Inflation-hit football fans are now having to work almost twice as long as previous generations to afford a day out at the FA Cup Final. A typical supporter off to Wembley to cheer on their team would have spent the equivalent of 1.25 days’ take-home pay to watch Arsenal v Newcastle in 1952, the year the Queen came to the throne.
But this year the average Liverpool fan needs to work almost 2.5 days to be at Saturday’s showpiece against Chelsea, according to research conducted for cost-of-living champion Nous.co. The costs – which take in match tickets, train fare, food, drink, programme and scarf – added up to £2.66 out of an average weekly wage of £10 in 1952. This year the cost of attending will be £292, with the average weekly wage is £611.
That means the 1952 fan had to pay 26 per cent of their week’s wages, compared to 48 per cent for a supporter today. Ticket prices alone have risen a whopping 750 percent from 15p for most fans in 1952 to £115 for a mid-range seat on Saturday. Return rail fares from the north to London have risen from around £1.80 70 years ago to £104.
