Fixtures are out

[John L]

Interesting article that confirms the EFL's sadistic attitude...

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/efl-insulting-fans-by-scheduling-long-midweek-trips-wt8sbjxgx?shareToken=1b50f2ac2832a54bcdbd12b95aab18d3

[KenH]

Absolutely staggering:-

“We make that scheduling choice to get bigger games at weekends because that provides better atmosphere and increases gate revenue for clubs. The flip-side is that those games that are a distance have to go into midweek. It’s a deliberate act. The reason for it is to ensure we get bigger crowds at weekends rather than lower crowds in midweek.”

I think that makes it clear that the EFL havn't a clue and also proves that there is no such thing as "random computer mix" when fixtures are decided. What an absolute Joke. The EFL is clearly not fit for purpose and is contributing to the demise of football clubs due to low attendances!

[Duffman]

It makes perfect sense to me. The club will make more money with having local games like Accrington on a Saturday and visiting teams from far away like Yeovil on a Tuesday.

...contributing to the demise of football clubs due to low attendances

Yeah, it's the EFL that are responsible for our low attendances.

In fact, attendances in the football league are the highest in almost 60 years:
https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/sky-bet-efl-201617-season-records-highest-attendance-figures-in-nearly-60-years/

[Teams like Morecambe]

I can understand why those who attend every match won't be happy to travel long distances for a Tuesday night match. However I'd prefer to play the closer away matches on Saturdays as the away day experience as greater.

[KenH]

Really? I think the opposite. I'd have thought that we'd get more people who'd travel to make a weekend of it, from, say Exeter, on a Saturday, than we'd lose from Accy fans who'd not come on a Tuesday. Surely you're more likely to go to an away match if it's just an hour away. You're also more likely to travel further on a Saturday?

[MfcChris]

I disagree Ken. Let us say we get 60 from Exeter on a Tuesday, a Saturday may be 60-80.

Accrington on a Saturday may bring 400 but on a Tuesday may only bring 300.

= Move revenue for us.

[outsider]

From a personal point of view, I would prefer longer trips at the weekend. I know it my choice but having to take 2 days off work for the trips to Yeovil, Portsmouth, Barnet on a Tuesday night is bad. When you add in the midweek road closures. At weekends there are less. If it wasn't for an understanding boss (at work and home ) I wouldn't be able to go.

[John L]

I'm with Ken and Outsider on this. I do think there'd be more of a following for distant away games on a Saturday and little difference with derbies. I'd much rather (and be more able to) go to the likes of Accy, Crewe and Carlisle of an evening than miss out on trips to far-flung places such as Cambridge, Luton, Yeovil and Portsmouth as in recent seasons, where I'd be more likely to be able to go to on a Saturday!

[marky No.1]

From a personal point of view, I would prefer longer trips at the weekend. I know it my choice but having to take 2 days off work for the trips to Yeovil, Portsmouth, Barnet on a Tuesday night is bad. When you add in the midweek road closures. At weekends there are less. If it wasn't for an understanding boss (at work and home ) I wouldn't be able to go.

You are in a minority though Paul, with about 10 others

[Westgate Wanderer]

From a personal point of view, I would prefer longer trips at the weekend. I know it my choice but having to take 2 days off work for the trips to Yeovil, Portsmouth, Barnet on a Tuesday night is bad. When you add in the midweek road closures. At weekends there are less. If it wasn't for an understanding boss (at work and home ) I wouldn't be able to go.

You are in a minority though Paul, with about 10 others

AFC Fylde away on a Tuesday night next season anyone?