I received a text off one of my mates from Gossy – He thought I had written this | OneFootball

I received a text off one of my mates from Gossy (Gosforth, for those outside the area), he thought I had written an article “Modern Football is rubbish – Here’s the proof” on The Mag and was surprised not to see my name as the author.

I then read the follow up article “Modern Football is rubbish – Here’s the proof (again)” last week, which I also resoundingly agreed with.

The most interesting part in the last article for me was costs and money and of course ticket inflation, the author pointing out that back in the 1970s when he started going, it was 50p for Newcastle United fans to watch their team from the terraces, compared to now £50 minimum a ticket for many matches if NUFC members are lucky enough to get them in the ballots/sales.

This season I have struggled to get tickets for me and my son, paying to be Newcastle United member simply for a chance of getting a ticket. We did pretty well last season in the lottery that is the ballot, however, things seem to have changed somewhat.

A sign of the times maybe that I paid £65 last season for the privilege of sitting/standing in the West Ham main end, next to a Hammers season ticket holder called Jamie. A very unpleasant little man.

Looking back, the days of paying in at the turnstile did mean that youngsters could just turn up and get in, as I did in the seventies and eighties.

I am sure my teenage son doesn’t want to be at the football with his middle-aged dad, but realises, this is the only way he can ever get to see his team live.

When I was his age I was with my mates.

Granted, I was also with my older brothers and their mates, but we were all teenagers together. A camaraderie which continued in later years.

I also read a piece on The Mag pointing out that when we get a new stadium we need to have a section for youngsters to pay in. Couldn’t agree more.

Yet another article on The Mag pointed out that the atmosphere at St James’ Park was “woeful”, largely thanks to the ground predominantly full of old(er) supporters these days.

We need that Eighties vibe back, we need the New Wave who are being sidelined.

Teenagers have their own language and code and though many are thoroughly unpleasant, they are the future generation, like it or not.

I recently purchased a ticket for the Punk Grime band Bob Vylan, £24 for the ticket plus £4 booking fee and then £2 delivery fee. Delivery was by email so grand total of £30 for a gig at Brixton Electric.

Ouch I thought. I have kept as many ticket stubs as possible whether it was gigs or football and I dislike the fact that I have been forced into having digital tickets.

In 1986 my ticket to see John Lydon’s Public Image Limited was £6 in the stalls at the City Hall. On 1st Feb 1986 I saw Coventry City in Canon League Division One. In a seat in the East Stand Leazes Wing. Probably right next to the Cov lot. Cost for an Adult £6,

What conclusions can we draw from this?

Well, I begrudgingly paid £72 for my ticket at Fulham a few weeks back.

So I think the author of the article Modern Football is rubbish has got a real point.

Youngsters are being pushed out as well as lifelong supporters who can not afford to pay the premium prices that football clubs are now modelling.