Cod Almighty | Diary

Oops we did it again!

31 May 2022

Trentside Diary writes: Where do I start on the last 24 hours? It really has been that bad.

None of us, and in that I include all the fans of teams with a realistic possibility of being there, were happy when the stadium was announced, long before the play-offs had been finalised. The clowns of the National League said it was the ideal stadium. Do they care that Solihull Moors were the southernmost team still likely to be there? Of course they don't. Jubilee weekend, possible public transport strike already announced? Of course they don't.

I signed on to get my tickets yesterday and for some reason most of the lower tier was greyed out. Strange but OK, I'll go where I can. They might be released at 4pm when they go on general sale, a few suggested. Turns out that was wishful thinking: they have been removed for a monster truck show.

Oh dear lord. Greedy, grabbing gits. "Yes of course we have the ideal stadium for you... you won't need all the seats will you? No that’s fine, we’ll just have to remove a few behind the goals before your game." And Scamarama were happy to go with this. How little they understand football fans.

Then we get into the prices. There were times when my oldest boy was small when we could just about afford home games for two adults and two kids, but only just. I've always been a Town fan and have infected them. It's how it should be. When we get together as a family - uncles and cousins included sometimes too - Town are always one of the main topics of conversation. People should be able to afford to take their kids. To have so few concession tickets available initially is basically Scamarama saying they don't want kids there. Well done to Town for taking this up. It might have been an error but given their disregard for fans, probably not.

I won't go through all the figures with add-ons, you will know them as well as I do. There have been a few Tweets along the lines "If you want to move up the leagues, you should get used to those prices". My only thought is the people saying it are either not football fans or they are just dickheads, probably both. When tickets are more than for the play-off finals for the leagues above, you know Scamarama are ripping us off. Apparently to go to watch Wales play either Scotland or Ukraine in their World Cup play-off for an adult and two kids would cost between £40-£50. No wonder they have sold out.

We've done it again! It makes me very proud that football fans from Town and other clubs (especially Wrexham - ed) have chipped in to ensure that others can go. A little bit of me is saddened that we have had to do it. We're bloody good at this sort of thing though aren't we, Town fans? I daren't say how much has been raised because it will be out of date as soon as it's published.

It is fans sticking together, trying to take a bad thing and make it a bit better. I hope that the supporters' associations across the country start a proper debate on this. We've got a bit of momentum now so let's keep the conversation going.

I'm going to be increasingly rubbish at everything this week, the nerves have kicked in already so I'll see you on the other side. UTM!