Stockport County have issued a statement confirming that they will be lowering their ticket prices ahead of next season after a raft of complaints from fans.
Following their promotion back to the EFL, recent refurbishment to the stadium and the “rising costs” across the board over the past couple of seasons, County saw fit to increase matchday prices ahead of the new campaign whilst still hoping to “minimise the price rises for season ticket holders.”
As a result, the club decided to raise the standard walk-up prices for adult tickets from £20 to £22 — not a huge bump, to be fair but every penny counts; however, when it came to the most in-demand fixtures, prices were increased to between £25 and £27.
Unsurprisingly, with the current cost of living crisis affecting everyone, many fans described the hike as everything from “laughable” and “outrageous” to “pricing the average fan out of [going to games]“. Issuing a response to the backlash, the Greater Manchester side are now course-correcting.
As the Hatters’ statement reads: “Our season ticket holders are very important to us and are an integral part of the club, so we believed their loyalty should be prioritised where possible. We also appreciate not everyone is in a position to afford a full season ticket and we wish to remain accessible to all supporters.
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“We have listened to fans’ feedback and on reflection, this increase for these high-demand fixtures was too high and, as a result, we’ve made some changes to the prices and structure…
“It’s always difficult balancing rising costs, affordability for supporters and our mission to make the club long-term financially sustainable.”
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Sharing their newly revised matchday prices, here’s how much it will now cost to go and watch a Stockport County game:
Adult season tickets are £435 or £405 for existing members renewing (Credit: Stockport County)
Parting on a message recognising supporters’ patience, the club ended their statement by saying, “We won’t always get it right but we’re a club that listens to fans and we can’t wait to have you back at Edgeley Park next season. Thanks for your ongoing support.”
Many fans understand the club’s ambitions and desire to climb further back up the pyramid, only narrowly missing out on back-to-back promotions into League One at the of this past season, but the consensus seemed to be that the initial figures were simply unreasonable for tier four football.
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While the majority are still very much of the long-standing opinion, “twenty’s plenty”, it’s good to see the club engaging with their supporters so directly, swiftly and honestly.
In contrast, at the top end of English football, some fans are even struggling to get a spare ticket off their mate…
Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
22nd June 2023 
