We are being priced out of a working class game

HOW do you know when your team have made it? When exactly are they considered a “big club”? When Sheffield Utd charge £4 (€6) for a programme, that’s when.

Apparently they charge £3 (€4.50) usually, and £4 (€6) for the big clubs. As if we don’t shell out enough to follow this “working class game”.

When we visit the Camel Dome we’ll be paying £46 (€68) for the same tickets that Newcastle will only be paying £32 (€47) for in a couple of weeks’ time. As champions we’ll be charged the highest rate at every club in the country — how is that right and fair? Some of you will be saying something along the lines of “serves you right, Chelsea charge away fans a small fortune”.

That’s true, but hardly the fault of the fans is it? And yet we are the ones being fleeced.

The ordinary supporter is already on his knees and the FA are doing nothing to help, they are in fact leading by example in the exploitation of the game that was once “our” game.

When I had got over the shock of the programme price, I made my way into the ground to find possibly the tightest seats in terms of legroom in the Premiership.

Anyway, to the game. Dull just about sums it up. Early kick-offs are always an atmosphere killer and the Blades fans seemed resigned to losing before the game had even started.

Hilario cemented his fast-approaching legend status by saving a penalty early on, but I’d imagine a one-armed gorilla could have saved a penalty as badly taken as that. Quite apt that Lampard and Ballack scored our two goals — almost a confirmation that their new partnership is starting to bear fruit.

A few more games and they could be really frightening to face. Peaking around, oh, let’s say, November 26 at Old Trafford would be my guess.

I find listening to football radio phone-in shows a bit like picking at a scab; you know you shouldn’t do it; you know that no good will come of it; you know in fact that it will cause you some pain; but you still carry on.

Anyway, what else are you going to do stuck in your car on the M1 in miles of traffic?

Saturday’s Arsenal moans are a new one on me. Dozens and dozens of gooners rang up to whinge that Everton hadn’t played in a way which was conducive to Arsenal playing their usual brand of “beautiful” football. Can any other set of supporters be as arrogant as to demand that other teams play in a manner which would allow their team an easy win? So what that Everton scored and then defended? This is the same set of supporters who revelled in the “one nil to the Arsenal more powerful than Mogadon” style of George Graham football. Hypocrisy thy name is Arsenal.

As you’re reading this I will still be in Spain (again), either celebrating a momentous win with a horrid hangover, or nursing a horrid hangover after losing in the Nou Camp again (after having a man sent off naturally). But more of that next week.

This weekend we take on Tottenham, traditionally one of our biggest rivals. Tottenham have not lived up to their billing this season. I expected them to be challenging for a top five position, but they have been distinctly average. Perhaps the after-effects of the lasagne were more serious than anyone thought?

Whatever the reason, they will be throwing everything at us as our record now stretches 16 years in this unlovely part of north London and must be one of the longest unbeaten records in any league. I always take great pleasure in our results there as family rivalry is at stake. My sister is a season ticket holder at Three Point Lane and for years when my beloved Blues were barely keeping their heads above water, neither in financial nor football terms, Tottenham were nicknamed the aristocrats of the game. And boy, did she love rubbing that in.

Funny how things change isn’t it?

*Contact Trish at [e-mail]