Bramall Lane, Wednesday 10 May

My third Sheffield United versus Coventry City match of the season, after watching the Under 23 game at the Blades’ training ground and the first team match at Bramall Lane, was Wednesday evening’s Under 18 play-off final between the two teams.

There was free admission and a relaxed atmosphere on a warm evening with the hosts having the better of the skirmishes and lifting the trophy with a 1-0 victory.

But there is still more football to be played in S2 as the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) League Cup Final between Penistone Church and Bridlington Town takes place on Wednesday 17th May at 7:30pm with admission priced at £5 and £3.

Under 23 Action At The Emirates

Another Twitter follower has kindly sent me a picture of their evening at an Under 23 fixture, this time it was Monday's clash between Arsenal and Manchester United.

@AffordableFooty exellent evening down at the emirates pic.twitter.com/EmsCFft4Pr

— T°B¥ K£MPT*π (@tobykempton) 8 May 2017

Those in attendance saw an exciting 2-2 draw and an excellent personal display from Arsenal's signing from Non-League earlier in the year, Cohen Bramall.

Time For A Championship Price Cap?

An exciting final day in the Championship, needing little in the way of persuading people to attend the matches that mattered, but I do feel it is time that the competition moved to address the situation whereby away supporters are paying more for some matches than they would in the top-flight.

An article from The Mag, a Newcastle United fanzine, highlights that Magpies fans will spend less on tickets for games at Wembley (Spurs), the Emirates, Old Trafford and the rest in 2017/18 than they have done this season at a number of Championship grounds.

I’ve written in the past about how money from television rights can and will distort the price that people pay to watch football, which is why I’m wary of headlines that simply contrast two figures without going into the detail of how important gate money is to clubs outside of the top divisions.

But that doesn’t mean that the Championship, which is a league that increasingly stand apart from Leagues One and Two and which the EFL constantly market as one of the most successful in the world in terms of attendance figures, shouldn’t then use its increasing financial clout to make moves on capping ticket prices.

The Premier League clubs have been extremely shrewd with their £30 limit for away supporters, coupled with individual initiatives from clubs which sometimes reduce that figure for certain matches or which subsidise travel. It means that the competition continues to play in front of full houses with vibrant atmospheres, which is attractive to television audiences (I write as someone with little love for what the top division of English football has become but also someone who is probably not the target audience for it).

With Championship matches subject to as much disruption for live television than games in the top-flight (there have been a number of Friday night fixtures this season for example) then it is surely in the interests of the EFL to avoid the unflattering comparisons that there have been with prices for away supporters in the top-flight.

Under 23 Action At Pride Park

Thanks to @deany75 on Twitter for sending me this picture of Friday night's U23 match at Pride Park between Derby County and Chelsea.

@AffordableFooty You Rams! pic.twitter.com/x6lbRp6jh7

— Kevin Dean (@deany75) 5 May 2017

It has been another season of twists and turns for Derby supporters but those who took advantage of free admission to this game saw a 2-1 victory for the home side that guaranteed their place in the top-flight of Under 23 football.

Two Free Matches In One Week At Goodison Park

Everton are throwing open the doors of the grand old ground on Monday 8th May at 7pm for the Under-23 Merseyside derby against Liverpool and also for Everton Ladies WSL2 Spring Series fixture against Watford on Sunday 14th May at 2pm.

Both games will offer the opportunity for supporters to donate to the club's 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' campaign.

Scottish Survival Special!

Some crucial matches at the bottom end of the various Scottish divisions this weekend and some reduced prices as well.

Raith Rovers currently occupy the relegation play-off place in the Championship but a win at home to bottom club Ayr United, coupled with defeat for St Mirren against champions Hibs could see them move above the dotted line.

Ticket prices have been reduced to £5 at Stark's Park with accompanied Under 16's £2. 

In League One, Peterhead are bottom of the table heading into the final day of action but could earn themselves a second chance at staying up by going above Stenhousemuir and into the play-offs.

The Blue Toon are repeating their recent 'Fitba for a Fiver' offer for the visit of Alloa Athletic which means entry for £5 (home and away fans), Under 12's free and a complimentary ticket for season ticket holders.

And, at the foot of League Two a point is the requirement for Berwick Rangers to avoid a play-off with the winner of the promotion showdown between the winners of the Highland and Lowland Leagues.

Berwick host Edinburgh City (promoted through the play-off last season) on Saturday and have knocked £2 off the usual matchday prices meaning it will be £10 Adults, £5 Concessions.

Lyon and Paris St Germain Set For Cardiff Showpiece

The 2017 Women's Champions League Final will take place at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday 1st June at 7:45pm and, after this weekend's semi-final second legs, it will be an all-French occasion in the Principality.

Manchester City's 1-0 victory away to Lyon, the goal scored by USA star Carli Lloyd, was not enough to see the Women's Super League champions through to the final as Lyon had brought a 3-1 lead back from the Academy Stadium in the first leg.

PSG gained a measure of revenge for their men's side by completing a 5-1 aggregate victory against Barcelona to set up the final, tickets for which have been priced at just £6 for Adults and £3 for Juniors and Seniors..

Manchester City will try again in next season's Champions League after winning the FA WSL last time around and also have the Women's FA Cup Final at Wembley to look forward to against Birmingham City on Saturday May 13.

Tickets are priced at £15 for Adults, £5 for Concessions (OAP's and Students) and free for Children.

Meanwhile, the domestic Spring Series has a busy schedule between now and early June alhough there is no doubt that the demise of Notts County Ladies just days before the start of the season is a huge blow to the credibility of the Women's game and raises questions about the viability of teams unless they are financially underpinned by their parent clubs.

In WSL 2, Everton Ladies will be in action at Goodison Park on Sunday 14 May with admission free for the 2pm kick-off against Watford.