13th May 2007
Supermarkets unveil no-frills Premiership range
The no-frills Premiership players in action |
Speaking at the launch of the Tesco Value Ground that has opened just down the road from Manchester United's Old Trafford, chief executive Sir Terry Leahy said that he promised to offer a "no-frills" version of top-flight football.
"Consumers are paying through the nose for what is nine-tenths brand image and only one-tenth quality. By offering customers a choice and cutting out the frills, Tesco hopes to knock on the head yet another example of 'rip-off Britain'," Sir Terry stated before cutting the simple Tesco Value ribbon at the ground.
No old pros
Meanwhile, down in London, Asda similarly launched its Smartprice Stadium not far from Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, while in Liverpool, the Sainsbury's Basics Municipal Football Ground will also open to fans next month.
Like Tesco, they both criticised the "over-priced" and "often-shoddy" brands of the Premiership and instead said that they will cut out the luxuries while maintaining the quality.
"It means that none of players have flash cars, they'll play in our own-brand kits and there will be no WAGs, gambling addictions or geriatric prostitutes to fund," said Andy Bond, Asda's head.
Eastern promise
He added that the supermarket had reached a deal with the Far East to source players for "a fraction of the price" that British suppliers could offer.
While many shoppers have welcomed the new stadiums, others have criticised the drab colour schemes inside, the plastic chairs and only providing own-brand pies and beer.
Football clubs are apparently also blasé to the "competition", saying that consumers were wiling to pay a steep premium "to see the brands they want" and are unlikely to be driven out of business, despite the fact that the supermarkets plan to start offering "top-flight" rugby, cricket and golf all in "the one, convenient location".
"Consumers are paying through the nose for what is nine-tenths brand image and only one-tenth quality. By offering customers a choice and cutting out the frills, Tesco hopes to knock on the head yet another example of 'rip-off Britain'," Sir Terry stated before cutting the simple Tesco Value ribbon at the ground.
No old pros
Meanwhile, down in London, Asda similarly launched its Smartprice Stadium not far from Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, while in Liverpool, the Sainsbury's Basics Municipal Football Ground will also open to fans next month.
Like Tesco, they both criticised the "over-priced" and "often-shoddy" brands of the Premiership and instead said that they will cut out the luxuries while maintaining the quality.
"It means that none of players have flash cars, they'll play in our own-brand kits and there will be no WAGs, gambling addictions or geriatric prostitutes to fund," said Andy Bond, Asda's head.
Eastern promise
He added that the supermarket had reached a deal with the Far East to source players for "a fraction of the price" that British suppliers could offer.
While many shoppers have welcomed the new stadiums, others have criticised the drab colour schemes inside, the plastic chairs and only providing own-brand pies and beer.
Football clubs are apparently also blasé to the "competition", saying that consumers were wiling to pay a steep premium "to see the brands they want" and are unlikely to be driven out of business, despite the fact that the supermarkets plan to start offering "top-flight" rugby, cricket and golf all in "the one, convenient location".
