A RETIRED police officer has vowed to stand firm in a row over alleged sex discrimination with his local football club.

Dave Gooderham

A RETIRED police officer has vowed to stand firm in a row over alleged sex discrimination with his local football club.

Les King, a long time fan of AFC Sudbury, is angry with the club after learning the concessionary charge threshold was 65 years old for men and 60 for women for games at the Kings Marsh Stadium.

The 63-year-old believes the “old-fashioned” rule treats men unfairly and he has vowed to abstain from visiting the club this season.

Mr King said: “I am carrying out my boycott. I have made my point and I wish the club well but I am going to take a year out.

“It is not the money it is the principle. A few people have said to me that they acknowledge it is old- fashioned but I don't feel there are a lot of strong views either way.

“I don't have any regrets - I am very busy and I am sure I will find something else to do with my Tuesdays and Saturdays.”

He discovered the club's policy after his wife Maureen received a discount when she turned 60 and he hadn't. Mr King has written to club bosses but they say the concessions arrangement is within legal and league guidelines.

Mr King said it was common for clubs to set a concessionary threshold at 60 or 65 for both genders - at Ipswich Town FC the threshold is a flat 60.

For first team matches a full price ticket at AFC Sudbury is £7 and a concession ticket £4. A full price season ticket costs £115 or £65 for a concession.

Club chairman Ken Morris said: “As far as we are concerned there is nothing which says we have to have a concessionary rate for any age.

“The system we have is the way we have had it for many years - we are just following the legal retirement age. There won't be any changes.”