Kick-off time v Shrewsbury Town
With temperatures set to hit 33’C (91.5’F) next Saturday I wonder if it would be a good idea to push back the kick-off time of the Shrewsbury match from 3pm to 7pm?
Normally I wouldn’t suggest this due to pre-booked trains etc but there’s a national rail strike next Saturday. If the match is played mid-afternoon in that heat it could pose problems for some spectators, especially those sitting in the full sun. I couldn’t imagine it would be that enjoyable playing in it either.
Coming from Louisiana I expect the Couhigs would find this idea daft but it would be much more pleasant a matchday experience for both players & spectators staging the game when the temperature is starting to drop & the ground is in shade.
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Far too sensible a proposal for the EFL and co.
Makes some sense but too late, shifting times at minutes notice like the TV types do messes up arrangements for fans and staff.
If the game finishes at 9/930 and you have a 2 hour drive or 4 hour train journey home that rules out quite a lot of people.
Hope not, I'm going out in the evening, would mess that up.
It does raise an important point, though, and you'd hope football is thinking properly about its protocol for extreme heat going forward
@StrongestTeam There are no trains next Saturday - there’s a rail strike.
@HolmerBlue I’ve also got plans to go out on Saturday evening too but I’d prefer to avoid any more “medical emergencies” in the crowd, as I witnessed at Watford v Sheffield United last Monday evening. Fortunately the woman concerned to making a recovery.
Chiltern Railways aren't striking then
God that’s a depressing thought, but you’re right
So their fans have already had to make alternative arrangements, let's not make it worse. There will be drinks breaks, stoppages and a focus on hydration, let's hope the kiosks have water available. I see where you are going but 33 isn't entirely unheard of and travelling fans are already messed about and overcharged as it is.
I could see the argument for players' safety but not just for fans sitting there.
And not a week before.
Publicise likely heat conditions, have water available, advise bringing lots and that will be enough I think.
Temperatures in the early 30's are hardly unheard-of, it's not like the near 40 of a couple of weeks ago. If it did get changed I wouldn't be able to go, so beer takings will be down straight away
I'm away on holiday so it won't affect the 3 of us. Would have thought it was a bit late now anyway?
My mind goes back to that Leyton Orient away game at the end of our second league season. Wonder what the terrace temperature gauge hit that day.
I remember that day and yes, it was a scorcher. I also remember that there was nothing for quenching one's thirst available and also remember seeing a guy with his inhaler complaining to one of the stewards about the lack of refreshment. I'd like to think that football as a whole has moved on from those days and with modern thinking and weather forecasts being more accurate should mean that clubs can make a proviso for this.
If more than two people turn up to man the Frank Adams concession stands. Wonder if the club will have more control on that next week.
During an international ODI match during the last heatwave, there were serious talk of cancelling or suspending the game because of the heat and spectator viewing.
However for Premier League players, this will be excellent prep for Qatar
You can't compare Cricket, as that's an 8 hour day. Fans only have to be in the ground a couple of hours.
Also we've seen temps up to 40 recently, these projections are early 30s.
Obviously hot, but not dangerously hot.
You can as football fans are often for energised than Cricket which would increase the body temp
Not for most fans, could be for players
To go off subject slightly. How about to save energy and the planet all Saturday afternoon games kickoff at 2.00 pm November to March. This won’t happen either instead we will have the ridiculous site of floodlights been put on at half-time whether they are needed or not in the middle of October or earlier
We might get to this one day due to costs
Someone has mentioned this on here before. Its a no-brainer.
I think the floodlights were on at Craven Cottage yesterday? For a 12:30 kick-off.
I believe in the Scottish West of Scotland League (equivalent of our National League North & South) matches kick off at 2pm from the start of the season anyway. On Sundays, Premier League matches start at 2pm or 4.30pm (due to TV mind you). The precedent is already there.
Where do you end this sort of thing though?
The club cut down on once a season credit style season tickets, yet still hand out 1,000s of plastic glasses for pre match swilling.
They could ask fans to bring their own cups, but they don't. Maybe they should?
I think thats all due to TV & the Premier League rules and requirements for VAR & Hawkeye (goal-line). Can you think what the fall out would be if VAR couldn't verify a decision because a cloud covered the sun & the camera's couldn't ajust to the light change?!
I fully support the idea of clubs being more practical to cut costs and being more eco. The FA & Premier League / EFL need to take back control over the TV companies dictating the times when a match can or can't be played. If people had an interest in the game, they will watch it, its time that Sports should be more accountable for their impact on the climate change
Judging by the Jose Sa and Lisandro Martinez incidents this weekend, I don't think they need a cloud to, er, cloud their judgement
The Isthmian League are allowing clubs to bring forward the kick-off time, to save on floodlight costs.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62405670
Those plastic glasses are actually corn based and compostable
Sweet