Off, off, off … coaches cancelled as Rotherham United fans refuse to pay £45 Leeds United admission price
Coaches scheduled to transport Rotherham United supporters to Leeds United for next month’s Yorkshire derby have been cancelled. This move was made in response to the supporters’ boycott of the game, which was sparked by the exorbitant cost of tickets.
Millers fans were incensed to learn that adult away tickets for the Championship match at Elland Road on Saturday, February 10, cost £45 apiece after pricing details were made public on Tuesday.
The Bridge Inn and Kimmy Park Away Days, two regular transport suppliers, quickly cancelled their plans to send coaches, and Rotherham’s official supporters club quickly followed suit after gathering feedback from members.
Leeds claims to have presented the Millers with a feasible option that would have nearly half the price.
A representative for the company stated, “We are offering reciprocal pricing deals to all clubs in the Sky Bet Championship, but they were rejected by Rotherham United.”
Leeds recommended that category-B tickets for the 1-1 draw at AESSEAL New York Stadium on November 24 should cost £25, and Millers supporters should pay the same price for the rematch.
The match is priced £27 for adults and has already been classified as category A by Rotherham.
In contrast to the Premier League, the second division has no price cap of £30. Leeds’ £45 fee caused a stir on social media, with Millers’ supporters calling the amount “extortionate”.
“Joke price,” “deplorable,” “shameful,” “ridiculous,” and “disgusting” were among the other remarks posted on Facebook and X.With a fair price, the 2,018 tickets allotted to Rotherham—who have opted not to comment—would have been sold out.
The coach fee at The Crown Inn in Greasbrough has been reduced to £5 in order to keep prices affordable for those supporters who are still ready to travel.
In other related news:
5 players who could follow Luke Ayling out of Leeds Unite
The players that could follow Luke Ayling in departing Leeds United this January
KEY POINTSL
Leeds United’s Jake Ayling, a defender, will spend the remainder of the current season on loan at Middlesbrough.Given that several of them have been connected to departures from the team, January could see more player departures from Leeds.A number of players, including Joe Gelhardt, Charlie Cresswell, Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, and Darko Gyabi, could leave Leeds United during the current transfer window.
Luke Ayling’s time at Leeds United is drawing to a close.
The defender will sign a loan agreement with Middlesbrough that will run until the end of the current season. Since Ayling’s Whites contract is scheduled to expire in the summer, it’s likely that he has played his last game with the team.
The 32-year-old may be among several Elland Road departures in January, as rumours have it that several members of Daniel Farke’s starting team may be leaving.
The club saw a hectic summer window with the departure of several prominent stars; this winter may see more of the same, if not to the same extent.
| Leeds United – 2023/24 Departures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Signed For | Loan/Permanent |
| Tyler Adams | AFC Bournemouth | Permanent (fee involved) |
| Rodrigo Moreno | Al-Rayyan | Permanent (fee involved) |
| Robin Koch | E. Frankfurt | Loan |
| Max Wober | Borussia Monchengladbach | Loan |
| Tyler Roberts | Birmingham City | Permanent |
| Adam Forshaw | Norwich City | Permanent |
| Joel Robles | Al-Qadsiah | Permanent |
| Brendan Aaronson | Union Berlin | Loan |
| Jack Harrison | Everton | Loan |
| Luis Sinisterra | AFC Bournemouth | Loan (option-to-buy) |
| Rasmus Kristensen | AS Roma | Loan |
| Marc Roca | Real Betis | Loan |
| Sam Greenwood | Middlesbrough | Loan |
| Cody Drameh | Birmingham City | Loan (option-to-buy) |
| Sonny Perkins | Oxford United | Loan |
| Weston McKennie | Juventus | End of Loan |
Leeds is vying for promotion to the Premier League, but they have a hectic few weeks ahead of them before the deadline of February 1st.
Before the window closes next month, we take a look at a few players who could follow in Ayling’s footsteps.
Crysencio Summerville
Though there were rumours of a summer transfer involving Summerville, the Dutchman stayed at Elland Road over the deadline.
His exploits have won him numerous accolades, and he has established himself as a vital component of Farke’s first team ambitions at Leeds.
Due to the winger’s accolades, Aston Villa and Brighton have both been connected to him, attracting even more transfer interest.
Considering the 22-year-old’s significance to the team, it is unclear if Leeds will be persuaded to pay up for him.
However, a large offer from a Premier League team might be sufficient to convince the Yorkshire team to allow the forward to leave this winter.
Wilfried Gnonto
Another player whose career was in doubt after the team was demoted from the top division was Gnonto.
Because of the winger’s strong Premier League play, Leeds turned down Everton’s alleged £25 million summer offer.
Despite the Italian’s lacklustre second season at Elland Road, the Toffees are still interested in signing him, and West Ham has been mooted as a potential next stop.
The fact that the club is seriously interested in signing him suggests that he might go in January.
Luke Ayling is heading to Middlesbrough for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Charlie Cresswell
Since returning to Leeds during the summer, Cresswell has had difficulty getting into the starting lineup.
Despite spending the previous season on loan at Millwall, he was unable to establish himself in Farke’s first team plans.
The player may choose to go to Blackburn Rovers next, and wherever he finishes up, he’ll probably be looking for guarantees of more playing time.
Joe Gelhardt
Another player who has had trouble getting into the lineup since coming back from loan at the end of the previous campaign is Gelhardt.
The attacker has been connected to Celtic and Rangers, two of Scotland’s biggest clubs, as well as Plymouth Argyle, as a possible temporary departure.
His future has not yet been decided, but this month’s exit from Elland Road is most likely in the works.
Darko Gyabi
Football Insider reports that Plymouth is considering a move for the 19-year-old midfield player.
The Pilgrims have suffered a great loss with Finn Azaz’s departure, therefore a deal to recruit the bright young player might be a perfect substitute for the Ireland youth international.
A loan should assist guarantee that he gets more playing time before receiving more opportunities to play for the first team in the future, since he has only made two appearances for the Yorkshire side.
