REPORT :Leeds United fans could now turn their backs on the club – Keith Wyness

Former Everton boss Keith Wyness has claimed that Leeds United fans could stop going to games after ticket prices were increased and more away seats were introduced.

   In a new edition of the Football Insider Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old, who was managing director at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy that advises elite clubs, claimed football had reached a “tipping point”.  with fans bearing the ‘spiraling’ costs of player fees and wages.

   Speaking on The Square Ball Podcast (September 12), Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear revealed there are plans to increase Elland Road’s capacity to 53,000.

   As part of that expansion, Kinnear revealed there could be an increase in “premium seats” – and insists it will be “a big step forward for supporters”.

   Leeds raised season ticket prices by up to 12% for a percentage of supporters in the summer, despite the club failing to gain promotion to the Premier League.

   Kinnear also revealed that the Whites’ season ticket waiting list is currently around 22,000.

   As plans revealed, Leeds could see “5-10%” of fans defect per season, Wyness said

   Wyness told Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast: “There’s a problem with the game.

   “The cost of player fees and wages is rising and clubs need to find a way to justify it.

   “There seems to be a real tipping point now where a percentage of fans start to run away every season.

   “Clubs are seeing between 5 and 10% of fans defect per season and currently tourism is meeting that demand.

   “At some point costs have to be contained, not just pass the increase on to the fans.

   “It’s food for thought for all of us in the game.”