The Best Deal in Football?

On the 2nd of August 2011 the BBC Sport released a report on the cost of going to see live football across the Scottish Premier League and the four English leagues. They found that only 11 out of 104 clubs offered a day out for less than £20. One of the attractions to me of Junior Football in Scotland was the low cost and this survey made me want to look in more detail to see if junior fans are getting best value for money.

How do you measure value for money though? It is a vague term with many aspects. To measure value I need to set some criteria. BBS Sport’s Price of Football survey looked at prices of an adult league match ticket; programme; pie; and tea. This seems like a good place to start. There are criteria that are measured numerically (quantitative) and those that are based on opinion (subjective).

The quantitative criteria are:

• Entrance Fee – the cost of an adult league match ticket.
• Food – the cost of a pie (or equivalent savoury, pastry based snack if pie not available).
• Drink – as well as mid-game beverage such as tea, coffee or can of juice I will include the prospective pre-/post-game pint of lager.
• Programme – where one is available.
• Other Miscellaneous Items – for example half-time raffle tickets etc

The subjective criteria are:

• Entertainment value – could include the quality of the match, skill level of the players
• Comfort of facilities – takes in all surroundings when watching the game including stadium, toilets etc.

What is the “Price of Football” for the Juniors?

I can only use my own experience of pricing from going to games – in particular Adamslie and Holm Park - and I want to make it clear that these are by no means definitive list of costs across all Junior clubs. Some clubs may charge more, some less but I think these values will be fairly common across the Junior Level. (Although it would be very interesting to hear your own experiences of what you pay – use the comments sections below this article).

Item	Cost in £s
Entry fee	5.00
Programme	1.00
Pie	1.00
Drink	0.80
Half-time Raffle	1.00
IN-GAME COST	8.80
Pre-game Pint	2.50
TOTAL COST	11.30

Table 1 Average Costs at Adamslie Park/Holm Park

The total cost of our quantitative criteria (Table 1) for the day out is nearly a fiver less than the cheapest ticket price on offer by the SPL (£16.00 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle). According to BBC Sport’s survey ICT offer the cheapest day out at £21.90 which compared to my experience of a Junior Game (without pintage) is nearly 2 and half times more expensive. But is the football 2.5 times better?

Subjective criteria I set out earlier for this comparison is likely to divide opinion by its nature. With this in mind I will try to remain impartial.

Entertainment Value can be broken down into parts which combine to give the fan an overall level of satisfaction that her day has not been wasted and her time has been spent well. Of course this is down to personal taste – some fans love a goals-fest, others want to see a 22-man brawl whilst most simply want to see their own team playing well – preferably winning.

The skill level of players at the Junior Level must be lower than that of the SPL otherwise they’d be playing professionally. Some have personal/professional reasons they play at Junior level and there are examples of players making the step up but these are in the minority. But how big is the gap? Look at some of the recent performances in the Scottish Cup of Beith in 2010/11 or Irvine Meadow XI in 2009/10 season which suggest its closer than some people might like to believe.

Regardless of the skill level, two teams of evenly matched players pitted against each other cranks up the entertainment value – such is the beautiful essence of football. Last season one of the best games for entertainment I watched was Petershill draw at home to Kilbirnie Ladeside – two relegation threatened teams shared 4 goals between them to make me forget the heavy rain and ice-cold wind. It was a hundred times more entertaining than some of the games from 2010 World Cup – the pinnacle of player skill level.

Where the SPL obviously rules is in comfort stakes. The facilities of the top teams in Scotland will trump their Junior counterparts. Hardly surprising for the amount of investment that has been spent though. Many Junior grounds are old with the result that the facilities are “spartan” especially the toilets (God knows what its like for female fans). There are exceptions of course – Petershill’s redeveloped sports complex has first rate facilities easily comparable in class with Hamilton Accies’ ground if not in size. For what its worth I personally find plastic seats at stadiums very uncomfortable due to my height and I prefer the freedom of standing that I get watching the Juniors. I also like the charm of the old school grounds.

Value for Money

Entertainment	Cost in £s
Cinema (ticket, popcorn & drink)	15.00
Rugby (cheapest ticket for Scotland v Ireland)	10.00
Gig (Shed Seven at Barrowlands, ticket only)	21.50
Comedy (Jason Byrne at Fringe, ticket only)	15.50

Table 2 Other Entertainment Costs

A day out watching the Juniors costs two and a half times less than the cheapest SPL equivalent but it is very debatable whether the difference in comfort is enough to merit this. I would even argue that the entertainment value is not diminished by the difference in skill level. The more comfort and skill level on offer the more you will pay (around £29 for the Old Firm who come in at 2nd and 3rd most expensive SPL days out curiously behind Hibernian!).

It is my opinion that Junior Football offers more value for money especially for families (concession tickets are available). I would urge all football fans to go along to watch their local junior team and find out for themselves. You might prefer your usual seniors game but at least the change in your pocket will more than cover a consoling pint.

 

Related Links

• BBC Sports Price of Football Survey

Pain, Rain and Penalties

Ardrossan Winton Rovers’ Graeme Hamilton went from hero to villain as Yoker Athletic progressed through to the next round of the Evening Times Cup Winners Cup after a nail biting penalty shoot out followed an entertaining draw in monsoon like conditions.

Holm Park was the venue for this cup game and I was keen to visit the ground when the Whe Ho's tenants, Clydebank FC, weren't playing. The first difference was the entrance fee - a pound cheaper at £4, second change I noticed was that the food van wasn't in the ground, and the third was I was able to get into the social club bar before the game and get a seat!

Maybe the pre-game can of TL wasnt such a good idea because as I made my way into the enclosed stand I took a tumble and skinned my knee. I maintain it was the uneven concrete terracing that caused it though. Thankfully it was early and only two witnesses were present. My ego and knee bruised I took position ready and keen to see the champions of their respective leagues in action.

The game was delayed because the referee was stuck in traffic not that he looked old enough to drive though.

Both sets of managers set their teams out in the traditional four-four-two formation but it was the Whe Ho who had the best of the opening play especially down the left wing with full back, John Harvey (No.3) and winger, Mark McManus, (No.11) combining well to cause the Winton defence problems.

This was exemplified when Yoker opened the scoring only 5 minutes into the game. Harvey sent McManus clear down the left to set up a deep cross that was met by right midfielder, Jamie Carson (No.7) at the back post. He showed composure to cut back the ball to onrushing right back, Gary Vickers (No.2), who finished the move with a fierce drive.

Yoker 1 – 0 Ardrossan Winton Rovers (Vickers, 5mins)

Winton fought back and seven minutes later it took a fantastic save from Yoker goalie, Ross Clark, to keep the lead for his team. Some good passing play found Ardrossan with the ball down the left wing. A good centre was met by striker, Graeme Hamilton (No.10), who had got free of his marker in the 6 yard box. He connected well but Clark was equal to the shot.

However Hamilton only had to wait less than ten minutes to get the equaliser. A cross from the left hand side was well met by the Winton striker who’s header was placed into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 6 yards. It was the Ayrshire team’s reward for their pressure.

Yoker 1 – 1 Ardrossan Winton Rovers (Hamilton, 19mins)

Five minutes later and the Winton took the lead and Hamilton had his second goal of the game. If the first goal was well worked this was anything but. A huge punt up the field was chased by Ardrossan attackers who put the Yoker goalie under enough pressure that his attempted punch clear landed at the feet of the No.10 who did well to deftly touch the ball over the heads of the scrambling defence into the empty net.

Yoker 1 – 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers (Hamilton, 24mins)

It was Yoker’s turn to pressure the Winton defence and they thought they had an immediate equaliser less than a minute after conceding. Some great play down the right wing opened up the Rovers’ defence before the ball was turned in by the Whe Ho’s number 9, Ally Murray. However the big striker had thrown himself at the ball and in his desperation to make connection had used his hand to score. The referee had spotted it and booked Murray for the offence.

As Yoker pushed for the breakthrough some of the challenges were getting meatier and the home team had McManus and Carson booked for fouls and centre midfielder, Gary Bissland, was booked for something he said to the referee after his own team had won the free kick. His gaffer, John Brogan, let him know in no uncertain terms what he though of the booking.

Bissland was involved in a more positive move for Yoker on 31 minutes when they won a corner on the left side. The corner was drilled in low through the wet and found its way via a few pinball deflections to the No.10 at the back post. His strike was clean but it managed to squirm inches past the right hand post with a clutch of players including the goalie, defenders and attackers scrambling desperately to make a telling touch.

Half Time Yoker 1 – 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers

The rain had come in short, sharp bursts but when it did fall it was torrential leading to the playing conditions to deteriorate rapidly. Whenever the rain started the enclosure suddenly was flooded by about 150 fans escaping the downpour. Thankfully it also brought in a fan of comedy gold. His first beauty was his random shout of "Come on Renfrew!"cried with a blatant disregard to which game he'd turned up at. Then in response to some Winton fans mocking this shout he retaliated with "You're so sexy when you're angry" much to the hilarity of the Rovers fans' pals and the rest of us in the stand.

The second half was slow to get started with the players probably rather being in the warmth of the dressing room.

The first action of note was a booking for the Rovers’ No.5, Barry Jones for a foul don substitute striker, Nicolson after only 3 minutes.

63 minutes into the game and Ardrossan should have been reduced down to ten men. Their central midfielder (No.8) had been booked for a pull back at the end of the first half committed a bad foul on Yoker’s central midfielder, Harry McLachlan. The referee decided that a talking to was enough much to the protestations from the home fans and management team.

Four minutes later and Yoker were level. This time Ally Murray didn’t need his hand to score as he put away a fine headed lay off from McManus. A crossed ball from the right hand side was met on the back post by the left winger who’s header was despatched with composure by the No.9 from 8 yards out.

Yoker 2 – 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers (Murray, 67mins)

The goal seemed to ignite the game into a flurry of action again as both teams pushed to find a winner. Yoker were first to try their luck on 70 minutes when Bissland controlled a bouncing ball well on the edge of the box before his drive went just over the Winton goal.

Seventy-four minutes and Ardrossan Winton should have scored when their striker Paul Stewart (No.9) broke through the centre of the Yoker defence latching on to a long through ball. He unselfishly centred to his strike partner Hamilton taking Clark out of the game but a fantastic saving lunge from right back Vickers blocked Hamilton from claiming his hat-trick.

It was end to end stuff now as Yoker’s Carson had a half-chance in the box but his shot under pressure was screwed wide of the left hand post without troubling the keeper. A minute later and the Winton’s left winger, No.11, curled a shot past the left hand post from 20 yards out after some great work down the left.

With three minutes to play the Winton almost won it after the Whe Ho’s centre half, Ross Matthew, sold his left back short with a poor pass only 25 yards from his own goal that was quickly latched onto by the opposition. A break down the right hand side led to Hamilton meeting the cross with a good header that the goalie did very well to save and preserve his team’s chances of winning the tie in the last action of the ninety minutes.

Full Time: Yoker 2 – 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers

And so on to penalties. With both teams given five minutes to gather their spot-kick takers and take a well earned rest of the legs finally the referee was ready to start the lottery. Ardrossan were first up and each player stepped up to score confidently their first 5 allocated penalties. The Yoker players matched their counterparts without exception and it was sudden death. The first four penalties were put away until the Winton’s two-goal hero, Hamilton, had his kick saved by Clark with a diving save to his left. Yoker scored their eight penalty to spark the celebrations with a 8-7 victory.

Full Time: Yoker 2 – 2 Ardrossan Winton Rovers (Yoker win 8-7 on pens)

Another penalty shoot out at Holm Park but this time it was the Whe Ho who kept their nerve to win. The delayed kick off and penalties meant that I missed my train so I decided to jump on the number 11 Firstbus. What a mistake that was as the bus proceeded to show me parts of Glasgow I didnt know existed. Forty minutes and a panic, sprint, and subway ride later I was on my way home on the same train that I should have waited for in the first place. Thank god for a Zonecard.

Debut at the Derby of Holm Park

My first taste of Junior Football was a welcome and comforting one. An experience from which I took many things including the cold.

I had a shortlist of 3 teams that I would trial: Clydebank, Kirky Rob Roy and Petershill. The fixture list for Saturday 26th March 2011 had only Clydebank FC at home, the other two had drawn away games and it was a bit early to be joining the supporters' bus. So only the one game available to me but what a prospect: Central Division Cup 2nd Round tie: Clydebank FC v Yoker Athletic FC. The Holm Park derby, tenants v landlords. Think AC Milan v Internazionale at the San Siro, think Bayern v TSV 1860 Munich at the Allianz Arena, think Scotland v Queens Park at Hampden.

Yoker play in the West Region Central Division 2 at the moment - two divisions below Clydebank but this game was far from a foregone conclusion. The Paper Hankies' record at Holm Park against Yoker made grim reading: W 0; D 2; L 5. The rivalry would make this a tasty starter to my juniors journey.

I took Scotrail's finest from the East End straight to Yoker. Like a low-rent Orient Express I was seeing with my own eyes exotic locations that had previously only existed in my imagination and on the Springburn-Dalmuir timetable. I sat pie-eyed at Partick, gobsmacked at Garscadden, all the time wondering who or what Nico was and how effective an advertising campaign focused on railway bridges could be. The Scotrail Siren called "Next stop Yoker" and awoke me from my wonderment. I was nearly there.

Arriving at Yoker Station, I looked at the print-out from Google Maps that I'd studied earlier. I know there were two routes to Holm Park - 1. the longer way to follow street down to the main Glasgow Road, turn right for a bit with the park on the left or 2. take the shorter, diagonal route straight to the ground. A no-brainer for a lazy get like me or at least that's what I thought on the train but now the reality was facing me. That diagonal short cut was a path through two massive high rises with a group of hard-looking toddlers already eyeing me up for my change and trainers. Long way round it is then.

The ground wasn't hard to find - someone had handily put a huge "Holm Park" sign on the wall - and more surprisingly it wasn't as run down as suggested by the photos I'd seen. I paid in (£5), bought a programme (£1), and was given a leaflet about the United Clydebank Supporters (UCS) Football Trust. All in all I was given a very warm, friendly welcome.

You enter Holm Park behind one of the goals which on this occasion was being used by Yoker for shooting practice. I quickly realised the risk of being skelped by a wayward strike was dangerously high. Time to escape to the safety of the touchline beside the stand (rain was threatening). The only problem was I couldn't see a way over as the pavilion was in the way with a small, gated fence blocking the path. Buoyed by the pleasant greeting I'd received, I asked a guy how to get over to the side. he looked at me as if I was a clown (fair enough) and said bitterly: "Ye go that way when its the Yoker but cos its Clydebank ye'll huv to walk roond there", pointing to the back of the pavilion. I thanked him and left before he'd a chance to highlight any other injustices.

I took my place on the sidelines beside other Bankies fans. I'd say the crowd was a good size, a few hundred on both sides - maybe a few hundred more in the warmth of the social club. Did I mention how cold it was?

The banter before kick off was nice and friendly. Lots of groups of folk who'd obviously known each other for years. Although I did notice a couple of guys who talked non-stop from the moment I arrived, all through the game and were still going as I left.

The game was about to kick-off when something alarming caught my eye. I was standing with my back to the Clyde facing northish when I looked up to see heading straight for us was a jumbo jet. I quickly scanned left and right to see if anyone else had noticed or was bothered about our impending doom. It was like the film, Invictus, on the opening game of Mandela's rugby world cup when the plane is heading for the stadium and the panic that ensues in the security team while the crowd are oblivious. (not that many people have seen it. It's probably a poor reference) Just as the film the plane didn't dive into us but soared on although this one didn't have "C'mon the Bankies" written on it. And so it was that every 15 minutes or so a plane would fly over Holm Park headed for Glasgow International Airport in Paisley. Ideal for any plane spotter fitba fans out there.

So to the game itself. The first half started with a lot of passion and commitment and long balls from the goalkeepers. After years of watching top level games on the telly I'd forgotten what a goalie kicking from his hands looked like although my neck twinges remind me what it's like to header one. It was a half of few changes but a couple of players did stand out - Darian MacKinnon (No. 9) and Ross Campbell (No. 5) both of Clydebank. The first clear cut chance came from a cutting dribble from MacKinnon. He cut inside from the right wing, jinked past a couple of Yoker lads into the box and just as the defence parted like Moses' wave opening up for a deserved shot on goal, the big No. 9 laid it off to oncoming midfielder who was crowded out and the chance was wasted. The best chance of the half came from a Clydebank free kick on the left. A good cross in found the defender, Campbell, who's powerful header rattled the cross bar, rebounded down towards striker Mark Hailstones (No. 11) a few yards out of a clear goal. Unfortunately the bounce took the ball up high sharply and the Paper's striker isn't the tallest neither. He did well to get his head on it but was only able to loop it over the bar for a bye-kick.

0 - 0 at half time.

Why is it that once the distraction of the game ends you suddenly become aware of how freezing cold it is? Thankfully Holm Park has a burger van in the ground so I was able to grab a coffee at half-time. I wouldn't say it was Miss Cranston's Tea Room (you add and stir sugar and milk using a shared spoon dipped in a cup of water to clean it) but it was a damn tasty cup of coffee. the only down side was i spilt it over my feet but that's hardly their fault. Nope, it was the fault of the gents toilet which at first glance appeared to be an outer wall to cover your dignity while you pish against the wall of the pavilion. I was thankful it was only coffee on my trainers.

Back to my spot on the terracing - for I'd claimed it now - I was reminded of a vivid childhood memory. I had completely forgotten that at half time the pitch is overrun by kids for a game of heider-volley in both goals. Wonderful! Although I thought it was a bit snidey of the Yoker subs who had restarted their shooting practice. The kids were fine but the food van was under siege again.

Half time also gave me chance to read the match programme although not to the end as it was massive. It was packed with loads of great stuff including the managers thoughts from Budgie McGhie, player stats for the season and everything you'd expect from a seniors programme. Obviously a lot of effort goes into creating it and the club should be proud of it. It also kept me entertained for my journey home. Great value for a quid.

The second half was very much like the first with neither team dominating. The biggest issue was possession - neither team kept the ball for very long and this was because there was no perceptible central midfield. For most of the game it seemed like two bands of defence/attack on the pitch. Clydebank were lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation but the gap between the central midfielder and the central attacker was too great. the Bankies were forced to sub midfielder Kevin Murray (no. 8) after only 8 minutes and his replacement, Tommy Martin, did not return after the break - both due to injury. This probably had an effect on Clydebank's game strategy.

The game sorely needed a goal and it came Clydebank's way albeit against the run of play. Yoker had a spell of play putting pressure on Clydebank but some fine dribbling down the left hand side by MacKinnon saw him evade challenges to hit the bye-line just inside the box. He turned the next defender inside before laying off a great ball to Stevie Dymock (No. 10). The Clydebank striker sold the onrushing Yoker defense a cracker of a dummy before rifling a low shot into the opposite, left hand corner of the net. A beautifully worked and finished goal.

After the opener the Paper Hankies created more chances with their left back, Paul McMenamin (No. 3) looking dangerous all game with some cracking crosses. However the Wee-ho manager, John Brogan, made some changes with Craig Winslow coming on after 67 minutes. It only took him a minute to make an impact. Some good Yoker movement down the right led to No.8 Richard Smith controlling the ball well on the edge of the box before releasing Winslow with a lovely, inviting pass. Without hesitation the No.12 drilled it home, high past the goalie. A fine equaliser followed by a rubbish celebration.

The final 30 minutes featured a few chances for Clydebank to get back in front as they had all the pressure although Yoker could have won it near the end were it not for a smart save from the impressive Liam Campbell.

1 - 1 at full time.

Fearing that I'd miss the end of the game in order to get the train home (my sister was coming over for tea) I was surprised there was no extra time played but it went straight to penalties. The first three spot kicks were put away well - Clydebank 2 - 1 Yoker - and next up was Yoker's No.2, Gary Vickers. He placed the ball on the spot, went to assume position for his run up as the ball rolled back into a hole. He tried to replace it but the ball kept rolling into the divot. As the crowd noise grew, so too did the pressure on the right back who eventually gave up. He started his run up with barely the top of the ball visible and unsuprisingly his shot wasn't the best although Campbell still had to save it which he did well. I remember the same thing happened to me playing boys football - only my shot bounced twice before looping over the keeper's head. i had the temerity not to celebrate other than with a single fist pump.

Campbell did well to save Yoker's next spot kick while Clydebank went on to score their next to two to win 4-1.

On the whole it was a fair result. Clydebank deserved to win the game but Yoker didn't deserve a hiding neither. the Wee-ho can argue that they're still unbeaten in 90 minutes at Holm Park by their rivals.

Happy at being back to the fitba I headed back to the station for the train. I must have been giddy with the excitement or the cold but I decided to take the short cut through the tower blocks. High life living indeed - what I thought was brown wooden panelling was actually doors into the blocks. I made it unscathed but all the while I felt I was being watched like Escape From New York. I was probably saved by the coffee stains.

On the train back I sat in the same carriage as a fast asleep jakey. The conductor was a young girl who walked in shouting "Wakey, Wakey!". Apparently the boy had got on at Springburn, been all the way to Dalmuir and was now on his way back to point A. Apparently the conductor wasn't allowed to touch him and I didn't want to neither. He finally woke up at Duke Street station but wanted to be in Garscadden. I wonder if he made it.

Next game for me:

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Irvine Meadow (The Medda)

Oops, scrap that. The missus invited our friends round for lunch with their baby girl. Next game will be The Rabs v Pollok instead.

Related Links

Full Match Report on Clydebank FC Official Website

Match highlights on YouTube