UNDERVALUED

Admission prices too high for what we are offered, say fans Most supporters believe sectarianism is still a big problem

CONTINUING concerns about value for money and the impact of sectarianism have been highlighted in a survey of 13,000 Scottish football fans.

Ticket pricing and kick-off times remain the two most influential factors in whether supporters attend games, according to the results of a questionnaire issued by Supporters Direct Scotland.

A majority of respondents — 56 per cent — felt the admission prices for games was either ‘very poor’ or ‘poor’ value for money. That figure is, however, down by 14 per cent on the previous year’s survey. Just over half — 51 per cent — don’t believe that Scottish football offers a high quality product.

The ‘affordability of football’ was considered to be the biggest risk to the future of the Scottish game over the next five years, with clubs being challenged to think about how they can improve value for money in ticket pricing.

The survey — which also addressed fan behaviour and the wider matchday experience — was conducted in partnership with the SFA and SPFL. The results will be put before the former body’s Professional Game Board and distributed to the 42 senior clubs.

‘What we are seeing now is a really clear demand from supporters to see greater value for money around football,’ said Andrew Jenkin, head of Supporters Direct Scotland.

‘Supporters Direct Scotland appreciates the extremely challenging balance that our clubs face — and we want to support them.

‘Addressing value for money might include looking at more pricing variation and ways of delivering added value. Attendances are by and large an improving picture but it’s absolutely critical we future-proof Scottish football by being on the front foot.

‘Once again, supporters also tell us they want to be engaged by their clubs. The relationship a supporter has with a club has a direct impact on their decision to attend games or spend money. That means there is a role for clubs to think really carefully about how they reflect the values of their club, not the other way around.’

More than 50 per cent of fans said they had been subjected to sectarianism in or around a stadium, while a similar percentage believe it represents a very serious issue to the game.

A large majority of fans — 71 per cent — are opposed to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, believing it has not been effective in combating problems. ‘Supporter experience is not rated highly, and part of that is dictated to by fan behaviour,’ added Jenkin.

‘Supporters continue to tell us there is a problem and now there’s a real moving sense that the Offensive Behaviour Act, for its broad promises, has delivered little.

‘So we have a problem, but not the sort of solution that is necessary. In order to positively influence the future agenda here, we are asking the SPFL and the Scottish FA to work with us to deliver a supporter-led event on how we can bring about a change in culture needed to ensure that our grounds are bouncing with enthusiasm, but not unnecessarily aggressive.’

In terms of football policing itself, a majority of fans — 52 per cent — said they were against or unsure about introducing strict liability.

‘This is an important survey for us and we use the findings to help us understand the issues affecting Scottish football and to review and measure fans’ attitudes from year to year,’ said SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.

‘Tackling unacceptable conduct also remains at the forefront of our minds and, earlier this year, we strengthened our guidance to our members with the clubs now accepting more responsibility in Scottish Cup matches to investigate and impose sanctions on those who have misbehaved at our games.’

SPFL counterpart Neil Doncaster added: ‘The SPFL recognises that value for money and ticket pricing are, and arguably always will be, top priorities for supporters while also acknowledging the considerable work clubs commit to in this area, which was an “ask” of last year’s survey.

‘Indeed, a 14-per-cent reduction in those who deem value for money as being poor or very poor is evidence that clubs are making some progress on this front.’

“There’s clear demand for greater value”