Sky again show utter disdain for genuine fans
This evening, pubs and clubs across the British Isles will be packed with revellers toasting the end of a tiring week back at work.
The more sensible ones will be tucked up in bed looking forward to a Saturday morning lie-in, but, in a freezing cold car park, under cover of darkness, a hearty band of supporters prepare to embark on a 14hour round trip for a game of football.
These dedicated few attempt to get some sleep in those famously comfy coach seats as the low light of orange lamps guide the way. Waking every now and then, slightly disoriented and walking around a nameless service station like a zombie clawing through bland sandwiches for any form of sustenance.
Onlookers ponder the question of why they do this but through the sheer sense of duty they are bound to the whims of a faceless broadcasting network. It feels like this article has been written a thousand times but the decision to switch Sunderland’s longest away trip of the season to a 12.30pm kick-off further highlights how little Sky cares about the average supporter.
What does it matter that Sunderland to Cardiff is a 620-mile round trip? What does it matter that both sides are woefully out of form? What does it matter Cardiff are averaging just under 20,000 in a stadium of 33,000? What does it matter that supporters have had to alter their travel arrangements (at a cost) to attend? In short, it doesn’t. Sky have decided that because Chris Coleman used to manage a different team that played in Cardiff ’s stadium, that they must ruin what is usually a popular away fixture. Woe betide any supporter who actually wants to make this trip because, in the eyes of the Sky hierarchy, you are just a minor inconvenience.
If the powers that be had earmarked Coleman’s return to Cardiff as being a potential televised fixture, why did they wait three weeks before making the announcement? While it was within the five weeks’ grace period, why does it have to be the longest trip of the season and at an entirely inappropriate time?
These questions will naturally never be given a sufficient answer but, for once, it may be beneficial if the executives in their ivory towers just put themselves in the shoes of a Sunderland boarding a supporters’ bus at midnight. Just try to imagine the idea of having all of their original plans ruined because a broadcasting corpothought ration it would be fun to televise their club.
Supporter loyalty is regularly exploited by people who have absolutely no idea what it is like to follow a team through thick and thin. They will never know the sacrifices that these supporters make – the days they take off work, the family engagements they miss and the vast amount of money they spend.
The least they deserve is to respected and not treated like a disposable commodity. Sadly, that day still seems like a long way away.
To every Sunderland supporter heading to Cardiff tomorrow, we salute you. Bring back those three points.