Football means the world and more to many people and, at times, it can be difficult to escape, especially when it comes to Arsenal for those of us Gooners.
During certain moments in life, football offers an escape and a healthy coping mechanism to deal with the day-to-day stresses of life.
But the game has changed enormously.
Once upon a time, football was the working man’s game and clubs made their money through fans turning up at matches and buying programmes. Players could be brutal in certain instances on the field, but not unfair like we see now.
How much has football changed?
There is far too much shirt tugging, tactical fouling and TV money which divides and conquers clubs throughout the football pyramid, while tickets are overpriced for what they are – a 90-minute game of football in most cases.
If you go and watch Arsenal today, you’ll easily spend roughly £100 on a matchday. That includes the price of a ticket, if you’re lucky enough to earn one through the ballot system, food and rail fares.
Going back in time, football ticket prices in comparison to the cost of living were relatively cheap on top of paying monthly utility and grocery bills.
During the 1960s, you could stand on the terraces of Highbury chanting your lungs out for only a few pennies. Mind you, that was during the days before decimalisation, but even still, how times have changed.
I was born 40 years later and I’m aware of how much more lucrative football has become in recent times.
Even going back to 2014, £30 million was a lot in the transfer window and could buy you a decent striker. Now we’re speaking about over double that for the likes of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who cost the Gunners £75 million.
He’s deemed one of the greatest players in the world in current times from Newcastle United, so why wouldn’t you pay that?
That’s not the point.
As they say, “how long is a piece of string?”
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Is football now about greed and power?
The World Cup proved just how underhand FIFA have become, selling shares in the World Cup and giving in to one of the most powerful men in the world, American President Donald Trump, who managed to reverse the sending off of one of his nation’s players in the tournament, as well as ex-Arsenal player Folarin Balogun.
Returning to price tags, football has become so expensive now that not even the man on the street can afford to go and watch his beloved Arsenal week in and week out, which he might’ve done for most of his lifetime until recent decades.
I’m all for the advancement of the sport, especially, for instance, goal-line technology, which Arsenal have benefited from at times, and I accept prices go up.
But this is about greed and power, which has slowly turned football into show business for the ultra-rich, taking it away from the average person like me and you!
Turning attention to next season, hopefully Arsenal will make the most of this and go on to win a second title, with our new signings, in particular Guimaraes, who should be a pleasure to watch.
COYG!!
Liam Harding
What do you think, Gooners? Has modern football become too expensive and commercialised for ordinary supporters, or are these changes simply part of the game’s evolution? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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