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Premier League launches Away Fans’ Fund

GetAttachment.aspx [1]FSF NEWS: TWENTY’S PLENTY MAKES ITS MARK AS PREMIER LEAGUE LAUNCHES AWAY FANS FUND

The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) is the democratic organisation representing the rights of fans in England and Wales. The FSF campaigns across a whole range of issues including safe standing and ticket prices. Find out more about its Away Fans Matter/Twenty’s Plenty campaigns below…

The Premier League’s announcement that clubs have set aside a pot of £12m over the next three seasons to make games more affordable for away fans is a welcome one. The Away Fans’ Fund equates to £200,000 per club, per season. Scroll down to see what your club’s spending it on.

It’s good news for top-flight fans and we believe it’s a direct response to our Away Fans Matter [2] campaign (which includes the Twenty’s Plenty for Away Tickets petition [3]) and direct action from supporters at many clubs.

Since its launch in January 2013 Twenty’s Plenty has become a rallying cry for fans and 20,000+ emails have now been sent by fans to clubs (and the authorities) outlining their support for the campaign.

Twenty’s Plenty’s primary aim is to persuade “football clubs at all levels of the game to recognise and reward the amazing contribution of away fans by getting together to agree an across the board price cap on away match tickets of £20 (£15 for concessions)”.

Beating heart

Away fans are the beating heart of football, bringing noise, colour and atmosphere to grounds across the country. Without that vibrancy would football be as appealing a product for TV?

We don’t think so, and it seems Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore has come to the same conclusion. Those £5.5bn+ media deals would take a tumble if stands were empty, that’s for sure.

“In the past five years we’ve seen a 10 per cent decline in away attendance,” said Scudamore. “In the past six months we’ve put a lot of effort into what can be done for away attendance. One of our unique selling points is the away attendance because it creates the tension, the passion, the show.”

While a maximum of £20 for away tickets is the ultimate target we’re pleased to see that the campaign’s having an impact – away games are now more affordable for some fans.

This isn’t a magic bullet – for a start those outside the Premier League obviously don’t benefit – but it shows that clubs can be persuaded to listen to fans. It’s a step in the right direction, although there’s more work to be done.

Premier League Away Fans’ Fund offers:

At present, not all offers are known and we’ve yet to hear confirmation from Everton, Hull City, Manchester City, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United. If you know of any Away Fans’ Fund offers we’ve missed please email tickets@fsf.org.uk [18].

Find out more about Away Fans Matter: www.fsf.org.uk/tickets [19]

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