Friday or Saturday Nights?

Originally Posted by sligofan4ever

I'm probably wrong but more people must work on saturday because we get good attendences on fridays over e.g Bohs and St.Pats (higest attendance this season)

what

We have tried Saturday nights but always get a better crowd on Fridays. Travelling across the country during Friday rush hour is annoying though. Getting a half day on Friday to go to away games isn't always possible.
Saturdays would be better for away fans but money talks so I cant see us changing.

I voted Friday nights, because I prefer home games then, but I have to concede Saturday nights would suit better for travelling to away games outside of Leinster.

Originally Posted by GavinZac

Used to be Sunday at 2, or 12 to give Derry a chance to get back in time for work the next day.

Used to be sundays at 3.30 and then sundays at 2 when the light got bad...

I think the ****ing around with times doesn't help clubs build attendances. I think a uniform day must be brought in. Clubs like Dundalk shouldn't be allowed play on a Thursday night. Tough ****ing luck if it clashes with the bingo 9or whatever)

I'd go with saturday evenings (even though Pats crowds are always less on anything but friday night) at 7pm with the live TV game being played on Friday night (as a way to kick off/advertise the rest of the weekend)

Voted Saturday nights. Last season Kildare County played on Saturday nights and the crowds were eh...... 'bigger', changed to Fridays this season and crowds have dropped but we're having a worse than usual season as well.

I know of several fans who work in Dublin including myself who just can't get back on time for Friday night games or its just too much of a rush and hassel.

Friday nights, without doubt. Saturday matches would be a bit, weird.

Saturday nites would clash with bogball matches during the summer. Might have a negative effect on attendances.

This debate comes up regular as clock-work every season.

Most clubs have played around with different match days, but none seem to have hit the 'golden time' - the slot in everyone's schedule where they'll flock in their droes to an eircom league game, if only it was at that magically convenient time to the wider population.

The reason why a golden time hasn't been found is that there isn't one.

Messing around with times is re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. It will have a ridiculously fringe affect upon the appeal of our league, and probably do more to confuse those who are willing to give us a chance.

Walk out on the street now and ask 10 people why they don't go to Eircom league games. See how many of them mention day and time as anywhere near a concern. Most couldn't even tell you when their local team plays, let alone have an issue with it.

Irish people would flock to watcyh certain Englihs or Scottish teams play at 4am on a Monday morning. The issue with our league is not the times of our games - so changing it will do nothing of any significance to improve the appeal of our game.

Cork City & Derry City games used to be played at 12 noon to give teams a chance to get home on the same day.

I remember wandering around Derry post match trying to get something to eat but everything closed. Restaurants not open until 4. I think only 2 or 3 City fans including myself. Times have certainly changed...

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

This debate comes up regular as clock-work every season.

Most clubs have played around with different match days, but none seem to have hit the 'golden time' - the slot in everyone's schedule where they'll flock in their droes to an eircom league game, if only it was at that magically convenient time to the wider population.

The reason why a golden time hasn't been found is that there isn't one.

Messing around with times is re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. It will have a ridiculously fringe affect upon the appeal of our league, and probably do more to confuse those who are willing to give us a chance.

Walk out on the street now and ask 10 people why they don't go to Eircom league games. See how many of them mention day and time as anywhere near a concern. Most couldn't even tell you when their local team plays, let alone have an issue with it.

Irish people would flock to watcyh certain Englihs or Scottish teams play at 4am on a Monday morning. The issue with our league is not the times of our games - so changing it will do nothing of any significance to improve the appeal of our game.

But the theme of this thread had been about finding the best time to accomodate the greatest number of people who do want to go to eL games, not about convincing those who currently don't want to go.

The general opinion seems to be that Friday nights is best when you're at home, but for away games, Saturday night would be better.

I'd agree with Dodge that there should be a set time, say Saturday night, with one televised game on a Friday night. (Perhaps another on a Sunday afternoon?)

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

The issue with our league is not the times of our games - so changing it will do nothing of any significance to improve the appeal of our game.

But if people want to go to a game, but aren't sure when its on? It obviously is a factor. no one is saying its the top reason but to dismiss it is a bit stupid

I've gone with Saturday afternoon purely because it would allow me to take mini raptor as I have her at the weekend other than that friday night suits me fine

Originally Posted by GuisaSaigon

We have tried Saturday nights but always get a better crowd on Fridays. Travelling across the country during Friday rush hour is annoying though. Getting a half day on Friday to go to away games isn't always possible.
Saturdays would be better for away fans but money talks so I cant see us changing.

Yes, for different reasons over the last few years Galway United have had games on Saturday night. Mostly to accommodate fans wishing to attend other sports events.

On each occasion though, it was noted that attendances were down.

As Saigon says, it makes it easier for away fans but, the crowds come in Galway on a Friday.

[QUOTE=Dodge;966213]Used to be sundays at 3.30 and then sundays at 2 when the light got bad...

I think the ****ing around with times doesn't help clubs build attendances. I think a uniform day must be brought in. Clubs like Dundalk shouldn't be allowed play on a Thursday night. Tough ****ing luck if it clashes with the bingo 9or whatever)

QUOTE]

100% agree, also think its a disgrace that the lge allow us to play on a thurs night, Sat would be a much better option, would see a huge increase in away support for a start.

IMO all games except local derbies should be on Saturday afternoon or nights. Would make things easier for away fans and I think it would boost attendances.

Originally Posted by Rovers fan

Yeah I suppose people usually have something on on a saturday night,dunno why our attendances were better on saturdays.When I was younger I used to love the auld game on a saturday night and home for match of the day,but I know a lot of people who don't go to games because they would rather go out on a saturday night. Have the likes of cork,bohs etc always played on fridays?

One of the reasons had to be the lack of advertising around the town. The switch to friday came and the only way i found out was thru word of mouth. Personally friday evenin is best for me but in bigger cities saturady would seem the more logical time as most people have to commute home from workin on fridays leaving them less time to get to the games that evening.

The best thing about Friday evenings is still leaves you the whole weekend to do other stuff or go places.

With Saturdays, you'll end up missing home games everytime you go someplace for the weekend, or because you'll end up doing other stuff like jobs around the house or whatever. Its ok for away games cos often that IS your weekend away.

Originally Posted by Dodge

Clubs like Dundalk shouldn't be allowed play on a Thursday night. Tough ****ing luck if it clashes with the bingo 9or whatever)

Yeah id agree with that if we are promoted but right now why should we play at a time that doesn't suit us and lose money and find it more difficult to stay within the 65% budget just to please a handful of away fans. It would be different if we were playing clubs that would bring big crowds down every second week as that would counteract the loss of revenue from renting the function rooms out. Us playing on Thursday night rather than Friday night probably pays one of our larger earners wages. Why would we give that up.
Most fans prefer Thursday nights and its the night where we get our largest crowds.

More than any other issue it is important games on the same day & same time every fortnight. Moving games for TV should be reviewed & decide if the benefits outweigh the downside.