Sky Sports slammed over new Portsmouth announcement – ‘Joke’
Portsmouth fans have a lot to be optimistic about heading into the new season.
They’ve spent well in the transfer market, capturing Adrian Segecic from Sydney FC while filling the obvious gap in the centre of the midfield.
John Mousinho’s squad have performed well in pre-season, including several players who have returned from long-term injuries.
They will go into their opening games full of confidence after an amazing run of form at the back end of last season.
Still, a familiar annoyance has soured the mood for a lot of loyal Portsmouth supporters.
Sky Sports tinker with Portsmouth fixtures once again
Several more of Portsmouth’s Championship fixtures have been rearranged so that they can be broadcast on Sky Sports.
A handful of their opening fixtures had already been moved, but Sky have now announced extra rearrangements for games in October, November and December.
These include:
- Stoke (H) – now 25 October, 12:30
- Wrexham (H) – now 5 November, 20:00
- Hull (A) – now 8 November, 12:30
- Sheffield United (A) – now 26 November, 19:45
- Bristol City (H) – now 29 November, 12:30
- Charlton (A) – now 6 December, 12:30
That’s another three games at Fratton Park with new kick-off times, plus three away fixtures.
These announcements have been made with more notice than in the past, but they’re still inconvenient for many match-going fans.
Portsmouth’s trip to Hull now kicking off at 12:30 is a pertinent example of this. Anyone who wants to travel from Portsmouth to watch this game will now have to set off in the early hours of the morning.
Indeed, many Pompey fans took to social media to complain about this match in particular.
Sky and Football League don’t care about the match-going fan
Sky Sports are broadcasting over 1,000 EFL games next season. This is great for armchair fans, and it brings more revenue to each of the 72 EFL clubs, but it comes at a cost to the average match-going fan.
Kick-off times are being rearranged to suit TV schedules, with little consideration for fans travelling across the country. Midweek away games at 20:00 or Saturday lunchtime fixtures make it almost impossible for loyal supporters to attend some games.
| Opponent | Date | Kick-off time: |
| Stoke (H) | 25 October | 12:30 |
| Wrexham (H) | 5 November | 20:00 |
| Hull (A) | 8 November | 12:30 |
| Sheffield United (A) | 26 November | 19:45 |
| Bristol City (H) | 29 November | 12:30 |
| Charlton (A) | 6 December | 12:30 |
You’ll find countless examples of kick-off times ruining the matchday atmosphere because more fans choose not to support their team inside the stadium.
Sadly, there’s not much Portsmouth’s owners can do to stop this, but the Football League has the power to stop games between northern and southern sides kicking off at such awkward times. Sadly, those in power have no interest in this.
Ultimately, this decision shows where the priorities lie: not with the fans who follow their team around the country, but with the TV companies that continue to harm the matchday experience.
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