So those old romantics whoâve followed QPR since the likes of Stan Bowles and Don Givens weaved their magic had a fortnight to bask in their belief that the good old days were back... ...and then they got smacked in the face with a season-ticket renewal form which told them that modern football is just a cold, corporate con and that their unwavering loyalty isnât required unless they can back it up with cash. A 57% real-term rise in season-ticket prices and match-day entrance fees hiked as high as £72, show precisely why the rich, non-football-loving owners were attracted to Loftus Road. To get richer. With an average gate of 15,600 at a 19,100-seater stadium in affluent West London, they spotted an opportunity to turn a great old club into a âboutiqueâ attraction - selling packages to firms, tourists, the nouveau-riche and bandwagon jumpers to watch some of the best teams in the world. The doubling of season-ticket prices merely weeds out the QPR regulars who don't have the financial power to keep up, releasing precious extra seats for the new match-day clientele they intend to draw to into their boutique experience. Sadly, I now hope they get relegated. If only to prove that money-men donât know their Râs from their elbow. *** ... http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/....-Way-Is-Ethics-
Technically the capacity was 19148 (I think) before the inclusion of the C club and all that bollocks but even then that included the very top corners of the away end that were never allowed to be used. I think even when it was at its most rammed we got about 18500 which has been reduced further in the last few years.
"If only to prove that money-men don’t know their R’s from their elbow" I never thought i would ever agree with a Mirror Journalist, but he does some up Flav and Eccy accurately
Great strategy that: LR becomes an intimate window where tourists get to see the prem's big hitters up close and personal. But there's not much in the West Broms, Wigans, Sunderlands (no disrespect) to bring the tourists running on a wet November afternoon. Short sighted despite Eccles' and Bluebottle's specs . Think this shows the difference in visions on the 'Board'. The Mittals see the point in keeping the real fan base onside, the stadium full every week and the club's reputation intact. Puts a fresh perspective on Amit Bhatia's resignation letter.
