National League playoff final ticket prices prompt donations to help fans

Crowdfunding efforts have raised tens of thousands of pounds to support those travelling to Sunday’s National League playoff final, after widespread concern over the high price of tickets.

Grimsby will face Solihull Moors at the London Stadium, with the winner claiming a place in League Two. But the National League admitted it did not “always get things right” after fans were left facing prices of at least £40 plus booking fees for a seat.

On Thursday the league sponsor Vanarama donated £20,000 to each club to help subsidise coach travel. Grimsby’s Mariners Trust supporters’ group said fans – including those from Wrexham, the club they defeated in the semi-finals – had raised another £23,000 to help with buying tickets and travelling. Solihull said they would contribute £12 towards the cost of each concession ticket purchased in their end. Concession tickets cost £20.

Estimates from the Mariners Trust had suggested a family of four would have to pay £304.95 to go to the match, after the lower-priced £40 tier of tickets sold out. The remaining seats cost £45. All tickets are subject to a £3 per ticket booking fee and there is a 99p digital delivery charge per order.

“How can it be when a family of four have … £304.95 to find in a week and that’s without any food or drink and all during a harsh cost of living crisis?” the trust said. “We’ve seen already, a number of fans despairing that they just cannot afford it, while others will use any means possible because not being there just isn’t an option to them after a previous season of no football at all.”

The Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling joined a chorus of online complaints as he said fans had been treated “shamefully”. The Soccer Saturday host and Hartlepool fan