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That type of thinking isn't new though. Back in the mid 80's, due to the forced absence of English clubs from European competition, the top two divisions came up with ‘The Full Members Cup’, a third domestic cup competition with a Wembley final.

I asked a Manchester City director, who happened to be on the same train as me to an away game, how the extra games could be justified. Surely, even from the club's point of view, by the time the costs of staging a game had been taken away, the low crowds the matches would attract wouldn't make it worthwhile.

The answer was as short-sighted as the ones you've heard from the game's administrators during the last few weeks.

Man City playing in front of empty seats

"We need a gate of 4000 to break even," I was told, "so if 4001 turn up, it will be worth the game being played."

After I'd picked my jaw off the ground, I wondered if these extra games could snap the loyalty of committed fans like me – after all, once I'd missed one game, maybe I'd get out of the habit and miss others, the ones they wanted me to attend…

"Not really bothered, it's just numbers that matter; in fact, fans like you who go every week don't produce as much turnover as those who visit now and again. They buy more stuff in the club shop!"

That was back in the 1980's, but nothing changes. It all adds up to one big question: do you want better value football like they have in somewhere like Germany or the allegedly better, if over paid, players we have in the Premier League?

Schalke 04 and their fans in unison

At my other team, Schalke 04 - a club who are, trust me, pretty typical - fans pay less than a tenner to stand behind the goal, and that ticket includes public transport to and from the game from a 30 mile radius. Food and drink prices inside grounds are the same as you'd pay on the high street and programmes are usually free - at most, you'd pay around 60p.

As a result, Schalke sell out every home game – that’s just over 61,000 even for Intertoto Cup games – while over 100,000 attend their open day at the beginning of each season, and best of all, it’s all goes to create a fantastic atmosphere.

Of course, the down side is that German clubs don't generally have the same clout in the transfer market, so don't progress as far as English clubs in the European competitions.

So there’s the question again: what is it you really want - better value for money, teams who still care about supporters and better atmosphere at games or richer clubs, big name players and the chance to play Fulham in the United Arab Emirates? If you still care, stand up for what you believe in.Ìý

Your comments

Paul Rowbotham of Salford

Just wanted to say I thought your column was magnificent and shown a real honest insight in to what is happening in football today. One thing though, you ended the piece with "If you still care, stand up for what you believe in." I wanted to know how you think we would do that? I am a Manchester United season ticket holder from Salford and have to pay for every game and cup ties. It annoys me how the football club treat us but if i and others were to take a stand there would be another thousand waiting to sit in our seats and more.