I think it’s just supporters of my type that are hit hardest by many of these changes. That’s down to the powers that be, not the fans who benefit from them. They rightly want the best for themselves. The Premier League needs to find a balance.

I find myself increasingly taking issue with other peoples definition of fans these days. I can relate to everthing you say about days gone by, the terraces, the travel, the food etc. and, like you, I am nostaglic for many aspects of those times.
However, as a fan who travelled from Dublin in the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s and now living in Australia, I always felt hugely priviliged to attend games (often paying well above the odds for tickets). As a fan ‘abroad’ these days I rely totally on TV and the internet to follow the game and, having travelled in Asia, have become aware of the massive support for the Premier League’s top 4, a support that is no less passionate than any I have ever witnessed elsewhere.

It is these fans who are fuelling the huge growth of the EPL and I am in no doubt that without their dollars we wouldn’t be watching the same product.

Hence, myself and the many millions of fans in other geoghraphies are rather apathetic regarding issues of ticket prices and positively enthusiastic regarding the 39th game debate. Terraces (or not) is irrelavent. Whilst I’m not making a case for the 39th game (different concept maybe) there are now huge numbers of fans globally that would ‘kill’ to see their team play live but never have the opportunity. I can fully realte to this. As a boy in the 60′s, never having set foot in the UK, my uncle took me to see Utd play a preseason game in Dublin. I watched Charlon and Best et al. in awe and my feet didn’t touch the ground for a week!

Equally these fans want to see their team continue to compete at the highest level and, therefore, support the concept of ticket prices going with the laws of supply and demand.

The truth is that the overseas fans now outnumber the home based fans by a significant number. A tendency (and I’m not suggesting you presented anything here of this nature) by many writers on these issues to belittle the rights or the credentials, as fans, of these people is both irritating and misguided. It’s a world game now and that is what sustains the greatness and success of the Premiership. I myself purchase videos and other memorabilia directly from my clubs website, subscribe to live commentary over the internet and contribute to pay TV, all of which flows directly or indirectly back to the club.

Passionately following a football team is a ‘virtual’ concept. You can attend every game or live on a mountain top in Nepal (where I hear pay TV reception is excellent)and, while not measurable, have the exact same devotion to or passion for your team. Nobody can claim ownership. It’s a concept that fans who live near the ground and attend games with ease don’t seem to want to accept but it fuels progress and success and it can’t be denied.

More of the stakeholders (genuine fans) than ever before cannot attend games but what they contribute is vital to the success. I understand the view of those who get to attend most games and the issues as they perceive them but they are now in a minority and you either accept the whole package or the alternatives you suggest.

You see! A good article always brings out the best (or worst?) in me. Good luck!