Lyndon Lloyd 07/12/2024 17comments  |  Jump to last

Peterborough United have let the Football Association know of their disappointment that their FA Cup tie against Everton at Goodison Park has been scheduled as an inconvenient Thursday night game.

Just as Evertonians were forced to travel to South London for a Third Round tie against Crystal Palace last season so will Posh fans have to make the trek from Cambridgeshire on a weeknight to accommodate broadcast of the match on BBC iPlayer.

In a statement, the Peterborough's chief executive, Dawn Gore, complained that "the needs of supporters have not been taken into consideration" in the decision-making process and cited the lack of return trains from Liverpool that would prevent younger fans from attending what should be a glamour tie and mean many of her club's supporters would need to take two days off work to attend the game.

"Like our supporters, when the draw was made on Monday night, we were all very excited about travelling to Goodison Park," she said.

"To learn that the game has been arranged for a Thursday night is bitterly disappointing. Whilst we understand there are logistical challenges, we do not feel the supporters have been considered in this approach.

"We have made our feelings very clear to the decision-makers at the top of the game and want to assure our supporters that we are just as disappointed as they are."

 

Reader Comments (17)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()


Neil Lawson
1 Posted 06/12/2024 at 22:37:08
Our 3rd round cup match v the Posh has been moved to the Thursday 9th no doubt because the Redshite have to be given priority for the weekend (presumably to allow their supporters from Surrey to attend without inconvenience) Many of the Posh fans will not be able to travel, there are no trains. Those who can will need 2 days. It's a huge game for them.

How can that be fair? Their revenue may be lessened by a reduced crowd. How can that be fair? Yet another example of unfair prejudice in favour of the big 4.

Who are the Redshite playing ? Accrington. All of 30 miles away. The obvious bias and favouritism makes you spitting mad.

Micky Norman
2 Posted 08/12/2024 at 10:08:44
Totally support the away club on this.

The FA Cup is turning into a TV ratings competition. This is nonsense.

Danny O'Neill
3 Posted 08/12/2024 at 10:41:53
Good on them. Speaking personally, that's a trip up and as they say, there are no late trains. I am fortunate, as I can stay at my sisters, but that's another train trip for my dog.

I don't understand the reasoning behind using BBC iPlayer as an excuse. They could broadcast it at anytime.

I suppose the counter-argument would be that, if it was earlier, travelling supporters, Everton included, are having to take time off work.

Rob Halligan
4 Posted 08/12/2024 at 10:58:11
How many people will actually watch this game on BBC iPlayer? I suspect not many. Just change our game for the RS game…..job done!

And besides, are the TV companies expecting some real big shocks in the Man City v Salford game, or the Liverpool v Accrington Stanley game, that they feel the need to show them at prime time viewing? For fuck's sake, both those games will probably end up in double figures for the home teams!

Reminds me of an away game we had a few years ago. Brighton away on a Sunday, which was to be shown live… in bloody India, with a 12:30 pm kick off. Nothing against India by the way, great food! If I remember, the coaches left Goodison about 5 in the morning. No consideration whatsoever for us travelling fans.

Dennis Stevens
5 Posted 08/12/2024 at 11:44:13
Sunday, or Friday evening, I could understand – but Thursday evening?!
Brian Williams
6 Posted 08/12/2024 at 12:03:48
Further evidence that football's fucked, I'm afraid.
Mark Murphy
7 Posted 09/12/2024 at 14:31:44
Last train from Liverpool to Peterborough is 19:56.
John Pickles
8 Posted 09/12/2024 at 14:50:45
Hmmm! Screw all the away fans or make more money?

You want the FA to care about supporters? Anyone would think this is a sport, not a business!

I would love it if both teams stuck two fingers up at the FA and played it at the weekend… but it's not going to happen.

Matt Traynor
9 Posted 09/12/2024 at 14:50:49
Just out of interest, does anyone know what the BBC pay for FA Cup broadcasts to participating teams, and if it's the same whether on iPlayer or on BBC1?

If it's a pittance, then the clubs should be able to tell them to fuck right off! Of course the FA won't care.

Derek Knox
10 Posted 09/12/2024 at 15:02:57
Good point, Matt.

But when have the Premier League, Sky, or whoever wags the tails for media coverage ever considered the fans? I totally understand the Posh fans' complaint.

When a club outside the Premier League, or the Championship for that matter, is drawn away against a bigger club their fans want to support them, in the hope of a giant killing, however likely or unlikely that may be, but it does happen. To be virtually denied that opportunity by inconsiderate match timing is little short of a travesty.

Ray Roche
11 Posted 09/12/2024 at 15:26:00
I agree, Del, and the last-ever opportunity for Posh fans to visit Goodison.

It would be nice if Everton really put their weight behind the Posh complaint and lobbied for a different time slot. I mean, iPlayer, for fuck's sake!

Paul Hughes
12 Posted 10/12/2024 at 10:41:46
Absolutely agree, it stinks. I won't be going either. Lightweight, I know, but I'm not prepared to take half a day off work, and get back home around midnight, with work the following day, All because it is on chuffing iPlayer.
Mark Murphy
13 Posted 10/12/2024 at 10:52:09
Yes, it stinks and I feel for the Posh fans, but I live 250 miles away and I’m hoping to make it to this game - tickets permitting. There are hotels available around £50 and this could well be the last ever cup tie at Goodison park.
I don’t owe Peterborough any faux solidarity so whilst it’s not ideal, bring it on.
Any one who gets, but doesn’t want, a ticket let me know please. I’m a member so hopefully will get one anyway on Monday but still…
07708 615684
Murph
UTFT
Danny O'Neill
14 Posted 10/12/2024 at 11:58:19
I'll drop you a message Mark, as I'll be travelling up.

No news yet Dave.

Dave Abrahams
15 Posted 10/12/2024 at 12:13:14
Danny (13), Danny I had an idea they were due to go on sale round about now, I just phoned the ticket office and for season ticket holders who want to use their present seat for the game they are on sale from tomorrow morning at 10-00am.
Danny O'Neill
16 Posted 10/12/2024 at 12:36:22
Thanks Dave,

I'll keep any eye on the website. Also, see if my nephew is using his season ticket. He may not go as he's planning to move away from Liverpool in the New Year.

He won't be using it next season, so I will have use of it.

Clive Rogers
17 Posted 10/12/2024 at 13:19:06
Matt, 8, just googled it. Each club gets £125K for linear channels and £55K each for iPlayer.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


How to get rid of these ads and support TW

© ToffeeWeb