FAI need to review fixture planning

**geezer** · 10/09/2012, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

Well over 90% of domestic games in Ireland are held on working weekdays. They're even played on international nights, if the game ko time isn't at the same time as the home club. Home fans are barely catered for, and away fans are treated with contempt by most clubs. If you don't want to attract customers, scheduling games at times they can't get there, is a good way of keeping them away.

good points

**geezer** · 10/09/2012, 10:39 AM

satur

**Macy** · 10/09/2012, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by A face

This is killing us imo, i just think that trying to avoid a few quid on wages is like biting off our nose to spite our face. If we are going to play 30+ games a season (or whatever number, it doesn't matter) then we need to facilitate them taking place. And thats about that size of it, you either make the call or not; we are going to play X amount, take it on the chin and plan the season for those games to take place. Cutting it short to save on wages is small time, its short sighted, and its definitely regressive.

It's replacing midweek fixtures, with midweek fixtures. Just a possible additional benefit of scrapping pointless cups that no one really takes seriously. The numbers would do the talking as regards reduced costs v reduced revenue I guess. Too much in this league is done on appearances rather than proper analysis. However, if I was going to scrap one thing, it'd be the mid season break, which would free up more weekends. As I said in the post, it goes against the whole logic of a summer season.

Personally, I think having every game at night is driving potential punters away, certainly those with younger children and limits travel options for away fans. But whenever 3pm Saturday is suggested, excuses such as clashing with junior games is the reason given (now that is small time imo).

**A face** · 10/09/2012, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

It's replacing midweek fixtures, with midweek fixtures.

Midweek fixture are a curse on this league imo, i know thats ott but i'm never been to a midweek game yet that was packed to the rafters, its almost inevitable that attendances will be down for them. I say do away with them altogether where possible and i'd be inclined to say dont have them for any league game in the season, as in each league game has its own weekend. If cup replays need to be midweek then so be it.

**Macy** · 10/09/2012, 2:33 PM

Originally Posted by A face

Midweek fixture are a curse on this league imo, i know thats ott but i'm never been to a midweek game yet that was packed to the rafters, its almost inevitable that attendances will be down for them. I say do away with them altogether where possible and i'd be inclined to say dont have them for any league game in the season, as in each league game has its own weekend. If cup replays need to be midweek then so be it.

Depends on the importance of the game I would suggest. Part of the problem no one can say for certain what a fixture would've got on another night. iirc our biggest attendance for a competitive game was a Thursday night (although the record books might not reflect that!).

**pineapple stu** · 10/09/2012, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

And if you didlike the league cup so much just play the youths and go out, simple.

Maybe not so simple....

**Dodge** · 10/09/2012, 2:52 PM

Midweek fixtures are poison, but the clubs wanted/needed a 40 week season and the PFAI wanted a mid season break

So if you want less league fixtures in midweek, either the clubs or the PFAI need to change.

The rest is just rhetorical waffling