Football's energy crisis: Bradford City fans asked to shed light on their views about Saturday 1pm kick-offs ahead of EFL meeting

Bradford City is asking supporters what they think about kicking off Saturday games two hours earlier ahead of a Football League meeting to discuss the issue.
By Stuart Rayner
Published 26th Sep 2022, 15:38 GMT

The 72 clubs meet on Thursday with kick-off times the top item on the agenda.

Bantams chief executive Ryan Sparks has been one of the leading voices arguing clubs should consider kicking off earlier in light of the current energy crisis which has seen bills rocketing.

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The argument is that kicking off at 1pm instead of the traditional 3pm will save on floodlighting and other energy costs at football grounds, which threaten to have a crippling effect on the finances of some lower-league clubs. With League Two's largest crowds and biggest ground, City will be affected more than most.

TALKING POINT: The Valley Parade floodlight in full effect during a game against MorecambeTALKING POINT: The Valley Parade floodlight in full effect during a game against Morecambe
TALKING POINT: The Valley Parade floodlight in full effect during a game against Morecambe

Kicking off earlier will come with extra additional costs too, with teams likely to have to stay overnight before games more often.

Starting games at 1pm would also mean they could be broadcast live on television and streamed live on the internet – something currently prohibited between 3pm and 5pm. It would also see games clash with BT's Saturday lunchtime live Premier League games, as well as Sky's Championship slot.

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Sparks is an enthusiastic supporter of clubs being allowed to stream Saturday games as an extra revenue-raiser, whereas others see the 3pm traditional or anachronistic "blackout" depending on your viewpoint as important to protect attendances at lower-league and non-league football. It was dropped when matches were played behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic, but reinstated once supporters were.

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League Two Mansfield Town have not waited for a group decision, moving their October 15 game against Walsall to kick off at 1pm.

The clocks go back on October 30.

Saturday 3pm is the traditional kick-off time for English league football, though this has been eroded as the number of televised games has rocketed.

Bradford are therefore asking their fans what they think to help inform the arguments on Thursday.

Supporters can have their say here until 5pm on Friday, although they will need to respond sooner to have them taken into account in Thursday's meeting.

Related topics:Ryan SparksEFLSupporters