"early next week"
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Fixture Changes
- Thread starter Trents
- Start date
There is only one response to that, which is a hearty „f*** OFF“.Could be worse - it seems plans are afoot to further f*ck actual fans by having games on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve football: An unwanted present - Football Supporters' Association
Reports suggest the Premier League and broadcasters are set to ignore supporters and schedule a Christmas Eve fixture for the first time since 1995. It’s an unwanted present which no-one asked for.thefsa.org.uk
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Christmas Eve football: An unwanted present
Posted on 20th October 2023
Reports suggest the Premier League and broadcasters are set to ignore supporters and schedule a Christmas Eve fixture for the first time since 1995. It’s an unwanted present which no-one asked for.
The Express and Star’s Liam Keen reports that Wolves v Chelsea has been selected – and the FSA is in contact with supporters’ groups at both clubs with Mark Meehan, chair of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, saying the decision would be “totally unacceptable”.
Meehan added: “During a time when we ought to be helping supporters travel to away fixtures, it’s outrageous that another hurdle could be placed in their way.”
It would be a huge kick in the teeth for supporters who have consistently made clear their opposition to games the day before Christmas – as it’s not the first time this has been proposed.
Back in October 2017 there were reports that Sky Sports wanted to broadcast games on Christmas Eve which we said represented “a new low point in putting the interests of football broadcasters over those of matchgoing fans”.
It would put many supporters in an impossible choice between going to the match or spending festive time with their families – and that’s before you factor in the added challenges of travelling on a Sunday (which Christmas Eve falls on this year).
In the past decade or so Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday in 2011, 2016 and 2022 while 2017 was a Sunday. There was no top-flight football on those days which suggests an informal policy the Premier League is now looking to backtrack on.
No doubt some at the Premier League or broadcasters will make the case that there’s already Boxing Day football but that overlooks one very important factor…
The Christmas Eve fixture would presumably be in ADDITION to a Boxing Day game (or another game that week). It’s not likely to be a replacement. It’s just making things much, much more difficult for matchgoing supporters.
Boxing Day games bring their own logistical challenges, particularly for those travelling longer distances, but it’s an accepted tradition which happens to take place AFTER the big day, not before it. And Boxing Day is already a public holiday – another key difference.
Earlier this week the Premier League also announced an additional 70 broadcast fixtures from 2025, further compounding the disregard for matchgoing fans.
Supporters’ groups on the FSA’s Premier League Network have made clear their opposition to such fixtures in the past and we’ll be looking at ways to make those views crystal clear to the clubs, Premier League and the broadcasters.
They’re all complicit in this unwanted present.
What do Wolves 1877 Trust say?
“Wolves 1877 Supporters Trust strongly condemns the proposal to play our home fixture with Chelsea on Christmas Eve. This potential scheduling once again shows a complete lack of consideration and respect for fans, especially Wolves fans who travel from further afield, and of course visiting Chelsea supporters.
“We also feel that this is unfair on club staff, especially those with young children, who will have planned to spend Christmas with their families. We urge the Premier League to consider this decision very carefully before making an announcement.”
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There are reasons that many, more enlightened, Leagues, enforce a winter break, because it - of course - covers the traditional holiday-period.
More fixture bollocksing-about-of.
If anyone knows why the Bentford game has been moved by a week, please advise.
Well..it's official now, the bastards.
Chelsea Supporters' Trust has this to say on the matter:
DanR
Steve Chettle
Those 2 weekends are the nearest we have to a mid season break. Half of the fixtures are played 1 week and the other half the next weekend. Sky will have decided that our game fits better with their schedule in the 2nd weekend.
Rzar
Bob McKinlay
It is completely unacceptable they have put the Brentford game forward a week, because the difference is we now lose about 9 extra players for that game because of AFCON. It wasn't an issue at the original date.
Forest should be appealing that, if you even can because that affects us massively.
Forest should be appealing that, if you even can because that affects us massively.
AFCON starts 13th Jan, players will be with the national squads before that so they would miss the original date as well
It makes no odds tbh. AFCON starts on 13th Jan, so we'd have released players before then regardless.
Otis Redding
Try A Little Tenderness
We all willingly signed-up to accept this when that final-whistle was blown at Wembley.....but it's still fu cking bollocks!!
FBS
Steve Chettle
Utter bollocks.
None of those kick off times are helpful for anyone living beyond the local area (home or away fans).
Good kick off times for those watching elsewhere though
Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk
None of those kick off times are helpful for anyone living beyond the local area (home or away fans).
Good kick off times for those watching elsewhere though
Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk
Wickio
Robbie Findley
So the traveling fans either have to stay in Newcastle overnight on Christmas Day or leave at about 6am on Boxing Day to make the game. Nice.
Bonfy177
LTLF MORON
Get ready for Christmas Day fixtures coming to a Premier League ground near you soon.
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GOBIAS
Ian Bowyer
That's that then
JohhnyM
Viv Anderson
Puts me in the shit for three of those rearrangements.
GOBIAS
Ian Bowyer
They’ve changed that many of the games I could have done to Friday or Monday nights I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get over.
Haych
John Robertson
It didn’t feel like we had this many games moved last season.
We’re clearly a massive draw, or my memory is awful. I prefer the first option.
We’re clearly a massive draw, or my memory is awful. I prefer the first option.
Since the paying fans are clearly unimportant in this, and fixtures are moved without any regard for those attending, it really makes that unnecessary swingeing season ticket price hike in the close-season a proper insult.
Rockabilly
GAFF LAD. "Open your knees and feel the breeze"
They used to play on Christmas Day back in the day.Get ready for Christmas Day fixtures coming to a Premier League ground near you soon.
Still - should make it easier for those missing out on the away day experience to access tickets!
Bonfy177
LTLF MORON
Yip and as far as I’m aware our American cousins play major sport on Christmas Day…it will happen within 5 years with the new TV deal sadly
Omar Devone Little
Mr Realistic
The broadcasters couldn't care less about the average fan.
But at the end of the day, that's what we're after. You have to accept that if you're in the Premier League you're part of a globally-watched product.
You can't laud it over £30m signings and signing international players then moan that the TV companies are making you rearrange your travel plans.
But at the end of the day, that's what we're after. You have to accept that if you're in the Premier League you're part of a globally-watched product.
You can't laud it over £30m signings and signing international players then moan that the TV companies are making you rearrange your travel plans.
Globally watched*
*Except for viewers in - er - the UK, who are the actual people who actually pay money to actually turn up at actual games and provide the atmosphere.
Those people aren't allowed to watch most of their club's games on TV because it's illegal.
To watch the games they are graciously allowed to view they have to subscribe to Sky, BTSport AND Amazon, in order to not be able to watch most of their club's games.
But yes, globally watched.
*Except for viewers in - er - the UK, who are the actual people who actually pay money to actually turn up at actual games and provide the atmosphere.
Those people aren't allowed to watch most of their club's games on TV because it's illegal.
To watch the games they are graciously allowed to view they have to subscribe to Sky, BTSport AND Amazon, in order to not be able to watch most of their club's games.
But yes, globally watched.
Otis Redding
Try A Little Tenderness
They did indeed Gary, and Boxing Day. I remember going. Unlike today, there was also a decent, if limited, public transport service.
YellowBelly Red
Viv Anderson
Could have made the Burnley - Liverpool game the lunchtime KO on Boxing Day, as they are much closer.