NOW IT’S NEVER ON A SATURDAY

THERE was a golden age of football when every game would kick off at 3pm Saturday.

But as a sign of how things have changed, consider this: Manchester United have kicked off in that slot just six times this season.

It is similar for other big clubs. Manchester City had seven traditional slots before Christmas but have had none since the turn of the year.

City (top) have become the Premier League’s great entertainers so broadcasters want to show Pep Guardiola’s champions-elect live on TV, and no Saturday 3pm games are ever shown live

Broadcasters pay huge sums to screen games and are within their rights to switch fixtures so this is not a plea for the return of the good old days.

It is, however, a plea for fans to be taken into account.

The Premier League is a global game, an event which attracts fans from all over the world, but how can those fans plan their trips with confidence when kick-offs are a movable feast?

Arsenal have two games coming up which have twice been shifted in the schedule.

The Gunners were due to play Southampton a week tomorrow at 3pm. First it got switched to a Monday night for TV coverage – and then back to Sunday, April 8 at 2.15pm because Arsene Wenger (below) and his men have a Europa League game the following Thursday.

They had the same issue with a West Ham home game which is now scheduled for Sunday, April 23.

It is understandable that games are switched to help Arsenal’s European campaign.

But Monday-night fixtures have become increasingly difficult to schedule because of the involvement of Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League.

You could argue that clubs could turn down the TV cash but that’s hardly going to happen given the huge sums involved.

The prospect of a Christmas Eve fixture between Arsenal and Liverpool triggered a huge outcry yet the recent rearranged fixtures have sparked little controversy. But you can bet a lot of fans will be out of pocket on air fares, weekend trips, and time off work to get to Monday-night matches.

In trying to do right by English clubs in Europe, the Premier League are making fans suffer. Sadly, there is no pleasing everyone.