Changes to three Sheffield Wednesday fixtures including Leicester City - fans likely to be annoyed
Disruption to Owls fixtures caused by TV selections
Changes have been made to three of Sheffield Wednesday’s fixtures after being selected for live TV coverage.
Owls fans have already expressed their frustration that the first home league game of the season against Bradford City was moved from a Saturday to a Thursday night at 8pm.
And there is likely to be more annoyance after it was confirmed that two standout away fixtures have changed date, while the kick-off time for a home clash has also altered.
The visit to Oakwell to face Barnsley has been switched from Saturday, November 21 to Friday, November 20 at 8pm. A month later, Wednesday will now go to Leicester City on Thursday, December 10 at 8pm instead of Saturday, December 12. Both games are live on Sky Sports Football. And they will host Luton in a 12.30pm kick-off, instead of 3pm, but the date of Saturday, December 19 remains the same. That game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.
The next batch of broadcast selections will be confirmed by November 6 for all matches to be played between the end of the FA Cup third round and the midweek of March 2-3.
Earlier this month, the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust released a statement, hitting out at the decision to move the Bradford match, while pub owners around Hillsborough have previously told The Star that such alterations can massively impact their takings by as much as half.
The trust said: “We are disappointed to learn that our opening home fixture of the season against Bradford City, originally scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, August 22, has been moved to 8pm on Thursday, August 20.
“What should have been a fantastic and exciting opportunity for supporters to come together and celebrate the opening home game of the season, and the beginning of a new era under the club's new ownership, has instead become a fixture that many fans will now struggle to attend.
“The change will undoubtedly impact families with young children, supporters with work commitments, and many travelling fans, including those making the journey from Bradford. A Saturday afternoon fixture would have provided a far more accessible occasion for supporters of both clubs.
“We urge Sky Sports and other broadcasters to give greater consideration to the needs of match-going supporters when scheduling fixtures. Football simply wouldn't exist without its fans, and they deserve to be at the heart of these decisions.
“We share the frustration of many supporters who were looking forward to celebrating the start of the new season together and hope that future scheduling decisions better reflect the interests of those who regularly attend matches.”