GREAT Wakering Rovers’ football chairman has responded to claims that the club is over-charging for matchday tickets this season.

Wakering topped the charts in a recent study looking into how much it costs to watch a match in the Essex Senior League.

Rovers charge £9 for an adult ticket, which includes a programme.

The study, carried out by an unaffiliated Clapton FC website, indicates the next highest price is £7 while six clubs charge just £5 for entry.

But Dave Patience, who was named football chairman following the departure of John Galley in June, has said support for Wakering has remained steadfast.

“Admission to watch a Great Wakering match costs £9, and includes a £2 programme,” said Patience, who was formerly the club’s director of football.

“So in real terms, we have talked to people and have done our research and supporters who come to watch our games have not complained to our gateman.

“We had 103 people come and watch the Southend Manor game and 31 come and watch the reserves last weekend, which is more than some Essex Senior League teams would get through the gate.

“If people choose to go and watch another club there is nothing we can do about it.

“But I think it is a mountain out of a molehill.”

Patience, who is also first-team assistant manager, was also critical of a number of users of social media, claiming those criticising the club’s prices on Twitter were ‘insignificant people’.

He added the club was in a stable financial position and is looking to continue stabilising the club on and off the pitch over the coming season.

Wakering are currently fifth in the league standings.

“We are not going on Twitter every minute of the day as we don’t need to,” said Patience.

“We will put all relevant information on our official account.

“I think people hide behind social media.

“The club is trying to be ruined by insignificant people. But this is a small minority who are hiding behind abusive social media comments.

“Iain and I want to take this club forward,” he added.

“There is no pressure on Iain or the club to go back up to step four this season.

“We want to get promotion but it has become a yo-yo club.

“We want stability and we are running things very well in terms of the administrative side of things.

“The team secured a good result in their last match (5-0 win at Wadham Lodge) and I look forward to the season ahead.”