Liverpool and West Ham supporters’ groups to unite against ticket price rises

Liverpool and West Ham United supporters are pulling together at Anfield on Wednesday night in a solidarity protest against ticket prices.

The supporters' group Hammers United, which has been campaigning against the removal of concessions for seniors, youth and disabled fans at West Ham this season, will continue the pushback before the Carabao Cup game.

Liverpool's supporters' union, Spirit of Shankly (SOS) have agreed to back the campaign with both groups uniting under a 'Stop Exploiting Loyalty' banner outside of the Fans Supporting Foodbanks collection point by the Kop flagpole at 7pm (BST).

It will follow the efforts of West Ham fans who have released black balloons with the words: 'Save our Concessions' and 'Stop Exploiting Loyalty' during games at the London Stadium this season. The campaign centres on the attempt to force the club's board to reverse a decision to remove certain concessions from disabled supporters and those under 18 and over 66.

Hammers United says that such changes are unjust and exploit long-standing fan loyalty and hopes the collaboration with SOS sends a strong message about fan unity against unfair ticketing policies.

An SOS statement to The Athletic read: "We stand in solidarity with Hammers United in the fight for fair ticket prices. There's a troubling trend in Premier League clubs – an apparent collective pushback on concessions and rising ticket prices — like the actions of a cartel, disregarding the loyalty of fans, particularly senior, youth and disabled supporters.

"It's vital that fans from all clubs come together to resist this direction and ensure loyalty is not further exploited. Football belongs to the people and supporters deserve fairness and respect."

As well as the matchday protests, a supporters' petition has also attracted almost 20,000 signatures.

(Top photo: Darren Staples/AFP via )