FOOTBALL:Premier League tickets continue to rise

A BBC study into the cost of attending football matches across the four divisions in England has shown that prices have fallen 2.4% year-on-year. But the Premier League saw a 4.3% rise in the average price of the cheapest season tickets.

The good news for supporters comes on the back of several years of steep rises. In 2012-13 the average price of the cheapest tickets rose by 11% but a 5% fall in attendances has led to a review by many clubs.

"It's good news for fans but it does come after a long period of incremental rises year on year," sports minister Hugh Robertson told the BBC. "The key thing is that it is replicated in years to come. I think clubs are beginning to understand what fans are going through and to adjust their prices accordingly."

The cost of football

• The most expensive ticket is again at Arsenal … a category A adult match-day ticket can cost up to £126. Their cheapest ticket is £26
  
  The cheapest adult season ticket in the Premier League is £299 at Manchester City. The most expensive is £1,955 at Arsenal
  
  The cheapest adult match-day ticket in England and Scotland is £7 at Albion Rovers
  
  The most expensive pies are at Crystal Palace and Kidderminster, with both charging £4
  
  The most expensive cup of tea is £2.50 at Old Trafford. Manchester City have dropped their price to £1.80 from £2.50

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan told the BBC it was hard to put up prices in the current economic climate. "Money is so tight and our area is running at 8 to 9% unemployed and it's impossible to ask anyone to pay any more to watch football."

The Premier League increases were attacked by Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation. "It'is disappointing that the average price of the cheapest season ticket has still gone up despite the extra income and despite the very difficult economic circumstances many supporters are in.

"There is plenty of scope to do much more than they have already done. If all that happens is that most of that money is being used to go into players and agents, then there is a danger that there will be a real kickback from fans."