Those that speak nostalgically of Saturday 3pm kick offs are of a certain age, after 25 years of the Premier League's TV saturation coverage, just what is the worst time for a kick off for those who actually attend games ?

Many football fans talk of how they wish that all kick offs were 3pm on a Saturday, but it has now been over a quarter of a century since that was the norm and several generations of football fans have known nothing else other than games being moved from that traditional spot for TV coverage.

However there can be no doubt that yhe TV companies are now trying to up the ante on when they broadcast matches, there has been talk of moving a Premier League game to a foreign country, this has precedence in the USA's NFL, where games have been moved to Wembley in a bid to generate interest in American Football in this country and also up coverage in the States.

Recently we had the situation where Sky Sports were trying to broadcast a game on Xmas Eve, something they backed down from fairly late in discussions and the broadcasters seem to be trying to push the Premier League as far as they can go in fixture changes and to be blunt he who pays the piper calls the tune, they are the major source of income to the Premier League and thus it's member clubs, without this money we would not see the money spent on transfers we do, it is a bubble that has to burst sometime, mind you we said that 20 years ago and it is not only still going but getting worse.

So the average football fan has to consider whether they would prefer the Premier League as it is awash with money, but the price being constant changes in kick off times for TV, or see the money disappear and the Premier League be just another European league with no real appeal outside it's own borders.

Those of us who were watching football back in the 1980's often forget that by the end of that decade the game was dead on its feet, crowds were dwindling due to a combination of crumbling stadia, crowd violence and a general disenchantment in the game, from this viewpoint it could be argued that Sky Sports and all that surrounded it including the formation of the Premier League saved football in England and made it a global brand, but at what price and is that price now too high.

Certainly the money in football is in boadcasting and all that entails including social media and advertising, the last thing that concerns Sky is the supporter who attends games, however that is a big mistake because a big selling point is the fact that all games are broadcast from stadiums that are either full or not far off it, on TV it looks like a great atmosphere although those at the actual game might not agree as stadiums become more sanitised.

But for fans of every age the constant changing of kick off times is a pain, we now accept it, but we are fed up of the broadcasters constantly wanting to show games at different times.

When the fixtures come out bar a few mid week programmes they are all scheduled at 3pm on a Saturday, but the reality is that as you stare at any given fixture it could be moved to at least 7 other possible time slots for TV.

That is a Friday evening, Saturday lunchtime, Saturday early evening, several slots on a Sunday starting between noon and 4.30pm and then a Monday evening.

There has been talk of a Saturday Evening game, a recent survey suggested that most travellig supporters would rather see a game moved to a Saturday evening than Friday or Monday evening, yes it would be a pain, but better than having to take time off work etc.

But it is the broadcasters who are baulking at an 8pm Saturday kick off time, they do not want to be up against the likes of Strictly Come Dancing etc in the prime time spot on that day, therefore the likelihood of this happening is remote.

So what timespot does the match attending supporter hate the most ? well I would say it depends on whether the game in question is home or away.

For home games a Saturday change for broadcasting is not a big move, a pain and a change in ritual, but liveable with.

A Sunday change is a little more of a pain, but it does have it's advantages and we are usued to it now.

Mondays have traditionally been the most hated time slot to be changed to and Fridays perhaps will be just as hated, if you are an away fan it means time off work and getting home in the early hours and for home fans rushing to the game after work and a late night after the game, these are also not good for those who take children to the game, an 8 year old's bedtime will not be far off kick off time on a Monday night with school the next day, not to mention the cold in an evening.

However this weekend's noon kick off will run it a close second.

To be blunt noon kick's on a Sunday are a pain in the rear, although Arsenal are a London club, because of rail works they will need to be out of Waterloo station by 9am if they are to make the kick off time, taking into account getting accross London to Waterloo that will mean for many they will have to leave home at around 7.30am, ludicrous.

For Saints fans in the Hampshire area it is just as bad, if you live in Totton for instance there is likely to be only one bus an hour from your part of the town, that means getting the 10.30 am one, an hour earlier and you have to stand around in the cold for a long time, an hour later won't get you there for kick off time.

So one bus from say Calmore is available to get to the game whereas on a Saturday there would be over 10 in the preceding hours before the game.

2pm on a Sunday spreads out the options available a little more and means less chaos.

Likewise for those that enjoy meeting up with their friends for a drink etc before the game, there is no time before kick off to do this, its a case of rushing to get to the game beforehand and putting your journey in the lap of the gods.

To make matter worse this Sunday nothing is moving by rail in the Southampton City boundaries, those who usually travel by rail, especially from places like Fareham, Winchester, Eastleigh, The New Forest and Salisbury face utter chaos.

So what is your most hated kick off time ? is it Sunday at noon, is it Monday evening or are you one that perhaps works on a Saturday so actually like a change to another day so you can go to a game.

Give your opinions in the section below and also take part in our on line poll using the link below.

https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/members/!/polls/1892/what-is-

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LordDZLucan added 12:22 - Dec 8 It takes me a few hours to come down after a game so I just hate evening kick-offs as I can't get to sleep straight away!
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arthurfane added 12:39 - Dec 8 I prefer Sunday midday kick off to Sunday 4.30pm kick off. Nice to have it out of the way early meaning you can have a relaxing Sunday evening . . .
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A1079 added 12:59 - Dec 8 Monday evening is the absolute worst time for some reason and I think even the TV companies would have to admit that that time and day does not work. On a personal note Sundays are not good because of the distance if it is a home match or down south and therefore I have to consider whether to take a Monday off if I wish to attend (but I accept that I am in a minority situation here). Sunday also clashes with my son's football. But, if it has to be a Sunday then Sunday 1:30 is preferable. I am still a Saturday at 3pm person, but I accept reluctantly, those days are long gone. Saturday lunchtime doesn't seem to work that well.

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Consigliere added 13:09 - Dec 8 What you are describing here is that the supporters who attend the ground are little more than unpaid extras for the television coverage where the money is made - indeed worse than unpaid extras, we are actually extras who pay t'mill- owner for privilege of being allowed to work!
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SaintNick added 13:19 - Dec 8 Consigliere, you are right but you are also wrong, you are right in that the TV companies pay scant regard to the match going fans, although this has been going on 25 years now, so we as supporters cant say we are surprised, we go to games knowing that they will change for TV, I would say that about 70% of the crowd, do not really remember a time when every game was 3pm on a Saturday, dont forget we have had televised league games since 1983/84 season, although back then it was rarely more than a few times a season. Bt you are wrong because without the supporters the TV companies do not have a product to sell, the far east and the USA do not want to see games with empty stadiums etc, which is what they get with virtually every other European League bar Germany, it looks bad on the telly. The clubs need the supporters, what enables the likes of United to pay out more money than us isnt the money from the premier league and tv companies, but the merchandising and ticket money from around the world, which in turn brings them in advertising revenue, hence why they are trying to negotiate overseas broadcasting fees etc on a seperate basis from the rest of the league. What they dont see is that without the rest of us this league is nothing, personally i would rather see the likes of United and Chelsea in a European super league leaving the rest of us to have a chance of winning something again

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LordDZLucan added 14:27 - Dec 8 I agree, Nick, with getting rid of the 'Top 6' into a European Super League. For a fan an even more competitive Premier League would be a joy.
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SanMarco added 19:03 - Dec 8 Consig isn't saying the fans aren't necessary - just that they are paying extras who are taken for granted by the tv companies/clubs. I would go for 5 games 3pm Sat and 5 more 3pm Sun with all covered live and you choose the one you want to watch. Everyone would know where they were then and the fixtures wouldn't have to change at all from when they were first announced. 12 on a Sunday is fine for watching tv, as is a Monday evening but no people who want to actually attend are going to like it. The old European super league chestnut is one that does have appeal but they would take most of the tv money with them: Man U vs Real Madrid or West Brom vs Stoke....

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mattthelegend added 09:17 - Dec 9 Sunday’s are a nightmare as both my boys play Sunday, this weekend both kick off ar 12.00 and 1.00, so decision to make. Ultimately football is now a business and no consideration will ever be made for the paying fans, until people boycott the TV companies nothing will change and I can’t see that ever happening in this country. I like the idea of a super league but even this will become a tired format as the novelty of Man U vs Real Madrid, Chelsea Barcelona will become boring and eventually too expensive and time consuming for the fans of those clubs. Basically we are stuck with it unless paying fans become more vocal and in the face of tv companies at matches. Was really impressed with the Bayern Munich fans at recent champions league games with their banners at the Basel and PSG games. Viva la revolution 👊👊

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underweststand added 08:29 - Dec 10 San Marco's suggestion sounds good, but remembering that the TV companies (in turn) sell "their times" to advertising companies who can promise their customers advertising slots 5-6 times every weekend, whereas the two suggested times would be ideal for fans ...the advertisers would get much less coverage for their money. Personally I've never bought anything that's been advertised at a match time, and I'd much prefer commentators who 'd shut up once in a while, and talk about the game we are watching, AND a panel of " football experts " who actually knew a bit about the game they are paid to comment on. Rant over !

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