THE cost of being a dedicated football supporter has put one in five fans in the red, new research has found.
Arsenal fans are the most in debt, with each owing an average of £1,284.
According to the research by Virgin Money, of those in debt, 20% owe between £1,000 and £2,500. The average owed is £682.
Season ticket holders are the worst hit, with 22% owing over £1,000.
According to the study, fans of the big four teams – Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea – need to borrow the most.
Spurs fans were the only supporters outside the big four to have average borrowings of more than £1,000.
When it came to football-related debt, West Ham and Aston Villa fans had the most unhealthy bank balances.
Of these, 27% claimed following their team had landed them in the red.
Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City were close behind with 26% of supporters claiming to be in debt because of their love for the game.
The cost of being a fan has risen by 15.1% year on year since January 2006, according to Virgin Money’s Football Fan Inflation Index.
Grant Bather, spokesman for Virgin Money, said: “Football fans can ill afford rising costs to follow their team, which explains why so many have borrowed to make ends meet. For many fans, supporting their club is non-negotiable so even in a recession they will find the money.”
