Friday Freebie: Make A Change to Gain More

Extra night game gives food for thought

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This time last week I was watching Friday night football, hence why there was no Freebie coming your way. It got me thinking a bit, as it does from time to time, especially with a few games down in Sussex over the course or these seven days not on the usual spectrum.

Granted this was the beginning of the Kent Ground Hop, Sussex to come in a couple of weekend’s time and two of many up and down the country throughout the year showcasing Steps 5,6 and in some cases 7 to all and sundry.

We’ve grown used to the elite level games and more recently from the Championship down to League Two of kick off times moving to suit the armchair fans and little disregard for those who actually make the effort to see the game live.

Of course we don’t get that in non-league football, or at least only the occasional FA Cup or National League game being moved, the odd groundshare agreement causing a Sunday fixture but other than that we know where we are every week.

My thinking though was why do more clubs not play on a Friday night? I don’t mean every single home game but the odd move during the season to what benefits can be found.

And behind that I’m thinking about higher attendances, easier to profile on a different night with social media and the excuse for others to take in an extra game at the weekend. I can remember years ago when as a football league club Southend Utd often had games on this particular night, Tranmere Rovers too.

I know opponents have to agree to a change of fixture, but all I can see is plenty of benefits, even if it’s only done on a couple of occasions throughout the season. Games under lights also have that extra appeal to them, or at least they do for me.

It also got me thinking about midweek games and the relative few who play on a Wednesday evening, with so many hitting the Tuesday night button it is a little surprising again that some don’t switch and aim to attract a few more in the door.

The only logic I can see for sticking with the earlier day is a Wednesday night would knock out both training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday for most managers, although depending on what Thursdays are used for mostly nowadays it might be an option along with the game day right in the middle of midweek.

There are a few who even switch around quick and make Monday their midweek night, again not preferable to most after the Saturday fixture is a very harsh turnaround on the body.

Although it isn’t our choice as spectators for when teams play, what however are your thoughts and would it even encourage you to slip a couple more fixtures into the calendar for your own viewing?

Let me know in the comments below.