The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Late kick-off times are a kick in the teeth
NEWCASTLE United have had their fair share of torrid kick-off times of late, whether it be the 8pm start at Anfield on New Year’s Day, the 8.15pm showdown with Aston Villa last week or the nonsensical 7pm FA Cup clash with Fulham earlier in the month.
Now, the Magpies can add another late tee time to the list after it was revealed their fixture with Chelsea in March would be shown at 8pm on a Monday evening.
TV bosses will no doubt have seen Wor Flags’ Gallowgate End display over the weekend, which read: “TV before fans.” How fitting that two days later Eddie Howe’s side would be hit with another lengthy journey to the opposite end of the country with no way of making it back home on public transport post-match.
Of course, the Chelsea TV move will have been decided weeks ago. It was actually scheduled to be announced over the weekend.
Yet Wor Flags are completely right that yet again the most northern team in the league are hit with a needlessly late kick-off time to suit TV executives. ‘Shafted’ is the word they use to describe yet another headscratching decision for the Newcastle faithful.
“The point absolutely stands after the latest announcement about Chelsea away. We are being shafted. Cheers @Skysportspl,” tweeted the fan group after Monday’s announcement.
Newcastle fans will no doubt sell out the Stamford Bridge away end on March 11, despite the fact the last direct train to
Newcastle Central Station departs London Kings Cross at 10pm. A matter of minutes after the final whistle will blow in west London. Two further trains are running from the capital on the evening but Newcastle supporters wouldn’t get back to the North East until 7.30am the following morning after a lengthy change at York through the night.
Wor Flags’ protest conveniently fell on the Premier League’s ‘Green Football Weekend’, which has been encouraging fans to eat more plant-based meals to reduce carbon emissions. Plenty of football supporters have pointed out the hypocrisy of the campaign given fans are often unable to use public transport when handed late top-flight kick-off times due to TNT Sports and Sky Sports.
After Saturday’s pre-match display at St James’ Park, Wor
Flags released a statement, reading: “The cost of being a football fan is getting ever greater, with increased costs on trains, buses and fuel for cars making it an expensive venture, yet the incessant attitude of putting matchgoing fans last is putting huge strain on supporters.
“Whilst we still fill away ends, we have not forgotten about those fans priced out by the greed in the game, those who made English football so attractive to the world audience.
“Late announcements of games to suit broadcasters and those watching on TV has a huge impact on the fans they all claim are the lifeblood of the game.
“We are calling on broadcasters, the Premier League, The FA and the clubs to do more for match-going fans. Stop with the unsociable kick-off times, make it fairer for fans travelling and stop your greed.”