BeatBarry.com

15th August, 2009

FAN-CY THAT

NEWS COPY

Manchester City may be one of the richest clubs in the world - but their fans are among the poorest in Britain, a study found yesterday (Fri).

Supporters of the mega-rich Eastlands outfit - which has shelled out nearly #100million in a summer transfers - came third from bottom in a study to find Britain's wealthiest fans.

The report found followers of the Arab-owned club have an average annual salary of just #20,000, drive a car worth #5,000 and a house valued at #132,000.

But Chelsea fans emerged as England's richest - dwarfing City supporters' bank balances with a typical pay packet of #31,500-a-year.

And in true Abramovich style, they also out-pimp City supporters' cars by owning a set of wheels worth #17,000 and living in luxury with a house estimated at around #202,000.

Second place in the Football Fan Rich List were Tottenham Hotspurs' loyal supporters, followed by Arsenal's in third.

Fans of newly-promoted Burnley came bottom of the league.

A spokesperson for www.BeatBarry.com, who commissioned the survey to mark the launch of their new football prediction game, said: ''Manchester City followers need to up their game if they want to be in the same league as Chelsea fans.

''They might have rich owners who can splash out their cash on the likes of Adebayor and Tevez, but they need to look after their pennies.

''It’s no surprise to see Chelsea up at the top and the other big London clubs. They have a loyal ban base with supporters around the country and obviously have some money to spend.

''There does seem to be a north/south divide, with those nearer the big smoke having more money to treat themselves on cars, holidays and nights out.

''Our prediction site helps create a level playing field and makes sure the Premiership isn't about how much money you have in your pocket.

The study of 5,000 footy fans spanning across the 20 Premiership teams looked at their average salary, cost of car and house value.

Other factors included cost of yearly holidays, weekly shopping spends, in-home entertainment and cost of home improvements.

The survey found Fulham fans are most likely to live in a detached house, with Wigan supporters probably owning a flat.

Arsenal enthusiasts spend more than anyone else on family holidays a year - forking out nearly #2,000, nearly twice as much as Man City's average fan.

The typical weekly shop for Chelsea devotees comes to #100, but only #56 for Wigan lovers.

The study found Fulham, Birmingham and Everton followers are the biggest party animals, guzzling on at least #30 worth of alcohol a week.

Tottenham living rooms are worth nearly #2,000, compared to West Ham's #1,700 and Burnley's #1,300.

Whereas Wolverhampton folk splash out most on home improvements - #880 a year - Manchester City's supporters spend a measly #473.

RICHEST FANS
AVERAGE SALARY
1. Chelsea     #31,435
2. Tottenham      #29,644
3. Arsenal     #28,884
4. Man Utd    #23,477
5. Liverpool     #22,968
6. Fulham     #22,940
7. West Ham     #22,368
8. Birmingham    #22,305
9. Aston Villa     #21,699
10. Everton    #21,642
11. Portsmouth     #21,224
12. Blackburn     #21,112
13. Sunderland     #21,066
14. Bolton     #20,979
15. Wolverhampton     #20,865
16. Hull                     #20,828
17. Stoke     #20,690
18. Man City     #20,335
19. Wigan     #18,679
20. Burnley     #18,478
ENDS

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