SKY At Night – Arsenal v Newcastle

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!!