Lurgan Blues' fans kicking off about a leap in ticket prices for away game against the Wee Reds in Portadown
Glenavon FC fans are kicking off about a leap in ticket prices for their away game against the Wee Reds in Portadown.
Fans believe the £15 cost to get into Shamrock Park for the game on September 1 is too high compared to £10 at other Mid Ulster Cup matches.
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In an online statement Spirit of 2014 Glenavon Supporters Club said: “The Spirit of 2014 will not be attending tonight’s Mid-Ulster Cup fixture against Portadown as a supporters club.
"We understand that adult admission for tonight’s game has been set at £15... the highest price we can recall for this competition.
"For comparison, adult admission for other first round fixtures taking place tonight, including Loughgall v Banbridge Rangers and Dungannon Swifts v Dollingstown, is just £10.
"We find it extremely difficult to understand or justify why Glenavon supporters are being asked to pay 50% more to attend a fixture in the same round of the same competition.
"Let’s be realistic about what the Mid-Ulster Cup is. For many clubs, these fixtures provide an opportunity for squad rotation, minutes for fringe players and on occasion, the serving of player suspensions. It is not a competition that should command a £15 admission fee.
"Glenavon supporters travel in numbers. We have a loyal core support that follows the team throughout the season and this particular fixture traditionally attracts a strong travelling Glenavon crowd.
"Whether the £15 price has been determined by Portadown, the Mid-Ulster Football Association or through another arrangement, we believe Glenavon supporters are being taken advantage of.
"At a time when supporters are already paying for league games, travel and everything else associated with following their club, charging £15 for a first round Mid-Ulster Cup fixture is, in our view, simply unacceptable.
"We are not calling on anyone to boycott the game. Every member and Glenavon supporter is free to make their own decision about whether they wish to attend and support the team tonight.
"However, Spirit of 2014 cannot support this pricing and, as a supporters club, we will not be present.
"Supporters should not be treated as an easy source of additional revenue simply because they have a reputation for turning up. Enough is enough.”
Portadown FC was asked for comment but none was forthcoming at the time of publication.