League Two Colchester United play Premier League Spurs tonight in the third round of the Carabao Cup and not surprisingly the Essex outfit are looking to maximise the commercial opportunities from the fixture.
Big cup games are a massive income generator for lower league clubs, but their commercial activities around the visit of a Premier League giant are often unpopular with certain sections of a club’s support, and it appears Colchester is no different. The club has come in for criticism from some fans for ‘cashing in’ with increased ticket prices and over the policy on ticket availability.
Clubs are often on a hiding to nothing in such situations with it being impossible to please everyone. Criticism often comes from the club’s most loyal supporters who feel threatened and concerned the big cup game fan will get a ticket ahead of them, causing them to miss out.
Stoic tales of fans commitment and the miles travelled over the years are widespread on social media during the lead up to big cup matches with many asking why these fans here for the big occasion cannot come every week.
Another recent phenomenon of this sort of evening is the sight of hawkers outside stadiums selling unofficial merchandise, including the dreaded half and half scarf. However, the U’s commercial department has managed to stay one step ahead of the game and announced on Twitter the arrival of official half and half scarves in the club shop a full week before the visit of the U’s illustrious opponents giving fans plenty of opportunities to snap one up.
It is fair to say the announcement got a mixed reaction on social media as the following selection of responses on Twitter illustrates.
Burn them!
— Ian (@colu180) September 21, 2019
Just wrong
— Stuie T (@Thomo9966) September 21, 2019
Half and half are ?
— Amie cutts (@amie_cutts) September 21, 2019
Think for a cup game it’s fine. Esp when the chances of playing each other again are limited. Agree for teams in the same league though. Shocker!!!
— Mistley FC (@MistleyFc) September 21, 2019
Half and half scarves ?
— Luke Mayhew (@lukemayhew1994) September 21, 2019
People mugging off half and half scarves but if people want to buy them and it creates extra revenue for the club then it's a good thing in my opinion.
— Simon Clark (@simeone26) September 21, 2019
"Only £10" for a half and half scarf ? no thanks
— Andy Alderman (@andyacufc) September 21, 2019
What a crap scarf
— Lloyd Smith (@lloydsmith74453) September 21, 2019
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