‘Who ate all the pies?’ is a favourite old football chant. Some years ago Charlton had a rotund trainer who used to throw a pie into the crowd after each time he went on the pitch. But now a pie war has broken out between an established supplier and a newcomer. As always when there is real competition, the fan as consumer could benefit.
‘Who ate all the pies?’ is a favourite old football chant. Some years ago Charlton had a rotund trainer who used to throw a pie into the crowd after each time he went on the pitch. But now a pie war has broken out between an established supplier and a newcomer. As always when there is real competition, the fan as consumer could benefit.
Welsh-based piemaker Peter’s Food Services hopes to increase the number of grounds it supplies with pies from 38 to more than 70 after swooping for the former managing director of top rival, Holland’s Pies. Holland’s is currently the dominant supplier to clubs.
Just two years ago Peter’s was selling pies at just four grounds. But they hit on the idea of offering free pies to supporters travelling away on coaches at clubs where the firm wins new business. Birmingham City fans are among those to have benefitted after the club ditched a rival supplier.
Pies can represent significant business for clubs offering high margins. They cost between 50p and £1 but are generally sold at grounds for between £2.50 and £3.50.
All of us have had good and bad experiences with pies at games. My favourite was Cornish pasty I had many years ago at Falmouth Town. However, Peter’s intends to tackle the bane of buying a pie, the half-time queue. Mobile vendors will hawk the pies around the ground.