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Wanderers fans have been left counting the cost after the club’s final away game of the season at Bournemouth was switched to a Monday night.
Many readers contacted The Bolton News to register their displeasure after the match was switched from Saturday, April 25 to Monday, April 27 for live coverage on Sky Sports.
A large travelling contingent was expected at the Goldsands Stadium for a game which could decide whether the Cherries are promoted to the Premier League.
Just under 1,000 supporters travelled to the south coast for the corresponding fixture last season and it has emerged many have now been saddled with non-refundable train tickets and accommodation, which were purchased in advance.
Wanderers had little say in whether the game was moved but it has been confirmed that while Bournemouth will rake in £80,000 for the game being broadcast live, Neil Lennon’s side will earn nothing as the travelling team.
It is understood the new TV deal, which will come into place next season, will see away teams take a share of the money.
Jeff Mostyn, the Bournemouth chairman, expressed his sympathy for both sets of supporters but insisted the decision to move the game was made entirely by the Football League and Sky TV.
“I am as disappointed as any of our supporters that the last home game of the season against Bolton will no longer feature as a traditional Saturday afternoon fixture.
“I have particular sympathy with followers of both clubs who had already planned their weekends around the match taking place on the Saturday.
“In the past, both clubs involved would be part of the decision-making process in the event that a game had to be rearranged. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case.
“As a consequence of the huge investment by Sky – the new Premier League deal alone is worth £5.2billion from 2016-17 – they now have total autonomy in deciding when both the Premier League and Football League fixtures will take place.
“The irony of this is, having fought hard over the past few seasons to get more television coverage for the club, as a result of our league position in the Championship and the outstanding quality of entertainment provided by the team, we are now a regular feature on Sky.
“As a matter of courtesy and respect to supporters of both teams, I want to make them aware that the decision to move the date of the game was completely out of the clubs’ hands.”
The decision was also met by an angry response from the Football Supporters Federation, who issued the following statement yesterday.
“Time and again we hear from fans losing money on train tickets and hotels thanks to games being moved for TV.
“One month's notice just isn't enough when people have to book travel and time off work in advance.
“Clubs are happy for TV companies to take the blame, but at the end of the day it's clubs and leagues who sell out their own fans.
“Clubs should do more to protect their fans when negotiating these TV contracts in the first place.”
Travelling Wanderers fans have already put up with major inconvenience this season, with matches at Norwich and Millwall switched to Friday night for television and travel purposes.
Many fans took to social media to register their annoyance.
@bwfcbri wrote: “Last away game of the season, when traditionally teams take a good following wherever it is, but as seen throughout the season our fans are not considered at all! Ipswich, Norwich, Charlton, Millwall, Boro and now B'mouth! Awful scheduling!”
@NapierDeltic55 added: “Are Sky Sports going to reimburse those of us who have booked and paid for advance rail and flight tickets Hotel accommodation etc?”
But others admit booking so far in advance is a gamble for travelling supporters.
@ColinBoucher wrote: “To be fair, people know that games get moved for TV so it is a risk to do it.”
Source
Many readers contacted The Bolton News to register their displeasure after the match was switched from Saturday, April 25 to Monday, April 27 for live coverage on Sky Sports.
A large travelling contingent was expected at the Goldsands Stadium for a game which could decide whether the Cherries are promoted to the Premier League.
Just under 1,000 supporters travelled to the south coast for the corresponding fixture last season and it has emerged many have now been saddled with non-refundable train tickets and accommodation, which were purchased in advance.
Wanderers had little say in whether the game was moved but it has been confirmed that while Bournemouth will rake in £80,000 for the game being broadcast live, Neil Lennon’s side will earn nothing as the travelling team.
It is understood the new TV deal, which will come into place next season, will see away teams take a share of the money.
Jeff Mostyn, the Bournemouth chairman, expressed his sympathy for both sets of supporters but insisted the decision to move the game was made entirely by the Football League and Sky TV.
“I am as disappointed as any of our supporters that the last home game of the season against Bolton will no longer feature as a traditional Saturday afternoon fixture.
“I have particular sympathy with followers of both clubs who had already planned their weekends around the match taking place on the Saturday.
“In the past, both clubs involved would be part of the decision-making process in the event that a game had to be rearranged. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case.
“As a consequence of the huge investment by Sky – the new Premier League deal alone is worth £5.2billion from 2016-17 – they now have total autonomy in deciding when both the Premier League and Football League fixtures will take place.
“The irony of this is, having fought hard over the past few seasons to get more television coverage for the club, as a result of our league position in the Championship and the outstanding quality of entertainment provided by the team, we are now a regular feature on Sky.
“As a matter of courtesy and respect to supporters of both teams, I want to make them aware that the decision to move the date of the game was completely out of the clubs’ hands.”
The decision was also met by an angry response from the Football Supporters Federation, who issued the following statement yesterday.
“Time and again we hear from fans losing money on train tickets and hotels thanks to games being moved for TV.
“One month's notice just isn't enough when people have to book travel and time off work in advance.
“Clubs are happy for TV companies to take the blame, but at the end of the day it's clubs and leagues who sell out their own fans.
“Clubs should do more to protect their fans when negotiating these TV contracts in the first place.”
Travelling Wanderers fans have already put up with major inconvenience this season, with matches at Norwich and Millwall switched to Friday night for television and travel purposes.
Many fans took to social media to register their annoyance.
@bwfcbri wrote: “Last away game of the season, when traditionally teams take a good following wherever it is, but as seen throughout the season our fans are not considered at all! Ipswich, Norwich, Charlton, Millwall, Boro and now B'mouth! Awful scheduling!”
@NapierDeltic55 added: “Are Sky Sports going to reimburse those of us who have booked and paid for advance rail and flight tickets Hotel accommodation etc?”
But others admit booking so far in advance is a gamble for travelling supporters.
@ColinBoucher wrote: “To be fair, people know that games get moved for TV so it is a risk to do it.”
Source
