Latest news with #TradeUnionBlues
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Manchester City fan 'would be devastated to lose season ticket'
A lifelong Manchester City fan said she would be "devastated" to lose her season ticket due to changes being introduced by the football August, season tickets must be used for at least 16 of City's 19 Premier League home games. The ticket holder must attend 10 or more of these fixtures in Powell, from Todmorden in West Yorkshire, is backing a campaign by supporters' group Trade Union Blues to have the policy scrapped.A Manchester City spokesperson said the club would work with fans to come up with appropriate adjustments, adding that supporters could apply for an exemption. Trade Union Blues has written to the club via law firm Leigh Day, arguing the policy could be seen as discriminatory and has requested a meeting with club Powell said she could have lost her season ticket had the new policy been introduced when she was pregnant last year. She said she was also worried about the forthcoming season, given that her husband is a shift worker and they have a young baby."I just don't think [the policy] fits in the modern world," said Mrs Powell, who has had a season ticket at Etihad Stadium for 12 years."At any point during a weekend, a game could be moved and you're expected to be able to bend to that."People on shift work, people who are carers, people who can't drop plans at the drop of a hat... we're the ones that feel like we're being punished by the club."She spoke of how important supporting City was to her."When everything's crazy, when everything's changing around you, even becoming a mother, it's that one thing I know - I can go to the game, I can see my mates, watch some football," she said. "It shouldn't be this hard and it feels like [the club is] pushing us further and further away." Trade Union Blues argued Manchester City's new policy would penalise supporters who could not attend matches because of protected characteristics such as being disabled, pregnant or claimed this would potentially be in breach of the 2010 Equality Act. Additionally, the group said the move would be unfair on those who have caring responsibilities, religious or cultural obligations, or who work shifts. A Manchester City spokesperson said: "We understand some supporters may find it difficult to attend 10 matches in person."We encourage everyone to see how things go for the first few months of the next season, but if you find yourself missing matches or facing challenging circumstances, the access team are on hand to help."They will work with you to try to come up with adjustments."You can also apply an exemption where necessary." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Fans urge 'scrapping' of season ticket policy changes
A group of Manchester City fans believe a new season ticket policy is in breach of the Equality Act rules are being introduced about how many games season ticket-holders must attend in person, but Trade Union Blues are arguing they negatively affect people who have caring duties, disabilities or who do shift season, City season ticket-holders had to ensure their ticket was used for 14 out of 19 games. This will increase to 16 out of 19 for the upcoming if fans were unable to attend, they could pass their ticket to a friend or list their seat on the Manchester City website. The change means supporters must attend a minimum of 10 games and this is controlled by a mobile ticket which cannot be transferred to anyone other than the season Neville, from Trade Union Blues, told BBC Radio Manchester: "There are a lot of people who will be affected by this. Newly pregnant women, or women who have just given birth, is just one example of people who will struggle to abide by these rules. We have instructed lawyers to send a legal letter to the club outlining why we believe it is a breach of the Equality Act 2010."We are not aware of any other clubs who impose these restrictions. Others may have a minimum usage policy, but not a minimum attendance policy which means you have to attend the game yourself."We are asking them to consult with us and to consider scrapping this policy."Manchester City released a statement on the issue: "We understand some supporters may find it difficult to attend 10 matches in person."We encourage everyone to see how things go for the first few months of the next season, but if you find yourself missing matches or facing challenging circumstances, the access team are on hand to help."They will work with you to try to come up with adjustments. You can also apply an exemption where necessary."On Friday, Manchester City also announced a significant reduction in ticket prices with some decreasing by as much as 43%.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
City fans' groups welcome ticket price cut
Manchester City's ticket pricing for the 2025-26 campaign has been welcomed by fans' groups who campaigned against the club last season. Instead of rises that had been feared by supporters, City have said the price of the lowest-priced tickets will be reduced. Advertisement While the actual prices will differ depending on the category of the game, an adult ticket for the lowest category of matches will range between £30 and £50. For the highest category, it will be between £40 and £60. Junior members tickets will be available for between £15 and £30. City say for the Manchester derby or equivalent fixture, the lowest-priced adult tickets have been reduced by 43%, while the highest-priced tickets by 22%. "This is a big step in the right direction by the club and a vindication of the collective action so many blues took last season," said the Trade Union Blues group. "We welcome the reduction in matchday ticket prices," said the Weare1894 group. "A definite step in the right direction and proof that all fans can make a difference." Advertisement In his interview with club media last month, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said he was "not OK" with how the ticket situation had played out and the rancour it had caused. In addition, following representation from the City Matters fans' group, the club has pledged that "under no circumstances" will the price of a ticket for Premier League game increase if it has been moved because of a clash with a cup tie.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
City fans' groups welcome ticket price cut
Manchester City's ticket pricing for the 2025-26 campaign has been welcomed by fans' groups who campaigned against the club last of rises that had been feared by supporters, City have said the price of the lowest-priced tickets will be the actual prices will differ depending on the category of the game, an adult ticket for the lowest category of matches will range between £30 and £50. For the highest category, it will be between £40 and £60. Junior members tickets will be available for between £15 and £ say for the Manchester derby or equivalent fixture, the lowest-priced adult tickets have been reduced by 43%, while the highest-priced tickets by 22%."This is a big step in the right direction by the club and a vindication of the collective action so many blues took last season," said the Trade Union Blues group."We welcome the reduction in matchday ticket prices," said the Weare1894 group. "A definite step in the right direction and proof that all fans can make a difference."In his interview with club media last month, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said he was "not OK" with how the ticket situation had played out and the rancour it had addition, following representation from the City Matters fans' group, the club has pledged that "under no circumstances" will the price of a ticket for Premier League game increase if it has been moved because of a clash with a cup tie.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Manchester City fans take legal action against club over season-ticket policy
Manchester City supporters have taken legal action against the club over what they describe as a discriminatory new season-ticket policy. The protest relates to a system that requires fans to attend at least 10 league matches if they are to retain their ticket for the following season. A group of fans known as the Trade Union Blues, whose members are union members, have engaged the law firm Leigh Day to ask the club to review the policy, arguing that the requirement 'potentially gives rise to claims under the Equality Act of 2010'. Advertisement Related: Beyond the apathy: the Manchester City and Chelsea fans off to the Club World Cup The secretary of Trade Union Blues, Chris Neville, said: 'This policy doesn't reward loyalty – it punishes people for being human. Illness, pregnancy, disability, caring responsibilities or working shifts [could] now cost you your season ticket. Many of our members have followed City through thick and thin and now face exclusion because of inflexible criteria that takes no account of individual circumstances.' The policy was announced by City last month, after season-ticket prices were frozen following consultation with the club's elected fan advisory board, City Matters. It increased the obligatory number of home league matches a season-ticket holder must attend from 14 to 16, but also mandated that only six of those games could be shared with friends or handed back to the club for resale. City believe that ticket utilisation is a growing issue for the club, having told City Matters in February that an average 8% of 37,000 season-ticket members do not attend a given Premier League game. Liverpool and Arsenal have mandatory attendance requirements for season-ticket holders, but neither cap the number of games that can be shared or resold. Arsenal exempt season-ticket holders with disabilities from the cap. Ryan Bradshaw, human rights partner at Leigh Day, said: 'The updated policy introduced by Manchester City applies a blanket requirement for personal attendance which significantly disadvantages a number of protected groups under the Equality Act. There is no indication that any meaningful mitigation procedures are in place. It disadvantages those working-class fans who are required to work shift patterns or precariously and may be unable to attend games for fear of losing their jobs.' City did not respond to a request for comment.
