LIVERPOOL’S OWNERCS WERE shaken by supporters protesting over a planned rise in ticket prices, chief executive Ian Ayre has said, though he insists the increase would have been justified.
The club had intended to up the highest matchday ticket price to £77 but backed down after thousands of fans staged a walkout during the Premier League game against Sunderland last month.
Ayre revealed Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, were surprised by the reaction to the suggested price rise, and maintains they were not motivated by greed.
“I think the thing that shook the owners and everybody in the club was this perception of greed,” said the chief executive, announcing the club’s latest accounts, which show a 16.5 per cent rise in revenues to £297.9m.
“These results demonstrate a lack of greed. You don’t make a few million more on ticket prices because of greed.
“You do it with the right intention, which was always to reinvest it back into the football club – which ultimately usually means investing it into the team.
“So nobody was taking any money or taking anyone for granted.
“I’ve had lots of people comment since and I think it shows the type of organisation we have as a whole – our fans, our business, our owners, our team here.”
Ayre acknowledged the club misjudged the new ticket strategy, adding: “People are prepared to say when they got it wrong and are prepared to apologise.
“And fans are prepared to say when they don’t like something and that makes for a healthy environment I think.
“We’ve always known in Liverpool that it is a special club with special parts to it. I think this is just a good example of that.”
That’s a pretty misleading headline in fairness. You’ve taken him out of context there
I don’t think ‘These games are great for practicing’ is taking anything out of context.
It looks like a poor attempt to paint the bloke in a negative, unsporting light.
I’d have to disagree there. A small change turns an innocuous comment about the nature of the autumn series into a dig at Ireland, as if he considered the match as nothing more strenuous than a warm-up with a practice squad. Needless sensationalism, in my own humble opinion.
Yeah, bad headline
The headline says “Ireland were great for practicing against, declares hooper”
What he actually said was “these games are great for practising and getting systems in place”
He made no specific reference to Ireland as opposed to any other team they play this autumn, but from reading the headline you would think he was disrespecting Ireland.
In fairness Patrick your usually fair enough but I think your off the mark this time.
The headline says “Ireland were great for practicing against, declares hooper”
What he actually said was “these games are great for practising and getting systems in place”
He made no specific reference to Ireland as opposed to any other team they play this autumn, but from reading the headline you would think he was disrespecting Ireland.
In fairness Patrick your usually fair enough but I think your off the mark this time.
I agree it is misleading…looking to stir something up…
Totally agree. The headline says something totally different to what the article reports. Headline suggests they totally disrespected Ireland which couldn’t be further from the truth judging by his full comment.
Incorrect Patrick, there’s quite a bit of difference between the two statements and the headline suggests a personal lack of sportsmanship directed specifically at Ireland.
The Journal, sharp in it’s early incarnation, has become increasingly sloppy with headlines and content over the last while and is no longer first port of call here for news or sport.
Another misleading headline
He did not mention ireland at all.
my granny would walk through that irish defence
She must be quick
Your headline is f@#kin joke. Typical. This site is gone to hell!
Has thejournal got a new editor recently? The headlines lately are ridiculous.
I’m really starting to get annoyed with the sensational tabloid headlines
Headline completely out of context. Trying to justify it is even worse.
Cheers for the comments and feedback. We have changed the headline to reflect Hooper’s drive to win three Tests in a row, for the first time, with the green & golds.
Cowboy
This site is getting worse by the day. Sad effort of a headline in fairness. No need for it.
Lmao…He just telling the truth…
It’s common sense what he’s saying
The score/the Sun
The Score is quickly slipping into Tabloid territory, come on lads, clean it up!
He’s right In a way! You could practice anything you like against that irish team?