£174 to watch the big screen

Value for money? England fans at Twickenham

PICTURE: Getty Images

I AM a president of a rugby club playing in National 2 East (and have been for 10 years now) and used to be chairman of a constituent body (CB) for five years, retiring from that role in 2019.

I love my rugby and used to play for Old Millhillians. Both my sons played our wonderful game and now my grandson, who has just turned 13, is playing for his school team coached by England World Cup winner Kyran Bracken.

I had a Kiwi friend of mine fly in to join me at Twickenham last Saturday. I also took my son and my grandson (for his first ever visit to Twickenham).

To endeavour to ensure I had “good” seats I applied for the “offered” top-of-therange tickets through my CB.

Of course, as you most probably know, you are unable to select where your seats are, you just agree to pay the price and wait, if successful, to be allocated your seats. I was successful in purchasing four seats at the price of £174 a seat (total, including an administrative charge, £706).

For this amount, I feel, you should expect good seats, yes? My allocation was Block L22 Row 24 Seats 112-115… in line with the five metre line from the goal line next to the North Stand. So, when play is way down towards the South Stand, it's fairly difficult to see, so one tends to watch the big screen.

I do not believe this – £174 a seat – is good or even fair value. Do any of your readers?

It appears that the RFU continue to ignore, amongst many, many other “issues”, grass-roots rugby supporters and, in their avaricious greed, are only interested in encouraging “hospitality guests” who, not only, don't have to put their hands into their own pockets (lucky them!) but are those who continuously get up from their seats during the game to either go and purchase more beer or to relieve themselves. Those of us who go to watch the full game, with children, often have our views impeded by these people on numerous occasions throughout the game … even in the £174 Block L22 seats!