Liverpool fans must pay to join ticket waiting list

Jul 2 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

ANGRY fans last night criticised Liverpool FC after it was revealed those wishing to join the long waiting list for season tickets at the club would now have to pay for the privilege.

Only those joining the club’s new membership scheme at a cost of £29 every year will be allowed on the list.

Fan forums on the internet were full of angry reaction forcing the club to stress that the thousands of fans already on the waiting list will not have to pay.

Liverpool FC is however reviewing the whole issue of the waiting list in light of the new stadium being prepared in Stanley Park.

The new membership scheme, which replaces the Official Liverpool Supporters Club (OLSC), was advertised on club website liverpoolfc.tv as offering a “whole host of exciting new benefits for supporters”.

This includes discounts at club stores and access to a new scheme where season ticketholders can sell their seats to other fans when they are unable to attend games.

But fans took issue with a paragraph which said “Coming soon – opportunity to join the Season Ticket Waiting List.

“As a member you are entitled to a position on the waiting list for season tickets at Liverpool Football Club.

“You will receive a season ticket waiting list certificate which will contain your unique waiting list reference number and regular updates as to your position on the list. There is no fee for the waiting list but you must be an up to date member and remain a member to maintain your position on the waiting list.”

After the criticism, the full paragraph was later retracted and now only reads “Coming soon -– opportunity to join the Season Ticket Waiting List.”

One fan wrote: “This is dis-gusting.You are paying £29 to be on the season ticket wait-ing list just to have a chance of a ticket. What about fami-lies? £100 before you even get a sniff of a game?”

Another added: “I've been on the waiting list since 1997 – I suppose that doesn't count for anything then.”

Ian Latta, 37, from St Helens, said: “People are real-ly upset. I’ve been on the waiting list for 10 years. It’s basically a tax on hope.”

LFC last night reassured existing fans on the season ticket waiting list they would not have to join the scheme to keep their place.

A club statement said: “Everyone on the waiting list will retain their position. As part of moving to a new stad-ium, we are reviewing the season ticket waiting list.

“We intend to contact every-one on the waiting list once these plans have been finalised. This scheme does not replace the existing one for current Fancard holders, fans will not need to join the membership to get tickets.”

James McKenna, spokes-person for Spirit of Shankly, said LFC were taking advan-tage of loyal supporters.

He said: “Fans may not lose their place on the waiting list but do they get all the benefits without paying the fee, no. I’ve been on the waiting list for years, no-one knows where they are on the list so how can new members be kept up-to-date of their position.”