Community Shield - Arsenal (N) | Sun 6th Aug - 16:00

[Son of Merv]

This is not just about the CS. Its every time that fans have to put up with this shit.

Most times clubs really need to win the games (semies finals at Wembley or any league / cup game that gets moved to a late kick off for TV) and you would never get a boycott to work. We dont give a f about this game and so its the perfect opportunity to make a point.

Yes, I get that. But we have become the 'biggest sports brand' in the world due to the exposure our matches get from TV coverage. Perceived inconvenient kick off times are the price that we (as in all football supporters) have been paying for 30 years, since the start of the PL, in order to maximise the benefit of that exposure. We would find it difficult to maintain our success without it. I accept that 3pm Saturday is no longer the norm and matches can kick-off at variable times and days so have adjusted my attitude accordingly to fit in with the 'new' reality. Sometimes those times are a ball ache, sometimes they are better for me...I quite like home 12:30 kick-off, for example, and would be quite happy to see more!

The PL have committed to giving 6 weeks notice for any TV scheduling changes up to December this year, and 5 weeks from January onwards. It's more difficult to make such a commitment for FA and EFL cup games due to not knowing who plays who until draws are made. If we accept that TV deals are required, what would you like to happen? Less games on TV? Allow 3pm Saturday games to be televised?

This protest also seems a bit...scattergun, tbh. You want to protest about kick-off times in general, someone else is demanding a return of the CS to some mythical 'traditional' time and place. Maybe presenting a coordinated approach, with a real stated aim, directed at the right organisations would be of benefit?



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[Stephen230]

Yes - but that is because the League Cup will start afrer a couple of other PL games have taken place before it.
What is the excuse for the CS starting at 4pm?

Does there need to be an excuse? It’s probably been the most common Sunday kick off time for the last 30 years.

 

[Son of Merv]

Yes - but that is because the League Cup will start afrer a couple of other PL games have taken place before it.
What is the excuse for the CS starting at 4pm?

Excuse? It's a TV decision. The people that have paid for broadcast rights wanted it at 17:30, but the compromise between them and FA is now 16:00.

 

[blueparrot]

Yes - but that is because the League Cup will start afrer a couple of other PL games have taken place before it.
What is the excuse for the CS starting at 4pm?

To be fair 3.00 would be better but much earlier then people would complain they were struggling to get there on a Sunday morning.

 

[Son of Merv]

To be fair 3.00 would be better but much earlier then people would complain they were struggling to get there on a Sunday morning.

I do agree. Its kicked off on a Sunday at 1:30 at least once before!

 

[Corky]

I do agree. Its kicked off on a Sunday at 1:30 at least once before!

The one in Witton? So you get home in time for the start of the Olympic's closing ceremony.

 

[Son of Merv]

The one in Witton? So you get home in time for the start of the Olympic's closing ceremony.

Yeah, you're right on that! '98 Arse v Rags was a 1pm, Sunday, Wembley kick-off.

 

[IOWBlue]

This is like Stockholm Syndrome. We've been shit on for 30 years say some on here, lets keep eating it. Anyone who doesn't stand up to being taken for granted, is the reason we get taken for granted.

 

[Corky]

This is like Stockholm Syndrome. We've been shit on for 30 years say some on here, lets keep eating it. Anyone who doesn't stand up to being taken for granted, is the reason we get taken for granted.

Boycott the PL who are the worst culprit. Not some game no one cares about, and due to being skint from Instanbul they didn't want to go to.

 

[Stephen230]

Boycott the PL who are the worst culprit. Not some game no one cares about, and due to being skint from Instanbul they didn't want to go to.

This is the thing for me. I’d never, ever criticise anybody for trying to do something to make a fan’s lot better but this whole thing seems a bit rushed and ill thought out.

Some people seem to think the kick off time is/ was the major problem. Others the day of the week. Some the location of the game. And a few even the choice of opposition.

If you’re going to organise a successful boycott, you really need to set out a list of non negotiable conditions. Not vague comments about putting fans first.

I would have thought if any game was going to be the one that broke the camels back and led to action, it would be a game moved to a Monday night, down South, where you need two days off work and a stop over to attend using public transport. Not one means getting home a bit late on a weekend.