How John Terry's Fan Phone Call Can Improve Things for Chelsea Fans
Chelsea are top of the Premier League and continue to dominate, but the agenda has switched this week.
It's normally the Chelsea players making headlines, although after Jose Mourinho's comments regarding the club's supporters and the poor atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, the focus has been turned on the terraces.
"Everybody was sleeping," Mourinho told the press, referring to the Chelsea fans after Saturday's 2-1 victory over QPR.
"I took 30 minutes to understand the stadium was not empty," he continued. "When we scored it was when I realised: 'Whoa, the stadium is full.'"
Since then, Mourinho has come in for criticism from some sections of the Chelsea support, while John Terry has promised fans he will ask the club to look into the pricing structure of tickets to attend games at Stamford Bridge.
It is believed many younger fans are being priced out of attending games, which is contributing to a poor atmosphere inside the stadium.
Blues captain Terry responded to an Instagram message from one supporter on the back of the QPR win, going so far as to call him to discuss his concerns.
According to a report by Ben Rumsby in The Telegraph, during the telephone call Terry agreed with fan Joe Davies that ticket prices at Chelsea were "ridiculous."
So where now? Bleacher Report looks at how Terry's phone call can lead to improvements for fans at Chelsea.
Reduced Ticket Prices
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The key part of John Terry's phone call with Chelsea fan Joe Davies this week was the price of tickets at Stamford Bridge.
In The Telegraph report on the phone call, Davies explained he and other young fans are being priced out of attending games, that since he turned 18 his ticket price has more than doubled.
"Now I’m 18, I’m expected to pay £50 for a game against Hull, even though I’m only on an apprenticeship at the moment," he said.
"It has become so expensive following football now that many proper fans are being priced out of going to Stamford Bridge and being replaced by tourists who of course won't be singing or making noise."
Can Terry's influence help reduce the ticket price? That remains to be seen, but he has promised to address the situation with the board.
One idea could be to stagger prices, giving fans aged 18-21 a cheaper ticket or even creating sections of the stadium where tickets are priced at a reduced rate.
Another area may be to follow the lead set by London's theatres, who offer a limited number of tickets at a reduced rate to younger audience members.
The idea behind that initiative is to attract young people through the doors, something that is just as vital to football clubs. After all, the younger generations are the future of their fan base.
Singing Sections to Be Put Back on the Agenda
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Let's remember, it's not all about money when it comes to the atmosphere inside a stadium.
To the credit of Chelsea fans, the subject of creating singing sections inside Stamford Bridge has long been on the agenda.
Since the stadium was redeveloped in the 1990s, the all-seater requirements have impacted where fans watch matches from. Some groups are together, while others wanting to sing are separated from the rest.
All in all, it doesn't make for the ideal environment where fans can work together.
It's not just at Chelsea—this has had an impact on teams across the Premier League and the atmosphere home fans can create.
Not only that, but seating regulations mean fans are often reprimanded for persistent standing, making it difficult to sustain singing.
Now John Terry has raised the point of addressing concerns with the club's board, perhaps the subject of creating singing sections among the support can be returned to.
Discussions Surrounding Safe Standing
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Next year is an election year in the UK, and the Liberal Democrats have been trying to score points with football fans by backing the return of safe standing in the country's football stadia, per BBC Sport.
The belief, leading on from our previous slide about singing sections, is that it will add to the experience of watching matches and, with more fans safely on their feet, improve the atmosphere.
Premier League clubs such as Aston Villa and Swansea City back proposals by the Football Supporters' Foundation to introduce rail seats used in Germany, where supporters can stand at games.
The seats are locked in an upright position, but for Champions League matches, where regulations are different, they are unlocked to ensure the stadium complies with safety.
It's proved a big success in the Bundesliga, and with the pressure of the club captain to look into the matchday experience at Chelsea, the club could become another in the Premier League to consider the notion.
Reclaiming the Shed End
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Another moot point of Stamford Bridge being redeveloped is that the fans have lost control of the Shed End.
These days, they share it with the away supporters.
Prior to the modern stadium being built, the Shed was the stand to watch games from. It was the traditional home end.
Jose Mourinho's comments have put everything back on the agenda at Chelsea once more and now with John Terry getting involved, can he exert some influence in this area?
Taking back the Shed would engulf the pitch at Stamford Bridge, with the Matthew Harding Stand opposite helping to create a cauldron of noise and passion bouncing back and forth.
The biggest issue would be where to house the away supporters, who would have to sit in the East Stand or West Stand, where many corporate and hospitality seats are located.
Reduced Player Salaries
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Is football out of control? Have inflated salaries meant footballers have lost touch with the common man?
It all depends on opinion, but for all of John Terry's promises to address the price of tickets to attend matches, the Chelsea captain must understand he is a part of the problem.
Indeed, the Chelsea captain is treading a fine line by undertaking this noble cause, opening himself up to unwanted scrutiny given how handsomely he has been paid throughout his career.
In order for Chelsea to pay their players the salaries they do, the club needs investment. That comes in many different ways through TV rights, shirt sponsorship, kit deals and, of course, ticket sales.
In the modern era, ticket sales alone do not cover the running costs of a club, but they do play their part.
Are players going to take a hit by reducing their salaries to help ease the burden on supporters?
It wouldn't be the only solution, but it would play a significant part.
Something's got to give.
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Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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