A lower-division football team says rising energy prices have forced the country to kick off a match next month.
Mansfield Town’s League 2 game against Walsall now starts at 1pm instead of 3pm, in an apparent effort to save money on the cost of floodlights.
It is hoped that earlier start times will help the club pay less for energy as the afternoons get colder and darker – with Saturday’s October 15 game as a trial run.
The move comes with many clubs in English american football League (EFL) is struggling financially – even as the Government announced an emergency package for companies faced with rising energy costs, including football clubs.
It is unclear whether many other clubs will follow The Stags’ lead.
But there are fears that amid the cost of living crisis, with rapidly declining disposable incomes, community clubs will be hit by the double whammy of lower receipts at the gate and rising costs.
In a pronunciationexplained the club yesterday: ‘Mansfield Town’s Sky Bet League Two home game against Walsall on Saturday 15 October will now start at 1pm earlier.
“The game was originally supposed to start at 3 p.m.
‘The club is making every effort to mitigate the coming sharp increase in energy bills.
“As part of these efforts, the earlier start time will allow the club to determine significant savings in floodlight use and other energy costs.”
However, some Stags fans were unimpressed with the move.
On Twitter, Benedict Mason responded to the news by writing: “I don’t understand why you would do this when you also move the Hartlepool game from a Saturday night to a Friday night, where the floodlights have to be used for the entire game. ?’
That game now starts next Friday at 7:45 PM, instead of the following Saturday afternoon, announced the club last month.
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After the latest game schedule change, fan Peter Hrycaj said on social media: ‘What about people who work Saturday mornings? Are they being considered?’
Andy Squire called the move “a bad decision” and suggested it could lead to the loss of at least 1,500 fans attending the game.
‘Owen’ wrote: ‘I’ve already booked my trains. Ridiculous,” while others emphasized how the move could affect fans’ prearranged plans for Saturday morning.
The EFL plans to continue discussions with clubs about the impact of rising energy costs and the issue will be discussed at a future meeting, Metro.co.uk understands.
But earlier kick-off times pose other problems, particularly in terms of travel and attendance for away fans.
Winter weather can also force clubs to use their floodlights, regardless of the start time later in the year and early 2023.
Clubs can agree to earlier kick-off times for their matches under the current rules.
Mansfield’s statement added: “In addition, after the trial with this change in kick-off time, the club will be in a better position to determine whether an earlier kick-off on a Saturday would affect future attendances.”
Walsall FC stated that the kick-off change had been agreed but did not comment further.
The EFL declined to comment when Metro.co.uk contacted them.
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