Mumsnet calls for an end to Premiership kit rip-off

[KatieMumsnet]

As you might have seen we're writing to Premiership clubs, asking them to stop ripping off young fans with their replica kits. When we did our Family Friendly survey back in February 80% of you who responded said they thought football club merchandise ripped off families. We've now done the maths and the average Premiership kit for an eight year old retails at almost £60, rising to £80+ if you include getting the latest logos and player names. We know a similar (non-branded) kit at M&S costs £27, so are asking (very nicely of course) if the Premiership clubs couldn't produce a more affordable kit for their junior fans as they do for their toddlers.

As JustineMumsnet said in our press release "it's really hard to be the parent who says 'no' to the requests for the latest kits but these days you need a small fortune to buy a complete replica."

We'll keep you updated as the clubs respond to our letter, but let us know your thoughts, and of course if you want to tweet your club in support, that would be fine and lovely.

Yes. Football clubs make most of their money from shirt sales, right? (Correct me if I'm wrong, but this was what I'd understood.)

So, if the idea is to drive down footballers' wages then still all you have to do is say no to expensive shirts -> clubs reduce prices -> buy shirts at nice price -> footballers' wages go down.

But if we're really going to get to the heart of the problem here then, well, it's a distribution of wealth thing. There are only highly paid footballers because there are stinking rich club owners...

i dont think they keep afloat onshirt sales marimo

more like big sponsorship deals

I doubt they make most money from selling shirts! TV rights possibly most, then advertising etc

Don't see how you would ever turn the clock back now - Premiership is a massive industry worth £millions - although some are just bank rolled by oligarchs and the like

FA doesn't get to tell PL what to do, does it? Athough I am stretching the boundaries of my knowledge here. That's part of the problem with PL, insanely rich owners who aren't accountable to anyone.

Aren't most PL clubs technically bankrupt anyway?

Weird bloody industry

@SexyDomesticatedDab

So we must all follow the crowd and buy what ever is 'in'. My DS (14) has a very basic phone and not the latest smart phone - so should we just give in and buy a smart phone cos that's what his friends got?

Thats what these companies rely on - pester power - like the stuff at the checkout etc. More of a campaign on how to be an individual and make your own choices in this world would be better.

This site has adverts from places like luxury family hotels - you could say that is also putting pressure onto families here who cannot afford a holiday at all.

I think there is a clear distinction between marketing to adults and marketing to children don't you? We are not asking clubs to cut prices on adults shirts - just to make an affordable kit for child supporters.

@DamnYouAutocorrect

Aren't most PL clubs technically bankrupt anyway?

Weird bloody industry

Yes, if you talk to the clubs about it they say the money they make from merchandise goes straight into players' wages...

@SexyDomesticatedDab

I doubt they make most money from selling shirts! TV rights possibly most, then advertising etc

Don't see how you would ever turn the clock back now - Premiership is a massive industry worth £millions - although some are just bank rolled by oligarchs and the like

Merchandising is v big part of their revenues - don't have immediate stats but it's significant. I agree you can't reform football industry but think is an issue we could get some movement on.

Tiffany sorry if this has been covered already but apparently arsenal are the last big (or even small) team to not change all its kits every season as a matter of course.

So any product that can be marketed to children should be affordable?

I fully agree it's a rip off and there are many other products and brands too that you can say the same about.

In some cases the Clarkes shoes are more costly than an adults - going to campaign for that too? I mean how dare Clarkes advertise shoes that will fit childrens feet and charge them more than an adult shoe (not in every case).

I'm just glad Johannes Jan Veneegor of Hesselink left our club.Imagine if your dc wanted that putting on the back of their shirt.You would have to take out a second mortgage:o

'We are not asking clubs to cut prices on adults shirts - just to make an affordable kit for child supporters'

Surely the bigger issue is whether it is an appropriate industry for children to be supporting? Corruption at the top, all sorts of dubious money deals, terrible off-pitch (and on-pitch) behaviour by many of the so-called 'stars' who are the face of football and people young supporters will be aspiring to, top female professional players paid a tiny fraction of the ridiculous, unsustainable salaries their male counterparts earn.....

@Cattleprod

'We are not asking clubs to cut prices on adults shirts - just to make an affordable kit for child supporters'

Surely the bigger issue is whether it is an appropriate industry for children to be supporting? Corruption at the top, all sorts of dubious money deals, terrible off-pitch (and on-pitch) behaviour by many of the so-called 'stars' who are the face of football and people young supporters will be aspiring to, top female professional players paid a tiny fraction of the ridiculous, unsustainable salaries their male counterparts earn.....

Well it's a fair point but not sure I could convince my kids to stop being footie fans.

zero....that was the only club i looked at! typical!

so a football shirt is the same price as a pair of clarks shoes....roughly

i know which my dc would rather have

What about a campaign on school uniform costs - the big supermarkets knock em out for a few quid but then most schools you have to buy specific uniform from a local monopolistic supplier - so the mark-up on that also looks to be a few 100%.

I just don't support football in any way and detest what it stands for now. Grass root stuff is fine but as cattleprod points out it tends to send out all the wrong messages.

Definitely agree with SDD that a school uniform cost campaign would be way better.

Our school head just deceided to change colour of uniform just because the school is being re-built! No asking parents on if they agree or not. We have plenty of good uniforms that will do for a few years. Sends out all the wrong messages IMHO. Sorry for the hijack - but another example and in this case parents don't have a choice. Football kit is not compulsory.

I feel very glad DS isn't into football :)

Feel free to start a thread on any ishoo you feel should be addressed and see if there is a groundswell of support.
We shouldn't let the better be the enemy of the good, though.

I am 100% behind this campaign.

I have two mad keen football fan dc. They want to wear football kits, I want to buy them for them (within reason) but I do not want to be ripped off by football clubs.

Clubs need to be aware that when they have give their commercial directors free rein to do what they want, they are alienate their fans. Moreoever they are EXPLOITING them.

Bravo Mumsnet.

TBH this is reminding me of an AIBU thread where the OP doesn't want any YABU responses.

How do MNHQ decide which campaigns to officially promote?

How many people actually completed the Family Friendly Survey? And how was the question about cost of football strips worded? Ask most people if they think something is too expensive and in this financial climate they are likely to say yes, no matter what it is.

I agree with the earlier poster who said that Clarks shoes for children (28 pounds for cruisers for my 11 month old recently) are a complete rip off. Can we take them on?

My web site my rules

I can see the point and agree it IS a rip off - or you could say they are a business and make their own choices. But there is a choice that can be made.