BRENTFORD fans have reacted angrily to news they will have to fork out £25 and use the away stand in order to watch their team play Celtic.
One peeved supporter labelled the situation ‘a farce’ after it was announced the Bees will be playing Scottish Premier League champions Celtic in a pre-season friendly at Griffin Park on Saturday July 20.
Fans who are already feeling the financial strain of purchasing tickets to Wembley last month were quick to react when told how much this latest match will set them back.
Not only will a seated ticket cost £25 (£27 if bought on the door) but instead of gathering in the BIAS stand at the Ealing Road end of the ground, home fans who want to recreate the normal match-day atmosphere of having one end exclusively to themselves will have to squeeze into the Brook Road stand.
Although it was once the Home end, since 2007 it is has been where the away fans congregate during Brentford matches at Griffin Park. In order to be a success finacially a crowd in excess of 9,000 will need to attend.
One fan tweeted: “Can’t believe we’re giving Celtic our three home stands and we’re getting the away stand. Disgraceful.”
Another wrote: “Why are we even paying to play Celtic?! Plenty of championship clubs that are just as competitive that would play for nothing!”
Others have been more positive, with one writing: “If we make money and get a better player in that helps us win the league then no 1 will complain if money is well spent.”
This was backed up by Sam Nicol who said: “I don’t know why bees fans are complaining, ground is always empty for pre season, great way of making money.”
Undetered by previous low turnouts the club decided to proceed with booking the Glasgow side, who also reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Mark Devlin, Brentford FC Chief Executive, said: “The Club has paid a substantial fee to bring Celtic to Griffin Park and we need to set ticket prices accordingly. Pre-season friendlies at Griffin Park in recent years have generally not attracted large crowds.
“I hope supporters understand the decisions we have taken for this fixture, the like of which has not been seen at Griffin Park for many years.”
The club, which submitted plans for its new 20,000 seater stadium in Lionel Road South on Friday (31), will also play home matches against Millwall on July 16 and Cardiff City on July 30, and travel away to Borehamwood twice, once to play Southend United on July 12 and the other to play Borehamwood FC on July 23.
