MP argues for more accessible sport (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

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MP argues for more accessible sport

June 15, 2009 4:03 PM
Originally published by John Leech, MP for Manchester Withington

John Leech is a keen sports fan and is a member of the parliamentary football team seen here outside Westminster Hall

In the week that Cristiano Ronaldo looks poised to join Real Madrid for a world record fee of £80m, Withington MP, John Leech has been leading efforts in parliament to make sport more accessible for fans.

Mr Leech, an avid Man City supporter, has tabled a parliamentary motion congratulating City's Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers on reducing some season ticket prices to just £199 and urging other Premiership teams to follow suit.

John Leech said:

"Football is in danger of losing all connection with the average supporter. With spiralling ticket prices, £80m transfer fees and Premiership players' wages passing the £1 billion mark for the first time last season, Blackburn's price reduction offers a welcome dose of common sense."

Last week Mr Leech also backed moves calling on high profile sporting events like the Ashes and World Cup football matches to be made available on free-to-air broadcasters like the BBC rather than them being the preserve of subscription channels.

John Leech added:

"I believe that if we are to encourage people to take up exercise, especially young people, events like the Ashes or World Cup matches should be available to as many people as possible for as little money as possible. We're now in a situation where there is no live cricket coverage on free-to-air television and supporters are being hit by the double whammy of high ticket prices and being expected to pay for expensive subscriptions if they want to watch matches on the telly. This situation really needs addressing."

Notes to editors:

1. John Leech has tabled Early Day Motion 1602, PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON TICKETS:

That this House welcomes the decision by Blackburn Rovers to cut a number of their season ticket prices to just £199 for the 2009-10 season; notes this represents the lowest priced Premier League season ticket for a decade; further notes that this will make the club's season tickets the third cheapest out of all four professional divisions with only Accrington Stanley and Huddersfield offering less expensive season tickets; further welcomes the fact that this move will make Premier League football more accessible to fans, especially in the current economic climate; and urges other clubs to follow suit and cut their ticket prices.

2. John Leech has also supported Early Day Motions 1563 FOOTBALL AND THE SPORTING LISTED EVENTS REVIEW and 1562 CRICKET AND THE SPORTING LISTED EVENTS REVIEW tabled by John Grogan, MP for Selby.