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)
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2 Posted 08/12/2024 at 10:08:44
The FA Cup is turning into a TV ratings competition. This is nonsense.
3 Posted 08/12/2024 at 10:41:53
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.
4 Posted 08/12/2024 at 10:58:11
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.
5 Posted 08/12/2024 at 11:44:13
6 Posted 08/12/2024 at 12:03:48
7 Posted 09/12/2024 at 14:31:44
8 Posted 09/12/2024 at 14:50:45
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.
9 Posted 09/12/2024 at 14:50:49
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.
10 Posted 09/12/2024 at 15:02:57
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.
11 Posted 09/12/2024 at 15:26:00
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!
12 Posted 10/12/2024 at 10:41:46
13 Posted 10/12/2024 at 10:52:09
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
14 Posted 10/12/2024 at 11:58:19
No news yet Dave.
15 Posted 10/12/2024 at 12:13:14
16 Posted 10/12/2024 at 12:36:22
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.
17 Posted 10/12/2024 at 13:19:06
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1 Posted 06/12/2024 at 22:37:08
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.