Fulham fans to protest against ticket prices

Fulham supporters have called on the club to reconsider its ticket pricing policy amid concerns long-standing fans are being squeezed out of Craven Cottage.

Season tickets increased by 10% in 2022 following the team’s promotion back to the Premier League and then by 18% ahead of the 2023/24 campaign after the Whites comfortably maintained their place in the top flight.

But anger reached tipping point earlier this month when it was announced that standard matchday tickets for the upcoming match against Manchester United were on sale to members for £77 in the Hammersmith End, £106 in the Johnny Haynes Stand and £160 in the new Riverside Stand – making them the most expensive of any club in the Premier League.

Unlike many clubs, Fulham do not categorise home fixtures, with ticket prices instead decided on a game-by-game basis.

Such is the discontent over the rises, the Fulham Supporters Trust have organised a protest ahead of the 12.30pm televised United game on November 4, when fans will march to Craven Cottage from Bishops Park to voice their objections.

Yellow cards will also be distributed before the game to be held up in the 18th minute to represent the latest increase.

FST chair Simon Duke fears future generations will no longer be able to afford to watch Fulham if the price rises continue, with a family of four now having to pay between £172 and £212 to sit behind the goal at the Hammersmith End.

“What we want to make clear, this is not a protest against the owners,” Duke said.

“The Khan family are not greedy owners and do not take anything out of the club. They have covered the losses and put in an awful lot of money since they bought Fulham 10 years ago.

“They have always maintained that they are merely the custodians of the club, but this feels like they are going against that.

“We as the Trust fear that future generations will be lost in favour of short-term fans who are prepared to pay big money for a big Premier League game and never come back.

“When a club goes up to the Premier League you know season ticket prices will go up, and we were broadly accepting of an eight to 10% rise.

“But an 18% increase means that a family of four Fulham-supporting generations I know are having to give up their season tickets because they simply cannot afford it.

“Fulham have always been a family club. I first came in 1962 and was hooked and I fear that younger fans will be lost simply because of the prices the club wants to charge.”

Duke admits he is unsure if the protest will have any effect on Fulham’s decision makers, but believes it is important that they understand the risk they are taking with the future of the club.

“We’re not looking for the owners to commit more money, but we would like the senior management to overhaul the business model so responsibility for any shortfall isn’t targeted at those who can least afford it,” he said.

“At the moment things are going well on the pitch, but being Fulham in all probability we will be relegated again at some point.

“So it’s important to have fans who genuinely love the club, not just ones who pick and choose what Premier League games to attend then disappear.

“We are Fulham fans, so it will be a peaceful protest, but one that is very important.”

Members of various Fulham supporters groups will gather from 11am on Saturday, November 4, at the Tea House in Bishops Park leaving for Craven Cottage at 11.30am.