Sport

Stockport County promise to lower ticket prices after fans complain of ‘outrageous’ hike

'£20 a game should be the limit for any club in this league.'

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 22nd June 2023

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.

Stockport County have agreed to lower ticket prices following negative reaction from fans.
But some fans still aren’t happy with the increase.
This one of many similar replies.

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:

Stockport County lower ticket prices
Adult season tickets are £435 or £405 for existing members renewing (Credit: Stockport County)

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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 United’s new ‘forwarding membership’ has left fans utterly incensed

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Stockport County (via Twitter)

Sport

Where to watch Tyson Fury vs Oleskandr Usyk 2 in Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones Where to watch Tyson Fury vs Usyk 2 fight in Manchester

Tyson Fury vs Usyk 2: ‘Undisputed’ is nearly upon us with the two contenders fighting to become unified heavyweight champion, and as the biggest fight of the year (at least since the last one), you might rightly be wondering where in Manchester is best to watch it.

With a homegrown albeit controversial talent on one side in Fury and a no-nonsense, not to mention undefeated Ukrainian on the other, there’ll be Mancs cheering for both sides but regardless of who you want to win, we can assure you town is going to be absolutely rammed with fight fans.

That being said, much like getting in the ring itself, you’re best having a game plan if you haven’t already sorted out where you’re going to watch the Fury vs Usyk rematch.

Now, you’re going to want to bank on big rooms with plenty of space for those coming last minute; don’t worry, we’ve got a few ideas and they’re decently spaced out in terms of area too.

Where to watch the Fury vs Usyk 2 fight in Manchester city centre

1. Tank and Paddle – Printworks

tank and paddle printworks manchester
places to watch fury vs usyk in manchester
tank and paddle printworks
Spread across too large floors, it still has all the appeal of the old place and more. (Credit: The Manc Eats)

First up on the list is the newest addition to the Printworks entertainment complex: Tank and Paddle, which has taken over the old Yates site. Specialising in craft beers, cocktails, big pizzas and big screens for live sport, if you used to head here for the boxing before you have even more reason to now.

2. BOX – Deansgate

Next up is arguably the current king of Manchester’s live sports bar scene. Famous for great food, live music, shuffleboard, big steins of beer and even pornstar martinis (yes, whole pitchers of the stuff), as well as its giant jumbotron screen, it’s literally impossible for you to miss a single punch thrown here.

3. Brotherhood – Central

ln at number three is what we refer to as old faithful but, to repeat its true title, is The Brotherhood of Pastimes and Pursuits. We never ever say that name in full but we what do on a regular basis is head here after work, as well as pre and post-matchday to watch the rest of the action and play some games whilst we’re at it. It will be heaving for the fight but if you can book or get there early, you’ll have a ball.

fury vs usyk rematch
is brotherhood showing fury vs usyk 2?
Credit: The Brotherhood (via Facebook)

4. Roxy Ball Room – Manchester Arndale/Deansgate

Speaking of reliable after work and weekend haunts, they don’t get more tried and tested than Roxy Ball Room as we simply like to call her, our lovely lady Roxy. Shuffleboard, bowling, darts, pool, table tennis, basketball machines, beer pong, curling – oh yeah, and you can look up to watch the boxing if you want…

5. Mother Mary’s – Oxford Road Corridor

Fifth and finally, Mother Mary’s is the unsung hero of our list. It’s fast becoming one of our favourite places to watch sport anywhere in town. It’s popped over on New Wakefield St where Manc institution The Font used to be and it won’t stay the city centre’s best kept secret for long, so make sure you grab a table, one the cheapest pints of Guinness around and a seat in front of the big screens whilst you can.

Honourable mention…

Shooters/Bierkeller

Last but not least, we had to throw another suggestion (or two in there) because besides Tank and Paddle in Printworks, there also happens to be the legendary Bierkeller beer hall and the American sports and gaming bar attached it, Shooters, both of which will promise a great crowd for this title fight.

If all else has truly failed, O’Neill’s and Walkabout are just around the corner too – you’ve got to get in somewhere and you really don’t want to miss this clash.

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If you were still wondering where to watch to watch the Fury vs Usyk rematch in central Manchester this Saturday, that handful of suggestions should just about do you in a pinch, just keep in mind that the earlier the better when it comes to events like this.

The two boxers are expect to begin their ring walks at around 10:25pm UK time, so you should have plenty of time to find a good spot to watch the carnage.

Fury has already weighed in more than four stone heavier than Usyk in a bid to get his revenge for the first fight, so god only knows how much of a slug-fest this is going to be.

Judging by that seemingly endless face-off, it looks as though there’s plenty of bad blood going into this. Question is, who are you backing?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube) BOX (via Instagram)

Sport

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk separated during face-off after recording-breaking stare-down

Danny Jones Danny Jones Fury v Usyk 2 11-minute face-off

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk managed to break a new record before the fight had even started during their face-off on Thursday as they engaged in an extremely intense stare-down – the longest in boxing history.

Fury vs Usyk 2 takes place this weekend, with both excitement and now tension around the eagerly-awaited rematch boiling over as the two fighters locked into respective thousand-yard stares as they met on stage in Riyadh ahead of their rematch.

The pre-fight press and build-up had felt a little quiet and understated up until the last couple of weeks but with the two division-conquering heavyweights now set for what looks to be a real battle and an actually believable feud, the anticipation and stakes have never felt higher.

Fury will have to wait until Saturday to get his second shot at beating the Ukrainian but it’s clear that both their heads are very much already in the ring as the pair ultimately had to be pulled apart after an extremely intense and, frankly, awkward 11-minute stare-down.

As you can see, the situation was an unprecedented one and neither Fury nor Usyk seemed willing to flinch or concede even a little bit of ground to the other, resulting in the longest face-off professional boxing has ever seen. It could have gone on longer by the looks of things…

More than 10 minutes passed before either party said a word to each other and it took various members of security, the promoters, Fury’s entourage and Usyk‘s to edge the two away from each other as the Wythenshawe-born boxer eventually appeared to lose his cool.

In addition to trading countless threats and insults as per, the Manc fighter looked visibly red-faced and began perspiring profusely as he became more mobile and agitated; in contrast, his Ukrainian counterpart barely moved an inch from the same spot.

Perhaps the most jarring aspect of the hot-blooded affair was the general pageantry and ceremonial stuff going on around them, as tonnes of Saudi locals danced, got up on tables and played music around them as the face-off came to its conclusion.

However, it was the scenes picked up by cameras as the two were finally separated that many fight fans think have proved most telling, as the 36-year-old launched into a torrent of verbal abuse and expletives after the fact. As they see it, Fury’s ‘meltdown’ shows he’s already lost the first round:

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Usyk didn’t get to enjoy his unified title for very long after beating Tyson the first time around but judging by the level of composure on display, he might already have a leg up in the rematch too.

‘The Gypsy King’ has also been criticised once again for his conduct during the aftermath for homophobic, discriminatory and generally offensive remarks (something he’s come under fire for in the past) though he is yet to address the accusations and is unlikely to with just less than 24 hours before the bell rings.

Fury claims he hasn’t spoken to his wife in three months amidst his busy schedule and strict training camp rules for this fight – another comment he received some flak for online. Whether or not isolating himself has helped his chance, only time will tell.

If you happen to have free time on your hands and nothing better to do, you can watch the whole 11 minutes and change stare-off between Fury and Usyk down below. Better still, give us your predictions: who do you think is going to win this one?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — DAZN/TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

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