Licensing Committee Slash Man U's ticket allocation

Liverpool FC and Everton FC slash Man United ticket allocations

THE number of away fans at Anfield and Goodison Park, when rivals Manchester United come to town, is set to be cut amid safety fears.

Members of the council’s licensing committee are due to vote next week on cutting United’s away allocations for this coming season and beyond.

The Old Trafford club have had allocations at Anfield cut before but this is believed to be the first time such a move has been taken for their games at Everton.

The Licensing Committee have been asked to adjudicate on the issue of ticketing after the Ground Safety advisory group, made up of council officials and the police, raised concerns about fans persistently standing and blocking aisles.

Everton kick off their Premier League season on Monday, August 20, against United, with the game having been moved to an 8pm start for TV.

If passed as expected, the council’s ruling will see around 200 less away fans in the Bullens Road Stand.

When United visit Anfield on Sunday, September 23, they will be given 1,965 tickets, down from an away following’s usual allocation of 3,015.

The report set to go to the council said: “In general, most away supporters who visit Everton either do not stand or do not stand in gangways; however, this is not the case for Manchester United.

“EFC played Manchester United on October 29, 2011. The away spectators had the usual allocation in the Upper and Lower tier of the Bullens Road Stand (approx 3,125).

“The Licensing Unit attended the game and noted that, in spite of the efforts of the Club, the gangway . . . in the Upper Tier (nearest the Park End Stand) was closed over by spectators standing in the gangway.

“In previous seasons some encroachment into the gangways here had occurred but it was minimal. This game saw an increase in that activity.”

Regarding Liverpool FC, the report said: “In general terms, whilst the issue of standing of away supporters (and home supporters at certain games) occurs on a regular basis by a number of teams, the issue of standing in gangways had remained limited to Manchester United; until the 2011/12 season.”

The report says Anfield saw similar problems last year when Manchester City visited.

Away numbers were slashed for United’s defeat at the hands of Liverpool in the FA Cup at Anfield last January because of the issue.

United responded by cutting Liverpool’s allocation for the Premier League game at Old Trafford two weeks later by a third.

The Reds were given just 2,100 tickets, rather than the normal 3,000-plus.


http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/07/16/liverpool-fc-and-everton-fc-slash-man-united-ticket-allocations-100252-31401382/#ixzz20llrr0m6

United responded by cutting Liverpool’s allocation for the Premier League game at Old Trafford two weeks later by a third.

Shower of cu*ts.

I've sat at the back of anny road lower last season against stoke and when the fans rise to stand up you can't see F**k all.
I can understand away fans frustration because our fans have the same problem, the stand is not good enough for our great club. it needs sorting out.
As regards them cutting our allocation, thats shows how pathetic they are and always will be.

Such a shame. Class bunch of supporters whose wit and banter will be badly missed when utd come to Anfield this season

Shower of cu*ts.

Scum by name, scum by nature.

I fully expect them to do the same this season. cu*ts.

Fans praise "positive" meeting with council officials

27th July 2012

Earlier this week FSF chair Malcolm Clarke joined Duncan Drasdo of Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) in a meeting with officials from Liverpool City Council regarding away ticket allocations. The council’s licensing committee has the power to drastically reduce the number of tickets available to travelling supporters at Anfield and Goodison Park.

Following Monday's meeting that does not look likely to happen.

Last season the Red Devils’ allocation at Anfield was cut by more than 1000 because of “migration” and blocking of gangways within the away end although there were very real reasons for this movement. Away fans will now receive a near full allocation and both Clarke and Drasdo praised the council’s willingness to listen and treat supporters as part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

“It was a really positive meeting, the council were very receptive and we hopefully helped shine a light on supporter issues that they might not otherwise have understood. They listened to our argument and were entirely reasonable,” said Drasdo.

“Many of the problems in earlier years stemmed from the fact that you cannot see the pitch from the back two rows of the away end at Anfield if people stand in front of you. It doesn’t even have to be caused by persistent standing either, if your team attacks and people stand then you can’t see. As a result people migrate into the aisles and gangways so they can see the action.”

To counter this the council has recommended that Liverpool FC either leave the back two rows empty or two seats at the end of each row empty. That decision will be at the club’s discretion for the match at Anfield on Sunday 23rd September.

Around 180-200 seats will be lost, an amount both the FSF and MUST recognise as acceptable and necessary to keep aisles, stairwells, and gangways clear. It is essential that fans keep these areas clear - and that any seats deliberately left empty, remain empty - if they wish to maintain the fuller ticket allocation in future seasons.

Around 26 fewer tickets will be made available to Red Devils fans for their trip to Goodison Park. Once again this relates to the blocking of access and exit points in the Upper Bullens Road End. Everton host Manchester United during the Premier League’s opening week on Monday 20th August.

FSF chair Malcolm Clarke said: “The whole tone of the meeting was fantastically positive and we appreciate them letting us attend. Not only did they invite us but they actually listened to what we had to say and came up with a sensible proposal. They see supporters as part of the solution, not part of the problem, and the reductions look likely to be quite small.”

Manchester United fans who wish to keep up-to-date on news surrounding ticket allocations should keep a close eye on Redsaway. Site editor Dale Haslam has covered this issue at length, with great tenacity, and was instrumental in this process. He is a great advocate of total transparency from councils and clubs on this issue.

http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/Fans-praise-positive-meeting-with-Liverpool-Council-officials.php

After seeing them Boo Luis and Bellamy they showed their class or lack of it.
Be careful though sanitizing football grounds may well work against our own wonderful travelling fans.

Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST)

MUST is an appropriate name, isn't it?