Ex-Manchester City player and England international, Esme Morgan, has called out her old employers regarding recent updates to season ticket restrictions.
The former Man City defender, now playing for Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League, took to social media in defence of other season ticket holders who are now facing more stringent measures when it comes to attending fixtures and ultimately keeping their tickets.
In the simplest terms, season ticket holders must now personally attend at least 10 out of the 19 Premier League games, while a further six must be forwarded or sold back to the club. Other updates have also been confirmed.
While the club insist the goal is to increase attendances and reduce no-shows, as well as offer those who aren’t there week in, week out a better chance of purchasing a ticket, supporters like Morgan herself argue that the new impending policy is unfair and hasn’t been fully “thought through.”
🙋🏼♀️ I've had a season ticket, sitting alongside my family for 20 years, since 4yo. I'm a former @ManCity player, but I'm currently playing in the US and so cannot personally attend many games. My ticket is used every single game via transfer or exchange and when I'm home, I use it https://t.co/uSQQ4qhV6x
— Esme Morgan (@_esmemorgan) April 18, 2025
The 24-year-old Sheffield-born centre back was responding to a City journalist, Joe Bray, who was polling the public opinion on the incoming changes in the immediate aftermath of their announcement, with a “clear frustration” being noted among the majority.
Morgan came through the academy system and spent seven years at the Etihad Campus before leaving the club for the US last summer.
However, as she explained in her post, which served as a further rallying cry among fellow fans, not only does she still have a season ticket, but her family and friends make full use of it throughout the domestic campaign whilst she competes over in America.
A feature of Man City’s own website – simply entitled, ‘Esme Morgan: Blue blood’ – not only describes her as a “blue through and through” but details how she’s had a season ticket at the club since she was just 3, so it seems that confounding that the updates to the ticket policy would see her have to give it up.
She goes on to add: “Loyal fans shouldn’t be punished for circumstances which mean they are currently unable to attend games, when they may be able to in future. Especially if they make efforts to ensure their seat is not left empty! What happens in cases of illness, studying/living abroad etc?”
Don't think this idea has been thought through especially well! Any revision would be appreciated please! @ManCity @ManCityHelp
— Esme Morgan (@_esmemorgan) April 18, 2025
As you can see, the lifelong Blue has now urged the club to revisit their plans for season ticket renewals and eligibility processes.
Whether or not her profile as a professional footballer, former City player and women’s team academy product will help her protests make more of a splash, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Nevertheless, it shouldn’t take people who have a profile within the game shouting loud enough for the average supporters’ valid grievances to be heard.
Are you a City fan, and if so, what do you make of the new season ticket stipulations? More precisely, do you agree with Esme Morgan?
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Featured Images — Katie Chan (via Wikimedia Commons)/James Boyes (via Flickr)