TOTT OF THE KIT ‘RIP-OFF LEAGUE’

Clubs accused of prices own goal

SPURS finished second in the Premier League last season but they start the new campaign top of the fans’ shirt “rip-off” league.

Supporters must splash out £75 when buying tops from the club’s shop, complete with the name and number of their favourite player.

Yet the same adult shirts for the topflight clubs cost £54.99 on the high street, a difference of £20.

A Daily Mirror investigation h a s revealed Spurs followers are being charged £60 for a shirt and £15 for a player name and number, such as homegrown hero Harry Kane and his famous No 10.

But savvy shoppers can pick up an official jersey for a fraction of the club’s price at bargain store Sports

Direct. Football insiders explained that the clubs have their hands tied over commercial shirt deals while the high street retailers have the freedom to set their own prices. Champions Chelsea are hitting fans with a £73.95 price-tag for a name-and-number shirt while Manchester City and Manchester United are the third most expensive at £72.95. Campaigners have called on the clubs to play fair and slash prices. Justine Roberts, boss of parenting group Mumsnet which campaigns for affordable prices for children’s sports kits, insisted: “Our users have said overwhelmingly that they think kits are a rip-off. Top-flight clubs generate huge revenues – pricing more thoughtfully should certainly not be beyond them.”

And the Football Supporters’ Federation urged clubs to come clean about the shelf-life of expensive shirts. They want fans told in advance when they are going to be revamped.

A spokesman said: “We have argued for a use-by date on shirts so that fans know how long it will be before a new version is out.”

The Federation added: “Many fans do feel kits are expensive and they are changed too often.

“A fair solution might be for manufacturers and clubs to incorporate a sell-by date into the label.

“Then fans who buy a kit know exactly what they are getting and how long it will remain current.”

Burnley fans get the best value for money, paying £50 for a team shirt with all the trimmings.

Tottenham said no one from the club was able to comment.

Jones