What is it about train timetables and fans’ travel arrangements that Sky don’t get? The latest set of fixture rearrangements show our game at St James’ Park set for an evening kick off, making it impossible for rail travelling supporters to get home. (Newcastle fans have a similar issue, their away game at Bournemouth set to start before the last train back north!)
What does anyone need to do to get them to think of fans not just armchair audiences? Though the answer is probably nothing will matter so long as the viewing figures are high and the massive investment in the Premier League is justified. But even so, do they ever even consider supporters?
We know the FSA (Football Supporters’ Association is on to this, but they have been for some while, to no effect. Maybe the regulator will – if one ever gets appointed . . . .
On ticketing, we will be raising the ballot for home tickets with the club Directors at the next Advisory Board meeting (in a couple of weeks). It’s random selection, they say, and everyone has a clean slate each ballot, and everyone is sure to gt a ticket eventually, but we know of people who have had no tickets at all so far while others have ‘won’ the two Manchester matches and the NLD. I once had a CD player that took six CDs and randomly picked tracks across them all. As often as not, it would return to the same CD and same tracks. And I have hardly ever won a Premium Bond prize and nothing on the National Lottery. And that’s what random means. Random ticket selection sounds less and less like a good thing for loyal Silver and Red members every passing match.
We’ll let you know what the club says.
RS 16/9/23