I remember the introduction of the Poll Tax and the opposition to it in the general populace, it was fervent to say the least. Such a word can be used to sum up the reaction of Leeds United fans regarding the Pie Tax.
Whilst the ‘Poll Tax’ was the common name for the ‘Community Charge’, introduced in England in 1990, ‘Pie Tax’ is the term given to Leeds United’s £5 mandatory hike of ticket prices in the South Stand. The current flames being fanned among the Leeds United supporter base is the club’s decision to put a mandatory £5 increase on South Stand tickets that can be redeemed at catering outlets within the South Stand for hot food and refreshments. The problem is that it isn’t an opt-in scheme but more of a pay-up-front scheme even if you don’t even fancy a quick nibble at half time.
With fans crying ‘shame’ on the club for this in-season hustle, Leeds United themselves have countered with the response that, “tickets are now being sold as a package, which includes the advertised standard match ticket plus meal deal voucher.” Whilst this may be of comfort to some Leeds United fans, it doesn’t appeal to all.
These disgruntled fans feel they are apparently being ‘punished’ for exercising a freedom to choose where to watch their Leeds game from; the club’s stance that it is “to encourage supporters to use the facilities and catering offerings” seems to stress a particular kind of ‘encouragement’ at the point of a bayonet.
To say Leeds fans on Twitter aren’t treating this as a joke is like saying that you can urinate in the face of a storm and not expect wet clothes. The ‘Pie Tax’ has brought out the mirth in Leeds United fans at the club where anything can, often does, happen…on a regular basis.
Leeds United fans, ‘Pie Tax’, and Twitter reaction
Stuff it. I'm calling for a mass south stand food fight on 17minutes in protest… Pie in the face for you.. #Lufc #pie gate
— Pete Gibson 🏆💛💙 (@pedrogibo) December 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/bigbangyamaha/status/672176952711737344
What is the south stand capacity? Must be over 40000 with the amount upset with paying a extra £5 for a pie and drink #lufc
— ㄥㄩ千匚 丨几匚 (@LUFCInc) December 2, 2015
@e_LeedsUnited @WACCOE we could play 'pass the pie'. When the fans stop singing, the person holding the pie has to kill Cellino. #lufc
— Northern Lifer (@northernlifer) December 2, 2015
If your going to pie protest do it at half time no need to distract players it's hard enough for them at ER this season already #LUFC
— Leeds Fan in Chicago (@ChicagoWhite) December 2, 2015
https://twitter.com/BatesyLufc/status/672133462158110721
Be amazing if everyone bought a pie, threw them on the field and then watch Steve Evans trip over trying to run and get them #lufc
— Ian Fox (@FoxNo1) December 2, 2015
Then there is the simple, yet beautifully geeky simplicity of this Tweet from one of Leeds’ mathematically elite supporters,
I can think of 3.14159265359 reasons why the pie tax is a bad idea. #PieTax #lufc
— Debbington (@DebsHLUFC) December 2, 2015
With this £5 added ‘Pie Tax’ charge in mind, you’d expect some blind-baked fury at Leeds United’s attempt to earn a crust with this added surcharge. Not so, seems that Leeds United fans are countering the £5 price hike and so-called ‘Pie Tax’ with humours. It seems all gravy.