Man City should be applauded for making FA Cup tickets affordable, not mocked by online critics

Isn't it wonderful when football fans, rather than putting their tribal differences aside, decide to pile onto one fanbase about a particular issue rather than uniting to force change for the good of the game?

Depressingly, it's that time of year again.

Manchester City's first game after the two-week Premier League winter break will be an FA Cup fourth round tie against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.

As City - and countless other clubs - often do for this kind of early round cup fixture, a load of tickets have been made available for students in the local area at knock-down prices.

By logging into their UniDays account, a typically cash-strapped portion of the population can purchase tickets to see the best team in Europe for a very reasonable price of £10. Additionally, under-18 tickets for the match are £5.

City have done this for Champions League games too. It's a commendable initiative, no?

On the contrary; according to folk on Twitter, trying to make elite-level football affordable is embarrassing and certainly not worthy of praise.

Sadly this is nothing new. While supporters across the country have on occasion united in calling for reasonable ticket prices - the Twenty's Plenty campaign is a prime example - every time City offer discounted tickets, the same old jibes appear.

"Emptyhad," comes the universal cry as soon as City try to sell tickets at an affordable price, the accusation being that City only slash prices for the 'lesser' games in order to try and fill the ground.

If we're being honest, there is probably some truth in that. There is an underlying reason why City offer cheaper tickets for midweek Champions League games and cup fixtures where star names will be rested, but not heavyweight Premier League