Making sport a family affair in Manchester

Sale Sharks says rugby union is more family orientated

Sam Borrett
Contributor, BBC Manchester

At a time when many people are watching the pennies, what's it going to cost to take the family to an afternoon of sport in Greater Manchester?

If you want to watch top flight football, taking a family of four to Manchester United this season is going to set you back £2,000.

Traditionally, the world's best supported club has never struggled to find takers for its allocation of season tickets.

COST PER GAME FOR A FAMILY Manchester United £101.68 Manchester City £52.63 Bolton Wanderers £47.16 Wigan Athletic £26.31 Stockport County £28.22 Altrincham FC £25.00 Manchester Phoenix £25.00 Sale Sharks £13.88 Manchester Magic £12.50

Yet, on the eve of the 2010/11 season, it was still possible to pick up four season tickets, all sat together, in several areas of the stadium.

Whether it's ticket prices, the general state of the economy or the increased capacity at Old Trafford that are to blame is unclear.

Manchester United said it was 'very happy' with the way sales are going.

However, the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) said that the club wasn't doing enough to attract families.

"There's a very limited capacity family area so it's very difficult to get two adult and two child seats together in the ground," said its chief executive Duncan Drasdo.

Competition

So where else can you and the family enjoy a Saturday afternoon of sport?

Up the road, Wigan Athletic have introduced a £500 family season ticket, making them the cheapest club in the Premiership and sixth cheapest out of all the 92 football league teams.

On the eve of the Premiership, season tickets are still unsold at Old Trafford

Press Officer Ed Jones said that, although they won't release their actual figures, online sales at the DW Stadium "have been steady."

"We've never stood still and we're always attracting new fans," he said.

"There's so much competition in the region from big clubs so we're trying new schemes in schools and appealing to younger fans."

"But I think generally across sport people are being more careful with their money."

Other sports

Slow ticket sales at the region's football clubs may benefit other sports on offer in Manchester.

Local ice hockey team, Manchester Phoenix, have announced that season ticket sales are up for the first time in five years.

Club spokesperson Mike Stevenson explained that the involvement of more local players and dropping down to the second tier of ice hockey were both reasons for the rise in interest in the sport.

Manchester Phoenix play their ice hockey in Altrincham

"There is more energy than at the top level, it's a more exciting event and the hockey is definitely quicker," he said.

"Players come out onto the ice to loud music, spotlights and video footage, the whole match night entertainment is very difficult to beat."

Sale Sharks are kicking off the new rugby union season with the introduction of a heavily discounted family season ticket at Edgeley Park.

At just £236 for 17 games this is one of the cheapest options for families wanting to follow a local sports team.

Sharks Community Manager Jonny Acheson explained the attraction.

"Rugby is a different atmosphere, it's family orientated, there's no aggression between fans, unlike football, and fans can even have a drink while watching the match.

"Season ticket sales are slightly down on last year but we're hoping to catch up during the season.

"The family ticket was introduced this year to make it even more accessible."

Basketball team Manchester Magic are also keen to widen their appeal this season with a £12.50 family ticket for home games at the Amaechi Centre.

It appears that, across a range of sports, most clubs are working hard at making themselves family friendly.

So whatever your sporting preference, there may be something to suit every family budget this season.