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SKY At Night – Arsenal v Newcastle

by Robbie Murray on Wednesday 25th January 2012

A few weeks ago my nephew asked if I fancied a trip to The Emirates with some of his pals.  First I clarified he meant for a footy match involving NUFC and not surfing down sand dunes in theMiddle East.

The plan was to wait until SKY announced their March TV changes, as it’s always possible that a game will be moved, before booking our train tickets.  Wor kid had been collecting vouchers from the Chronicle to buy train tickets, to help keep the costs down.  So I left things in his capable hands.

Given that I work shifts I find it increasingly difficult to get to away games these days as I do well to get time off for home matches as it is.  I might get to 2 or 3 at most in a season.  Subsequently I had hatched a cunning plan to book a week off in March meaning that I’d definitely be off for both the 5under1and and Arsenal games, as they are on consecutive weekends.

How I was looking forward to a Saturday or Sunday trip to ‘that London’ on the train with my fellow foot soldiers, a few pints and laughs along the way, interspersed by an undoubted defeat in the capital.

Then only yesterday I find the game has been moved to Monday night.  Cheers SKY for making what is usually a cracking day out, now an impossibility.

There are others who will have booked a weekend away ages ago to cover the eventuality of a Saturday or Sunday match (see the comments on the Mackem High Noon article on this website) who are now either going to be out of pocket or inconvenienced further trying to alter their arrangements.

It’s yet another kick in the teeth for fans who have to cover the greatest distance in the Premiership to follow their club away from home at some ridiculous time of day.

No chance of getting a comfy train home after this one.  The alternative an expensive overnight stay (on top of what would be an expensive day out anyway), or a 12 hour round trip on a cramped bus – no thanks when I’m going to have to be at work for 12 hours the next day!!

So thanks again to SKY, the armchair fans Messiah, and the Spawn of Satan to the away day disciple!!

Tagged as: armchair fans, EPL, newcastle news, Premier League, sky tv

5 comments

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  • Anonymous

    Total joke changing an away trip in London to a Monday night, I reckon the fans aren’t even considered 1% when it comes to decisions.

  • Anonymous

    Another excellent article on your website, about time fans got together  and made the clubs take them into account for tv fixtures, live in hope.

  • Tony Fiddes

    This has the potential to be a Champions League place clash. SKY decide it looks a good one anyway because of the two teams involved. SKY subscribers money and sponsorship pay the massive TV appearance fees to the clubs. We would sell out approx 2000 in any ground on any night because of our fan base. It’s got nothing to do with us as fans it’s been all about money for years. After 2 very expensive stayovers – Fulham and soon Spurs, I have been forced out of a game I would have liked to attend and have a good bevvy in ‘the smoke’. I just can’t get Mondays off – even Bank Hols!! But think how many teams have come to SJP on dodgy days and nights. Don’t laugh at their numbers because they are victims as well they just don’t have the fan base. We should just get on with our permanent jobs of supporting NUFC. Sadly the circus around the game has been beyond us for years and like you mate I’ll be sat on my arse on the sofa!!!

  • Toon161070

    Football in this country is not about the fans anymore. Sky and the Premier League are not interested. There No.1 concern is ensuring oversees payers get fed stuff they will pay lots of money for. It will only get worse in the coming years.

    Im going to Arsenal with 5 mates. its cost us an extra £50 and an extra days holiday to go to the monday night game.

  • Horsey

    The fact it was originally a weekend game is the annoying thing in this case.
     
    Generally you know if a match is going to be midweek well in advance and can make an informed decision as to travel, time off work, expense etc.  I agree that opposition fans are put out as much as ourselves with midweek games and you cannot avoid this for League Cup or FA Cup Replays or games that are already allocated mid-week slots before the season starts.
     
    The sooner Leeds and Boro get back into the same division the better but looks more like additional long trips to Southampton, West Ham and Cardiff will be the potential for next season.