There will be fan demonstrations at both Liverpool v Manchester City and Manchester United v Everton on Sunday.
Fans from all four Premier League North West clubs will unite on Sunday to protest increased ticket costs ahead of the big Merseyside against Manchester double header at opposite sides of East Lancs Road.
In a dramatic display of togetherness, fans of the quartet will highlight what they call the “exploitation of loyal supporters,” as they move beyond their historic rivalries with protests that will see them “standing shoulder to shoulder.”
According to the Daily Mail, every but one Premier League club has boosted ticket prices this season, and in the week when the competition’s new TV agreement increased by 17% to £12.25 billion, there is growing fear that some clubs are now approaching the £30 restriction on away tickets.
As previously reported in the ECHO on Wednesday, Everton fan group members are set to join some of their Manchester United counterparts outside Old Trafford at 12:30pm by the Trinity statue before their match to display a Stop Exploiting Loyalty banner following a decision by Red Devils chiefs to raise match ticket prices for members to £66 per match, without concessions, for the remainder of the season, without consulting any fan groups.
At 3 p.m., fans from Liverpool’s Spirit of Shankly will join City’s 1894 and MCFC Fans Foodbank Support outside the foodbank collecting point near the Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish stands at Anfield.
Dave Kelly of Everton Fans Supporting Foodbanks stated that the cost of living situation is becoming increasingly severe.
Children go to school hungry, parents skip meals, and some of our towns’ most passionate and dedicated fans cannot afford match tickets. ‘We are overjoyed to be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Reds and Blues of Manchester and Merseyside.
“It’s not about the colour of the shirt or the badge on the chest. It’s about protecting and making the great game more accessible to all fans.”
Gareth Roberts, a Spirit of Shankly representative, said: “It’s time for teams to understand that their fortune and success are built on their fans’ unshakeable allegiance.
The impassioned support that drives the construction of flags and banners, songs, and vocal backing stems from generational dedication to the cause. “That support is endangered by football ticket prices, TV subscriptions, and even the prices of food and drink on the concourse.
“Raising prices when supporters’ financial pressures are at an all-time high is an insult. We are happy to join Manchester fans in this push for fairness.”
Nick Clarke, spokesperson for MCFC Fans Foodbank Support, stated, “There has been increasing animosity between City and Liverpool fans in recent years as a result of the rivalry on the pitch, so we are incredibly proud to stand together on this important issue.”
“Tribalism prevents football fans from addressing the true problems to the game we created; working-class fans are being priced out in front of our eyes. We can reverse this tendency.” Meanwhile, an FC58 spokeswoman stated that “the rivalry between these four clubs has been and continues to be fierce.”
However, we all attend games, support our team, and want to keep football affordable for future generations while conserving heritage and communities.
“We can only do this through partnership. This is the first step. “This movement will grow.”
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