RIP OFF? SWANS STILL CHARGING MASCOTS PREMIER LEAGUE PRICES

Swansea City charging mascots Premier League prices
By Matt Lloyd

Swansea City charge up to £478 for a match-day mascot experience


Swansea City may play in football's second tier but they are charging parents Premier League prices for children to be mascots.
It costs up to £478 for a match-day mascot "package" at the Championship club, research by BBC Wales found.

Only three teams in the Premier League charge more, while the experience is free at most of the top clubs. Cardiff City charge £255.

Swansea City said prices were reduced this year following relegation.

Consumer groups have branded the higher prices as "outrageous".

For many youngsters, the chance to walk out onto the pitch with their football heroes is a dream come true.
Indeed many clubs tell parents the package is the "ultimate gift your child will never forget".

Many clubs sell the experience as "once in a lifetime"

Yet while many of the biggest clubs in the country, including Premier League champions Manchester City, do not charge for the opportunity, others are cashing in more than £700 per child.

Most packages include full kit, match tickets, photographs and autographs as well as walking onto the pitch before kick-off. But a £270 deal at Fulham does not include kit while a £185 package at Bournemouth does not come with a ticket to the game.
Martyn James, of consumer website Resolver, said: "It's absolutely outrageous that some richer kids can effectively buy their way to the top of the mascot list.

"When I was younger, being a mascot was a reward for super loyalty or for having been through a great deal.
The Premier League's oldest mascots?

"Charging any money for these packages is unacceptable - and it's pretty unknown too.

"It makes a mockery of all the things that our national game is supposed to represent."

Supporters on fan forums have slammed the prices as "unfair" and "scandalous".

Swansea City said the "truly once in a lifetime experience" includes four hospitality places, a meal and half-time penalty competition on the pitch.

A spokesman added: "We've reduced prices this year following relegation, from £450 plus VAT to £399 plus VAT for weekend, and £349 plus VAT for weekday matches.

"We also give one space free to charity every match and this was brought in this season."

Mascots at the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are picked at random from their junior fan club and are free.

Cardiff City offer the chance for children aged between four and 10 to turn "dream into reality" for £255 and have sold out for many of their most popular home fixtures.

Claire Blake, of Penarth, arranged for her eight-year-old son Cian to be a mascot before the Bluebirds' game against champions Manchester City as a birthday gift in September.

"We were lucky to get such a big game but I'm not sure we would be happy paying the same amount for games against other teams," she said.

"Cian got a kit, signed photos and met Neil Warnock and had a great time, but the seats were poor and it was a bit rushed meeting the players."

Season-ticket holder Tracy Morgan paid for her eight-year-old son Leo to be a mascot.

She said: "It was very expensive but it was worth every penny to see my son's face - and my husband's."

Ryan Moore bought a mascot package as a Christmas gift for his six-year-old son Niall.

He said: "It's free for some big clubs like Liverpool but a money-making scheme at others and there are so many mascots that it dilutes the experience.

"But we were pretty happy with the whole day. Niall loved it - apart from the team being hammered 4-1."

Clubs have been urged to find a "good deal" for fans.

The Football Supporters' Federation said: "Clubs should speak to their supporters about what they think represents a good deal for parents and if fans have specific concerns, we'd be happy to look into it.

"Our campaign focus will primarily remain on affordable ticket prices - particularly fair concessionary and fair young adult prices."

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It doesnt need to be free

It should be around £50-£60

Included in price:

A full childs kit
Programme
Activities at half time
Meet the players

Cheap and Easy to organise, charging thise prices is shocking even Cardiffs price is bad.

Yes, I can see your thinking there and that would be much better (from City)

I put this up here after bring genuinely shocked at the prices a lot of clubs (not just former Premier League club Swansea) charge for youngsters to be a Mascot and have an exciting match day experience

Even Cardiff's price seems a little OTT and although I appreciate they meet the team, lead them on to the pitch, meet the players/manager, watch the game and are provided with a bag of 'goodies', I also think that from a PR point of view it doesn't look good

May be the clubs that charge feel it is an 'elite' experience (unobtainable by many with tight budgets) and/or they want to stop an inundation of applications?

That some clubs (not all super rich) do it 'for free' is commendable to them in this day and age!

That they, Swansea, can't let go of their past is for them to deal with

What a salty affair. And VAT was introduced as a temporary measure.

I really don’t care care what the jacks charge to be honest

I really don’t care care what the jacks charge to be honest

I think you miss the point. It wasn't just about them...

but you saw fit to read even after the heading, so cheers

I really don’t care care what the jacks charge to be honest

I think you miss the point. It wasn't just about them...

but you saw fit to read even after the heading, so cheers

Why did I miss the point.... what have the jacks got to do with us.... stop worrying what they are doing.... as I said who cares....

I remember reading in one of Annis' books that he was told (by his Mother I think) that the value of something is based on what someone is prepared to pay for it.

If there are people prepared to pay £478 for their kids to be mascots at Swansea City then it really isn't their fault is it? You really have to question why parents are prepared to pay such a stupid amount of money for an event at a second (soon to be third) rate club?

My Snowflakes could cry all they want I would NEVER pay that!

People are just suckers.