CLAPTON supporters will stage a protest tonight outside the Old Spotted Dog against the unannounced £1 ticket price rise.

The increase in price, from £6 to £7, was allegedly meant for the players according to manager Jonny Fowell. However, 24 hours later, chief executive Vince McBean told fans via local newspaper the Newham Recorder that the money would be going towards paying club fines.

The change in price wasn’t announced prior to the home game on November 22 and supporters have decided that tonight’s game against Hullbridge Sports is the perfect game to tell the club’s board that enough is enough.

A statement from the fans said: “For some, paying an extra pound at the gate won’t hit too hard but for others it could, particularly OAPs, students and others on low incomes who are all expected to shoulder the same increase.

“Many people come to Clapton do so because it is affordable.

“But with an administration that feels it can disregard fans so easily, yet another door to affordable football could be closed.”

The club are yet to receive a fine this season in relation to supporter conduct which has called into question the real reason behind the sudden increase in ticket prices.

McBean said the club took over £40,000 in gate receipts alone last season which has left fans baffled as to why the club have ditched the youth and reserve teams in a bid to “scale back operations.”

The statement added: “In addition to the unannounced price rise, supporters found at the gate they were now subject to invasive searches by SIA security staff.

“Again, there was no prior warning as the club clearly did not respect fans enough to notify in advance the new measures.

“We don’t want to be subjected to invasive searches at our own ground and we don’t want ticket prices put up without any discussion, notice or consultation and without clear reason.

“Clapton’s finances are a mystery and fans are frozen out.

“No-one knows where our money goes, we have no say over what it’s spent on as ‘membership’ has been officially ‘closed for restructuring’ since 2012.

“An initial £1 price rise and turnstile searches might not sound a lot to some but it’s about much more than that. We’re calling on Vince McBean to meet with supporters to discuss these issues.”