Ange Postecoglou has insisted that it is not fair to question the passion of those who follow Tottenham from overseas, pointing out that people would not make trips halfway around the world to watch the side play unless they love the club.
Tottenham’s decision to increase season ticket prices has not gone down well with large swaths of the fan base, with many questioning why the club felt the need to do that at a time when they are posting big profits.
The critics of Spurs’ current ownership see the development as further evidence that the club are only concerned about the bottom line and sees supporters merely as customers.
Some have raised the worry that regular working-class fans will be priced out of attending matches, and Postecoglou admitted that he and the club are mindful of that concern.
He told Football.London: “I want Spurs supporters in the stand, mate – I don’t just want anybody in there. I want people who are passionate about the football club. I want the stadium to reflect the attachment that they have.
“Supporters have a voice and they are allowed to use that to express how they feel. They can use that in the stadium or through other avenues. I’m never going to dictate how they should behave or what they should adhere to.”
Some supporters perhaps feel that Premier League clubs nowadays are looking to sell expensive matchday tickets to such tourist supporters or so-called ‘plastic fans’.
However, Postecoglou shot back against that label, insisting that he himself could be described as such, having followed English football from the other corner of the world.
The Tottenham head coach responded: “That’s really harsh – and I’ll tell you why, because I’m probably plastic and touristy because I was coming from the other side of the world, really passionate about football and if I could get access to see a Premier League game that was the world to me.
“So to label people ‘plastic’ or ‘tourists’ I don’t think that’s fair just because people live on the other side of the world. This football club has supporters all over the world. It has supporters all over the UK who don’t always get access to the games and I think we should always be able to accommodate them.
“It doesn’t make them any less passionate and it’s really disrespectful to call fans who are willing to go to the expense of coming halfway round the world. You don’t know how passionate they are about their football club. Maybe they have only started supporting it in the last two years – but that doesn’t diminish who they are.”
When asked if ticket sales were a balancing act, Postecgolou added: “It’s a balancing act only if your end means isn’t about growing your football club in every aspect. It’s why we do tours around the world – to take this team to places where I know people are passionate.
“I know there are passionate Spurs supporters in Australia – just as passionate as they are here. They don’t live here, they can’t come to the games or buy season tickets.
“In fact I have friends in Australia who did buy season tickets and could only get here a couple of times a year, that’s how passionate they are. As long as your overall objective is to grow your football club then you will find the balance you need.”
Spurs Web Opinion
While the concerns of the average match-going fan about the price increase are legitimate and one can understand why supporters would want to be rewarded for their loyalty, it is certainly not fair to accuse overseas fans of being ‘plastic’ as many of them are extremely dedicated to the club.
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