Post by Admin on Feb 1, 2013 18:07:08 GMT
Yesterday, 31/01/13, we displayed a banner with the words "Saturday 3pm" surrounded by '£' signs at Leicester.
Why did we do this?
We engaged in this action because we're sick of Sky's meddling with the fixture list. Football is traditionally played on a Saturday 3pm. Instead, Wolves' game against Leicester was rescheduled to take place at 7:45 on a Thursday night. This is wrong for various reasons.
Firstly, Thursday night football makes it extremely hard for the travelling fan to get to the game and back and prepare for work / school the next day. There is absolutely no consideration for these fans. However, it is not just limited to travelling away fans - we are well aware that there are plenty of Leicester fans who also do not live in Leicester.
Secondly, it is "deadline day" (as named by Sky). Playing a football match on the last day of the transfer window can severely inhibit the strength and morale of the squads involved. What if players are still agreeing personal terms for contracts? Most managers and fans will acknowledge the January transfer window is busiest in the last few days. A football match scheduled on this day means that the clubs involved will find it extremely difficult to try and buy / sell players.
What do we want changing?
It should be obvious to the reader - we want a return to the Saturday 3pm kick offs. Not these Thursday night kick offs to please the "audience" who want their fix of football with no recognition of the circumstances clubs and fans find themselves in.
"Barclays Premier League matches are not televised in the UK between the hours of 3pm and 5pm on a Saturday primarily in order to protect match attendances and atmosphere."
We disagree with this statement. We believe that some – not all – of the problems of modern football can be solved by allowing 3pm fixtures to be televised. Attendances won’t be reduced as long as ticket prices are reasonable. Atmosphere can and will improve with increased attendances. Other factors such as unreserved seating will also contribute massively to the atmosphere. Let’s not forget the atmosphere is part of Sky’s “product”. Without it, it isn’t really football?
Fixtures won’t have to be moved to Thursday, Friday nights etc if they are allowed to be televised at Saturday 3pm. This is where the FA and the Premier League come into the equation. If they change these rulings – to the benefit of the supporters – then many fixtures will be saved from rescheduling.
What we ultimately want is the return to
Saturday 3pm.
Why did we do this?
We engaged in this action because we're sick of Sky's meddling with the fixture list. Football is traditionally played on a Saturday 3pm. Instead, Wolves' game against Leicester was rescheduled to take place at 7:45 on a Thursday night. This is wrong for various reasons.
Firstly, Thursday night football makes it extremely hard for the travelling fan to get to the game and back and prepare for work / school the next day. There is absolutely no consideration for these fans. However, it is not just limited to travelling away fans - we are well aware that there are plenty of Leicester fans who also do not live in Leicester.
Secondly, it is "deadline day" (as named by Sky). Playing a football match on the last day of the transfer window can severely inhibit the strength and morale of the squads involved. What if players are still agreeing personal terms for contracts? Most managers and fans will acknowledge the January transfer window is busiest in the last few days. A football match scheduled on this day means that the clubs involved will find it extremely difficult to try and buy / sell players.
What do we want changing?
It should be obvious to the reader - we want a return to the Saturday 3pm kick offs. Not these Thursday night kick offs to please the "audience" who want their fix of football with no recognition of the circumstances clubs and fans find themselves in.
"Barclays Premier League matches are not televised in the UK between the hours of 3pm and 5pm on a Saturday primarily in order to protect match attendances and atmosphere."
We disagree with this statement. We believe that some – not all – of the problems of modern football can be solved by allowing 3pm fixtures to be televised. Attendances won’t be reduced as long as ticket prices are reasonable. Atmosphere can and will improve with increased attendances. Other factors such as unreserved seating will also contribute massively to the atmosphere. Let’s not forget the atmosphere is part of Sky’s “product”. Without it, it isn’t really football?
Fixtures won’t have to be moved to Thursday, Friday nights etc if they are allowed to be televised at Saturday 3pm. This is where the FA and the Premier League come into the equation. If they change these rulings – to the benefit of the supporters – then many fixtures will be saved from rescheduling.
What we ultimately want is the return to
Saturday 3pm.