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Walsall do not issue tickets in advance for visiting clubs and apart from the £4 discrepancy this is to avoid having to offer visiting supporters the £3 discount. In plain terms they are breaking Football League rules and ripping us off.
However, following CISA’s intervention yesterday they have been forced to issue tickets to us on safety grounds and they will have to do similar for the subsequent visit of Sheffield United.
This should automatically mean that we are charged £3 less but if a club is capable of overcharging you one way then they sure as hell are capable of doing it another way.
Our own club have done their best to at least get the £3 discount and said today, "Burnley FC did request that the same concession (£3 discount) was given to our supporters, as is given to Walsall supporters who purchase a ticket prior to matchday.
"This has been refused by Walsall, who have now changed their policy by only giving the £3 discount for the Burnley fixture if an additional ticket is purchased for one of their other two remaining home fixtures."
That’s right, they have now removed the £3 discount for home fans but will re-apply it if they buy tickets for both matches (i.e. a £6 discount for the two).
In a staggering comment on their own web site Walsall’s Commercial Director Roy Whalley says the decision to overcharge us is for our own protection.
"Crowd safety and segregation arrangements are paramount. We have taken the decision to amend the discount scheme to deter Burnley supporters, unable to obtain tickets from Turf Moor, from travelling to Walsall to purchase tickets.
"We believe that the procedure we have introduced is fair to our own supporters, since discounts are still available when purchasing tickets for more than one game at the same time. Away supporters are being protected from making unnecessary journeys by being told not to travel without a match ticket, and safety and segregation measures are being maintained."
A spokesman for the Clarets Independent Supporters Association said, "The battle for the £3 reduction may well have been lost but we’ll continue to pursue this matter with some urgency via the Football Supporters Federation and the Football League."
I personally will ensure that Walsall Football Club don’t get an extra penny from me on the day and that means keeping well clear of the refreshments. Maybe all Burnley supporters could take their own food on the day and give this club exactly what they deserve.
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