Dean Windass: Cut ticket prices to £15 and KC Stadium will be packed to rafters for Hull City games

THE report of the rising price of watching football made interesting reading this week, with many fans saying they are struggling to afford to follow their team, writes Dean Windass.

I know there has been some dispute over the figures published, with Hull City saying they were not accurate, but the fact is, across the board, football is far too expensive.

I can say for certain that if I wasn’t in the privileged position of often being able to secure complimentary tickets, I wouldn’t be going to football matches.

It would be too expensive for me to take my two boys to a game regularly, and this is nothing new, it was the same when I was playing for City in the Premier League.

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In my opinion, loyal fans, who want to watch their local side, are being priced out of the game, and we have certainly started to see that this season.

Times are tough, people are struggling for spare cash, and football will not come top of the priority list for families when they are looking at their costs.

Hull City are a prime example this season, as crowds are significantly down, yet the Tigers have started the season in good style and are playing some excellent football.

I can say without doubt that should they drop the top price to £15 a ticket, throughout the season and not just for the lesser games, the KC Stadium would be packed week after week.

Unfortunately though, I cannot see that happening.

In fact, I fear that in time, with all the money still pouring into the game through television rights and sponsorships, it will only get worse.

The richer will get richer and the poorer will get poorer. I don’t know how many clubs in League One and League Two will cope.

Hopefully, clubs will look long and hard at the situation and start providing some offers which really are of value for fans.

When Bradford City made it into the Premier League, they came up with a five-year season pass which offered great value for money, so it can be done if clubs are committed to doing the best for their fans.

For me, at present, football just doesn’t represent value for money.

You could pay around £100 for a few hours, and at the end of the day, football has no guarantee of providing an entertaining afternoon.

At present, I would always choose to sit at home in front of my television, watching a game, rather than having to pay £30 for the privilege of being at the ground. Many others must feel the same way.

I'll do my time for drink-drive shame

AS people will know, I appeared in court this week to admit drink-driving.

It is something I am thoroughly ashamed of and quite rightly I was banned from driving for more than two years.

I was also ordered to do 250 hours unpaid work, which will start next Friday with my first shift in a charity shop.

As I said previously, I cannot explain my actions that night, but I hold my hands up to what I did, will serve my sentence, and will never make the same mistake again.

I certainly want to thank the Hull City fans who have been very supportive and understanding.

There have also been many people who have let me know how angry with me they are for what I did, and I understand that fully.

Now, I am trying to focus on working, and getting on with life in the right way.