The Big Sky Bill - Southend Away

[bornablade]

Not just sky in my opinion, rip into the football league as well, in fact give United a dig in the ribs also.
The money comes in handy for united I know, but it's not on.
Charlton players reimbursed the fans for their embaressing show at Huddersfield I think it was.
Just an idea.

'Players reimbursing fans for embarrassing shows'....Well that's the pension sorted out.

 

[sheepbridge]

Good luck with this, but I suspect Sky will just say they aren't responsible for fixture dates. They might request changes for TV but the actual responsibility for the change is the Football League.

 

[finlaytheblade]

And if Sky reply with a plain and simple "no"?

Typical Barney response negative as usual

 

[Blade56]

It will still be a lot of negative publicity for them.

Some media mogul will turn it into negative publicity for Blades fans as usual

 

[Highbury_Blade]

There are a couple of differences here though.

One this fixture is for a Bank Holiday away fixture at a seaside town for a team with a big away following. They are moving it with less than five weeks notice

Eh? Easter Monday is March 28, nearly 10 weeks away.

 

[FleaPitBlade]

£3,254,85 and counting.

 

[stringjunior]

£3,254,85 and counting.

Ha! That's brilliant. Although I can tell why you're an artist rather than a mathematician

 

[FleaPitBlade]

Ha! That's brilliant. Although I can tell why you're an artist rather than a mathematician

Three Thousand two hundred and fifty four pounds and eighty five pence.

 

[Bladepicker]

Eh? Easter Monday is March 28, nearly 10 weeks away.

Yep, got it spectacularly wrong! Saw a rant saying less than 5 weeks notice on some social media and took that as read without even thinking. Obviously it is more than 5 weeks away, my point still stands though with 10 weeks notice.

 

[Jonboy60]

Good luck with this, but I suspect Sky will just say they aren't responsible for fixture dates. They might request changes for TV but the actual responsibility for the change is the Football League.

My thoughts also, sky wouldn't be able to do anything without the agreement of all parties surely. Alas money talks, fuck the fans.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Yep, got it spectacularly wrong! Saw a rant saying less than 5 weeks notice on some social media and took that as read without even thinking. Obviously it is more than 5 weeks away, my point still stands though with 10 weeks notice.

Never repeat anything you've seen on Social media without fact checking it first

 

[SUFC Guy]

The trouble is Murdoch and Sky will never suffer. There will always be the thousands and thousands of plastic fan subscribers that pay to watch MUFC, MCFC and the like because they either live too far away from the stadiums, cannot get a ticket or are simply too plastic fantastic!

Great idea though OP and hope something good comes of it.

 

[Bladesway]

Please see here and below... http://aunitedview.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/the-blades-big-sky-bill.html

So it started with a tweet



and with the added thoughts and support of fellow Blade Luke Prest the idea has germinated to this......

As you have no doubt seen, Sky TV have chose our trip to Southend to be televised. This has resulted in a change of date and kick off from 3:00 pm on the Easter Bank Holiday Monday - a traditional footballing date - to 7:45 pm on the following Wednesday.
Time and time again, Sky do this to clubs across the land. The feelings, finances and desires of supporters is never once considered when these decisions are made by TV companies.

Sheffield to Southend is no short trip,. With it being the Bank Holiday, large numbers of United will have booked hotels, travel, match tickets etc. well in advance in anticipation of a long weekend or just a good day out by the Essex seaside. These plans and not so insignificant financial commitments are now ruined or increased further by the decision of Sky to change the day and time of the fixture at just 5 weeks notice. But not just that, moving the match from a Bank Holiday - which makes it much easier for fans to attend - to a midweek night.

So what can we, as fans, do about this? The idea we are mooting is that the cost of Sky's action is calculated as a whole on behalf of all Blades and issued, by way of an open letter/invoice to Sky. Seeking recompense for individual fans is probably stretching it, but instead we propose the total cost incurred by fans is settled by way of a donation to a nominated Sheffield charity. We can set up a vote so Blades fans can choose the recipients, assuming Sky see fit to pay.

So we ask that if you had made arrangements for the Southend match prior to Sky's rearranging of the fixture, you detail them by replying to this post, completing the Contact Form in the sidebar to the right of this post or by emailing [email protected] where they will be collated. We will then issue a total 'invoice' from us, the supporters of Sheffield United.

Please include your name, address, and details of any costs you have incurred as a result of the change in fixture - these could be lost wages, cancelled hotels, re-booking of train tickets etc. If you haven't already booked, don't feel left out. Can you demonstrate that the cost of travel have changed to your financial detriment? The key factor is that whatever we include has to be credible and real.

Please try and email/reply by Sunday 24th January and assuming we have a good response we will issue the bill early next week.

Just think what a small but ultimately powerful message this could provide. The Star have expressed interest in the idea, there were plenty of calls to Football Heaven tonight so we will make sure Radio Sheffield are aware of the plan and we will be letting the Football Supporters Federation know as well. For a small amount of your time in sending us the details you can demonstrate your anger and frustration at the contempt and ignorance shown to you, whilst hopefully helping a local charity benefit.

#TheBladesBigSkyBill

We are not the only fans to suffer from late notice fixture changes, with the cost implications and inconvenience that they cause. Hopefully other clubs' fans might see this and follow suit, or find their own ways to challenge the status quo. Football without fans is nothing. Football matches without away fans are sterile, muted, dispassionate events. It shouldn't have to be that way.
Thanks and Up The Blades.

Well done for trying to do something positive on behalf of football fans. Massive credit to you for doing so.

Oh and if all those moaning about it not making a difference cancelled their sky subscriptions then yes, it can make a difference. Sitting on your hands and paying out 60 quid per month or whatever makes you part of the problem.

 

[Jonboy60]

There is now a petition on Facebook about this very problem, fans from all levels of the football league signing it. Signed it last night, and looked at some of the complaints.
Mostly Leeds fans, from what I saw.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

There is now a petition on Facebook about this very problem, fans from all levels of the football league signing it. Signed it last night, and looked at some of the complaints.
Mostly Leeds fans, from what I saw.

Link?

 

[Jonboy60]

Link?

If only Highbury, the amount of times I've tried when I thought blades may be interested. Always fail.

 

[Jonboy60]

Link?

Google "change.org" go into browser, and scroll down, or request, petition to football league.

 

[S5Blade]

Presume it's this one?

https://www.change.org/p/football-l...lowing-sky-to-change-fixtures-at-short-notice

However, given our circumstances, 10 weeks is hardly short notice is it?

 

[Jonboy60]

Presume it's this one?

https://www.change.org/p/football-l...lowing-sky-to-change-fixtures-at-short-notice

However, given our circumstances, 10 weeks is hardly short notice is it?

That's the one, cheers S5Blade.

 

[Newbury Blade]

Great Idea. Newbury Blade any chance of a feature in the Guardian?

I'll suggest it.

 

[YES Blade]

"All fixtures subject to change"

Simple as that really, fair play to have a go, but I personally can't see it getting anywhere.

 

[Darren]

"All fixtures subject to change"

Simple as that really, fair play to have a go, but I personally can't see it getting anywhere.

You're probably right that, as a matter of law, the supporters have no claim. However, that's not the point - the idea is to publicise the issue and cause Sky embarrassment.

 

[diplomat]

Whilst I condone the idea of bringing a voice to the fans and so forth, and I don't mean this to be negative but how many people who are moaning gave a shit before their planned weekend at the seaside was disrupted? As I say, I agree with the sentiment but to make a difference the song needs to be sung consistently among all fans which might mean having to back dirty L**ds who seem to play any day apart from Saturday.

As another point, do sky still give the teams involved cash for being involved in the game? E.g. fifty grand or something. . . If so they will point the protest to the club and suggest we ask the club to reimburse from that won't they?

Either way good luck. I'm all for any negative publicity on the circus that has become footy today.

 

[carthesis]

It's a brilliant idea, and I hope it gets somewhere, but the issue then becomes where do you draw the line?

In this instance, they've given 10 weeks+ of notice. That's more than enough for practically every human endeavour, and given that you can only buy advance (cheap) train tickets only 12 weeks in advance, and the tickets aren't on sale for the match yet, hardly seems unfair when viewed objectively. Obviously some people - like the fans from Berlin - will be significantly inconvenienced, but to an extent that's luck of the draw. They could have delayed flights, or cancelled tickets, or there could be flooding, whatever - all things that could mean the match was put back with no-one to "blame".

Bury made it through to the 4th Round last night - for example - and as a result our away game with them at Gigg Lane has been "re-arranged" (read: cancelled until they know how far Bury are going in the Cup). That's with far far far less notice. Alright - Bury from Sheffield isn't that far in the grand scheme, but imagine if Southend had made it through and we were due to play them in a week or so on a Saturday? Isn't that just the same problem, albeit not caused by Sky? As YES Blade and Darren point out - "All fixtures are subject to change".

As I say, don't get me wrong, hope against hope it works and some charity gets a decent donation, especially as I've no love lost for Sky at all. But I think you'll probably struggle.

 

[TonyAgana]

Regarding the charity angle... tie it in with this somehow? http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-childrens-hospital-make-it-better-2208100.aspx They're only after £25,000 - over 10% covered by your campaign already!

 

[judge]

Everyone going to the re-arranged match wear 'Fuck-Sky' t-shirts, carry banners and unveil a big flag of Murdoch's face with the word 'cunt' across it?

..just a thought...

Im in
Im not going like but i will do it anyway

 

[Finn Keane o' Balmaqueen]

Tickets haven't gone on sale.

That's it, in one line.

The End.

 

[UpTheClough]

I applaud the effort that has gone into this but surely booking hotels and making travel arrangements which are set in stone is a risk. Whose to say their won't be flooding or Snow (It has happened at easter before) which could cause the game to be moved. I agree wholeheartedly that sky are responsible for so much that is wrong with the modern game but this really isn't an example to be trying to publicise. People have taken a chance by booking cheap fares and unfortunately been caught out hardly the biggest crime against football Sky have committed moving a league 1 fixture .

 

[Taramasalata]

Stop whinging...tickets not on sale yet, what happens if another flood happens and Southend goes under..who would you complain to then...?

Get a grip, its football...but run by the TV companies..you all wanted live football 24/7, its not far away...if that bothered, everyone pull their sky subcscription, be a better result, mebbe all teh chicken littles who keep saying the world must end for football soon may get their wish sooner rather than later...

 

[mattbianco1]

Brilliant news. This means I can watch it now. Bonus