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| Swansea City charging mascots Premier League prices | Swansea City charging mascots Premier League prices |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Swansea City may play in football's second tier but they are charging parents Premier League prices for children to be mascots. | Swansea City may play in football's second tier but they are charging parents Premier League prices for children to be mascots. |
| It costs up to £478 for a match-day mascot "package" at the Championship club, research by BBC Wales found. | It costs up to £478 for a match-day mascot "package" at the Championship club, research by BBC Wales found. |
| Only three teams in the Premier League charge more, while the experience is free at most of the top clubs. Cardiff City charge £255. | Only three teams in the Premier League charge more, while the experience is free at most of the top clubs. Cardiff City charge £255. |
| Swansea City said prices were reduced this year following relegation. | Swansea City said prices were reduced this year following relegation. |
| Consumer groups have branded the higher prices as "outrageous". | Consumer groups have branded the higher prices as "outrageous". |
| For many youngsters, the chance to walk out onto the pitch with their football heroes is a dream come true. | For many youngsters, the chance to walk out onto the pitch with their football heroes is a dream come true. |
| Indeed many clubs tell parents the package is the "ultimate gift your child will never forget". | Indeed many clubs tell parents the package is the "ultimate gift your child will never forget". |
| Yet while many of the biggest clubs in the country, including Premier League champions Manchester City, do not charge for the opportunity, others are cashing in more than £700 per child. | Yet while many of the biggest clubs in the country, including Premier League champions Manchester City, do not charge for the opportunity, others are cashing in more than £700 per child. |
| Most packages include full kit, match tickets, photographs and autographs as well as walking onto the pitch before kick-off. | Most packages include full kit, match tickets, photographs and autographs as well as walking onto the pitch before kick-off. |
| But a £270 deal at Fulham does not include kit while a £185 package at Bournemouth does not come with a ticket to the game. | But a £270 deal at Fulham does not include kit while a £185 package at Bournemouth does not come with a ticket to the game. |
| Martyn James, of consumer website Resolver, said: "It's absolutely outrageous that some richer kids can effectively buy their way to the top of the mascot list. | Martyn James, of consumer website Resolver, said: "It's absolutely outrageous that some richer kids can effectively buy their way to the top of the mascot list. |
| "When I was younger, being a mascot was a reward for super loyalty or for having been through a great deal. | "When I was younger, being a mascot was a reward for super loyalty or for having been through a great deal. |
| "Charging any money for these packages is unacceptable - and it's pretty unknown too. | "Charging any money for these packages is unacceptable - and it's pretty unknown too. |
| "It makes a mockery of all the things that our national game is supposed to represent." | "It makes a mockery of all the things that our national game is supposed to represent." |
| Supporters on fan forums have slammed the prices as "unfair" and "scandalous". | Supporters on fan forums have slammed the prices as "unfair" and "scandalous". |
| Swansea City said the "truly once in a lifetime experience" includes four hospitality places, a meal and half-time penalty competition on the pitch. | Swansea City said the "truly once in a lifetime experience" includes four hospitality places, a meal and half-time penalty competition on the pitch. |
| A spokesman added: "We've reduced prices this year following relegation, from £450 plus VAT to £399 plus VAT for weekend, and £349 plus VAT for weekday matches. | A spokesman added: "We've reduced prices this year following relegation, from £450 plus VAT to £399 plus VAT for weekend, and £349 plus VAT for weekday matches. |
| "We also give one space free to charity every match and this was brought in this season." | "We also give one space free to charity every match and this was brought in this season." |
| Mascots at the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are picked at random from their junior fan club and are free. | Mascots at the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are picked at random from their junior fan club and are free. |
| Cardiff City offer the chance for children aged between four and 10 to turn "dream into reality" for £255 and have sold out for many of their most popular home fixtures. | Cardiff City offer the chance for children aged between four and 10 to turn "dream into reality" for £255 and have sold out for many of their most popular home fixtures. |
| Claire Blake, of Penarth, arranged for her eight-year-old son Cian to be a mascot before the Bluebirds' game against champions Manchester City as a birthday gift in September. | Claire Blake, of Penarth, arranged for her eight-year-old son Cian to be a mascot before the Bluebirds' game against champions Manchester City as a birthday gift in September. |
| "We were lucky to get such a big game but I'm not sure we would be happy paying the same amount for games against other teams," she said. | "We were lucky to get such a big game but I'm not sure we would be happy paying the same amount for games against other teams," she said. |
| "Cian got a kit, signed photos and met Neil Warnock and had a great time, but the seats were poor and it was a bit rushed meeting the players." | "Cian got a kit, signed photos and met Neil Warnock and had a great time, but the seats were poor and it was a bit rushed meeting the players." |
| Season-ticket holder Tracy Morgan paid for her eight-year-old son Leo to be a mascot. | Season-ticket holder Tracy Morgan paid for her eight-year-old son Leo to be a mascot. |
| She said: "It was very expensive but it was worth every penny to see my son's face - and my husband's." | She said: "It was very expensive but it was worth every penny to see my son's face - and my husband's." |
| Ryan Moore bought a mascot package as a Christmas gift for his six-year-old son Niall. | Ryan Moore bought a mascot package as a Christmas gift for his six-year-old son Niall. |
| He said: "It's free for some big clubs like Liverpool but a money-making scheme at others and there are so many mascots that it dilutes the experience. | He said: "It's free for some big clubs like Liverpool but a money-making scheme at others and there are so many mascots that it dilutes the experience. |
| "But we were pretty happy with the whole day. Niall loved it - apart from the team being hammered 4-1." | "But we were pretty happy with the whole day. Niall loved it - apart from the team being hammered 4-1." |
| Premier League mascot prices | Premier League mascot prices |
| West Ham United £700 | West Ham United £700 |
| Leicester City £600 | Leicester City £600 |
| Tottenham Hotspur £405 | Tottenham Hotspur £405 |
| Wolves £395 | Wolves £395 |
| Crystal Palace £375 | Crystal Palace £375 |
| Brighton £350 | Brighton £350 |
| Burnley £300 | Burnley £300 |
| Fulham £270 | Fulham £270 |
| Cardiff City £255 | Cardiff City £255 |
| Watford £250 | Watford £250 |
| Bournemouth £185 | Bournemouth £185 |
| Free: Arsenal, Everton, Chelsea, Huddersfield, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Newcastle United and Southampton. | |
| Clubs have been urged to find a "good deal" for fans. | Clubs have been urged to find a "good deal" for fans. |
| The Football Supporters' Federation said: "Clubs should speak to their supporters about what they think represents a good deal for parents and if fans have specific concerns, we'd be happy to look into it. | The Football Supporters' Federation said: "Clubs should speak to their supporters about what they think represents a good deal for parents and if fans have specific concerns, we'd be happy to look into it. |
| "Our campaign focus will primarily remain on affordable ticket prices - particularly fair concessionary and fair young adult prices." | "Our campaign focus will primarily remain on affordable ticket prices - particularly fair concessionary and fair young adult prices." |