Leicester City fans angry after final home game moved from Saturday
Fans and players have vented their frustration at the decision to move Leicester City's last home league game of the season.
The Watford clash was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 27, but has been brought forward to Friday, April 26, for coverage on Sky Sports.
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This means last weekend's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday was the last home league game at 3pm on a Saturday this season – and their only one since December 22 against Cardiff.
City have had eight home Championship games moved for television coverage this season and only seven home league games have been played at 3pm on a Saturday.
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On the Mercury website, thisisleicestershire.co.uk, readers have condemned the decision.
"Totally disgusted by this," commented WitneyFox. "I paid up front for my season ticket as I love going to matches on a Saturday.
"I no longer live in Leicester so can't do midweek games, or they are at least very difficult. I can't believe they've moved this one too."
Johnnylcfc will not be renewing his season ticket for the next campaign.
"Really can't believe this has happened again," he commented.
"We travel from Boston, in Lincolnshire, my son is only 12, and I'm afraid I don't want to be returning home at 1am.
"I've had a season ticket for a few years now but I definitely will not renew next season, promotion or not."
City defender Sean St Ledger tweeted: "Disappointing to see no more Saturday games at the King Power. That's what football is all about! Although night games do have a good feel about them."
Stu Teasdale, however, had sympathy with the club's position.
He tweeted: "There are a lot of fans on here annoyed about all the Friday night games, me included, but it's not the club's decision, it's Sky's."
In the wake of the decision, the club released a statement to clarify its position on games selected for television coverage.
"If a Leicester City fixture is selected for live coverage, the club is obliged to play the game at the rescheduled time unless the Safety Advisory Group determines that there are justifiable safety reasons for objection," it read.
"The club empathises with supporters that have been frustrated by the unprecedented changes to the schedule.
"With this in mind, the club has offered season-ticket holders a complimentary ticket for one of their next three home games against Millwall or Birmingham City or Bolton Wanderers."
DavidW commented on the Mercury website: "I would prefer a discount on my season ticket, rather than a complimentary ticket.
"Where would my friend sit as all the seats around me are taken up by season-ticket holders? Season-ticket holders buy their tickets in good faith and on the basis that most matches will be played according to the fixture list published, only to find out they cannot make the game that they have paid for up front because it as been rearranged by the TV companies."
35 Comments
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by foxterrier
Friday, March 15 2013, 6:22PM
“This is an absolute disgrace. I'm very angry about this and about the lack of Saturday afternoon games since Christmas. My wife and I are seriously considering not renewing our season tickets next season. This is no way to treat loyal fans. The owners must realise that these decisions seriously affect fans' views and they run a serious risk of damaging the supportive atmosphere in the stadium. It's not a coincidence that our poor run of form has occurred during a sustained period of night matches. I'm sick of cold Tuesday nights and to have Saturday matches moved to Friday night is to add insult to injury.”
by MartinLFE
Thursday, March 14 2013, 10:31PM
“It is all about results and business. Money talks, people moan and lose the right to a saturday kick-off. Life goes on.”
by MartinLFE
Thursday, March 14 2013, 10:29PM
“Sky have rights the fans will not be happy chappys, but who cares, business is business.”
by woowoo
Thursday, March 14 2013, 10:12PM
“Shame... It happens to Tigers all the time , Friday , or sunday... get over it... Sky rule the world..”
by woowoo
Thursday, March 14 2013, 10:12PM
“Shame... It happens to Tigers all the time , Friday , or sunday... get over it... Sky rule the world..”
by Patrick4939
Thursday, March 14 2013, 6:56PM
“I expect we all have a hard luck story. I live in mainland Europe nd booked a flight early to get the best price and to get me to a home game. Due to a change to Friday I arrived when the game was finishing.
We should remember though that when we go up the massive payouts (as well as parachute money when teams are relegated) are only possibility because of the size of the deal with sky.
Of course the gate suffers as it did against Middlesbrough but the club gets TV money too. We are moved so often this season as that is the price of success.”
by Carty2020
Thursday, March 14 2013, 4:56PM
“FLIPPIN SKY AGAIN”
by lolojones
Thursday, March 14 2013, 4:39PM
“i am a real fan, there's nothing better then hearing "leicester city fc, by far the greatest team the world has ever seen" being sung at the walkers”
by TheGeofflane
Thursday, March 14 2013, 3:43PM
“Most Championship football is exciting, but poor. Hoof it down the channels and chase it. Win the second ball. Only Leicester, and recently Watford, play proper football, at some pace, when not either kicked or bus-parked out of it. SKY tries to match Premiership standards with an inferior product. THAT'S why we're on so much! Some of you won't admit it but Nigel has produced some excellent football this season, and it ain't entirely his fault well-paid strikers can't strike. And if we do miss out I don't fancy our chances next season, as all the team-building and club spirit will go out the window. Yet again someone will have to start again. Sky helps pay for the CLUB Nigel is building. Support him and we'll win in the end.”
by TheGeofflane
Thursday, March 14 2013, 3:28PM
“Stick with us Kapero, lolo will eventually find chickens come home to roost. You are a real fan.”