” he said in defence of the decision. “They informed us our match day prices were quite low compared to many other Championship grounds they attend.”

And just in case anyone didn’t get it the first time he added, “But again I stress this is a result of the Supporters Consultation Group, who made the point of raising prices on a match day and keeping them lower in advance.” That's not the case though, Edmundson hasn’t kept them lower in advance, he’s just increased them on the day.

So the Chief Executive who brought us an anthem (because Wolves had one), flags (because Bolton have them) and a Supporters Consultation Group (because Norwich have one) has now introduced higher match day prices because other clubs charge higher rates.

But don’t blame the schoolteacher, he’s only acting on the words of his hand-picked group – we’ll see now how many of them do the honourable thing and resign.