Most liked posts in thread: 1 pm kick off times, November to March

A bit like a Russian referendum if they’ve decided to do it anyway

 

This is the thing, I expect floodlights to be on at most ground during the winter months regardless of kick of times due to dull overcast sky etc, regardless of what time of day. 1pm in December isn't like your 1pm for the rest of the year. It's usually miserable and still requiring floodlights. I think we are only schedule 3 home games from the end of October till the Start of January. Wouldn't it be as cost effective to remove the pizza trophy.

 

I have no idea what the floodlights and other appliances at VP cost to run on a matchday. I just plucked that figure out of the ether. could be vastly more , maybe the club could give us some ball park costs to help us make our minds up.

 

I voted yes, but added that only if the overwhelming response was yes so people who work on a saturday morning aren't discriminated against. The idea of a whip round to help with electricity bills isn't as daft as it sounds. I'd chip in £20 for it, or ask everyone who attends to pay a £1 levy on the gate. That would cover it.

 

Having voted yes to changing ko's to 1.00 pm, and now having read the comments regarding the problems it will cause my fellow fans, I am now inclined to keep the ko's at 3.00 pm

 

From a personal and selfish perspective. I’m not bothered, in fact it would probably benefit me finishing when it’s light and slightly warmer is always a bonus.

However there is an ethical dilemma here that everyone bought the product on the premises that Saturday games were 3pm(unless moved for tv), so it’s hard to support something that could effect many people negatively should it be enforced. Like Fordy says, if we are to bring it in do it next season and maybe increase season ticket prices by around £10? To cover the extra costs from this season. Be upfront and honest and I’m sure most would agree to it. However changing them now could alienate 100s of fans and I wouldn’t blame them if they wanted a refund and didn’t come back after saving some money of electric bills was put before their custom.

 

Good point, and rearranged matches will be played when ?....on a night..!!

 

VOTE NO!

What is wrong with people!

https://crm.bradfordcityafc.com/voting/index.php/648181?newtest=Y&lang=en

 

Unlike Fordy, myself after the game (finishing just before 3pm) I will be using the pub's heating and lighting, wherever that might be. I will just be getting there a couple of hours earlier. This will probably be offset by not going for a couple of beers before the game.
Although I would prefer a 3 o'clock kick-off in the grand scheme of things 1pm or 3pm doesn't really matter to me as long as Darren Drysdale isn't the referee.

 

I think pubs cafes will lose out , a lot of people will just go home afterwards and not bother before because it is too early .

 

All this stick together crap makes me laugh. Since when have you ever been bothered if any City fans have had trouble attending a game due to the kick off time eg a re arranged game due to postponment? When was the last time you were outraged about that?

 

Probably more than that, this article shouldn't be used as a blanket statement for how much games will cost every team. Floodlights aren't ever on for just the 2 hours fans will be in the ground for. Around December up until January, when it's dark around 3pm, they'll be switching on around 2ish when fans enter the ground, then they stay on well after the game is played. By the time everyone clears out after 5, the subs go out for a warm up, press on the pitchside doing their interviews and radio are on in the stands until 6pm. The lights will be on for 4-5 hours a matchday.

That £300 per hour was to run the lights at Spotland. Which has the 4 floodlight rigs, plus not included in that would be turning on the lights in the terraces, again running for hours. If you compare that to VP, our lighting rigs look much bigger than the ones at spotland. But the 3 lighting rigs are combined with the entire top of the Kop and Sunwin stands have lights all across them facing the pitch that need to be switched on. Unlike spotland with just 4 small stands, we also have lights across the ceiling for the two tiers of fans in our bigger stands. We also have large hospitality rooms and bars in the Sunwin open until 6, think you can get in from 1 if theres a speaker and a meal on, otherwise its 2pm.

This articles headline is relevant, but the bigger takeaway is that it's going to cost an estimated £240,000 in energy bills this season to run Spotland. Split that across the 23 home games, Rochdale on average will spend nearly £10.5K a match in energy. Valley Parade had shed loads more lights for the pitch, as well as in the stands, more kiosk using gas and electric, theres not a chance we will be paying the Spotland rates, imagine it's much much more. An extra 90-120 mins of natural light across those 3 months could make a world of difference to some clubs.

 

Think the club did right to test the water though, even on here it's almost 50/50 and for little cost saving it would have affected a lot of fans by the sound of it ...

 

Both figures are utterly negligible and not even worthy of a discussion.

This is a professional football club with 17,000 through the gates each week.

This is the type of discussion Thackley or Eccleshill would be having, not Bradford City.

 

In March, isn't that a little after the horse has bolted.

 

On a personal note I wouldn't complain, but do feel for people who work Saturday mornings and who would be affected by it. Potentially a significant impact on attendances, and we've been here before during the power cuts of the 1970's

 

There's a few factors to consider. Home games will have less fans and vice versa. Also the impact on local business trade although I guess that isn't primarily the clubs concern. I can see why they are planning on its possible implementation but it's probably one less reason for me to go at a time when I've already got reasons.
Not an easy choice for the club to make