Friday night football
There were said to be close to 4,000 Addick’s at Craven Cottage last night which will encourage Katrien Meire with her machinations of Friday night football at The Valley.
When I was younger I used to love Friday night games under the lights at The Valley. As a kid it was an excuse to stay up late, and get a basket of chicken and chips in the old Valley Club beforehand.
Then as a young man Friday night games were set up nicely for a few beers after work with mates before going into the ground. The atmosphere always seemed better, as did the results, although I am sure that is just a romantic notion playing tricks with my memory.
I am showing my age but I do remember vividly beating Plymouth on a November Friday night (it was in 1976, I’ve just looked it) and as it was Guy Fawkes night there were fireworks after. Fantastic!
There is of course some downsides. Fewer away fans will travel, so games would need to be local and of course many of our own fans have journeys too long to contemplate a night game and the majority of football supporters simply prefer 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off’s, a luxury that is allowed outside of the Sky dictated Premier League.
Also, the world has moved on and a couple of decades ago it was a straight choice on Friday nights between Wogan and The Generation Game or a few pints in the local. A chance to go to football was considered a treat. I don’t think families or mates think like that anymore.
However TV has already long decided that football is played at all times and on all days, and a season’s fixture list is littered with night games, so why not a Friday? I know my son doesn’t get home to gone 11pm after night games, but Friday is not a school night and would enable families and kids to have a free Saturday to do something else. Ooh, think of the stress-free Saturday’s like today!
Charlton could encourage families with cheap tickets or kids for a quid, a free hot dog on entry, giveaway poster or anything. Perhaps a slightly earlier kick-off too. The Brentford or Reading home games in the new year would perfect.
I think Katrien thinks so too.
I think it would be fine for the odd game as a promotion, not so good for those of us who get back between midnight and 1 a.m.
Like your comment on a stress free Saturday CA. I so enjoyed yesterday!
I thought the traffic to Craven Cottage would be a mare on a Friday night – but the coach took a mere two hours so we got there at 5.30!
I quite like the idea of a few more on Friday nights myself. Think you might pull in a few more neutrals too. The alcohol effect certainly makes for a better atmosphere. We might get back at midnight but as you say no school the next day.
Pembury Addick
I fear you have answered your own question.
The business plan, or even marketing plan for this idea of Friday night football , ignores the practical side of fans having to travel from further than people living locally. Personally for me this would be great as I live locally, but what is this based on, more than a theory that we cannot fill the valley on a Saturday?.
I think the reasons behind that are varied, and to switch the majority of games to a Friday, may gain some support, but the net gain would be minimal, if at all?
Also to abdicate Saturday’s will give Westham and there likes, every opportunity to fill there Olympic stadia with people who can watch the likes of Chelsea/Liverpool/Manchester United and co at costs I am told will be competitive, from my West-ham ‘friends’ some of which are ex Addick season ticket holders?.
If you want to generate seat take up, which when I spoke to KM, she seemed reluctant to do with a family 5 deal package. i.e 2 adults and free kids for a five game taster. she thought this would ‘devalue the ticket’…… perhaps she should sit in the lower North with me and the rows of empty seats, if she cares to consider that particular theory.
Investment in a family hub, where children and young people could go might be a way forward, and a possible safe standing area in the lower North might be worth considering.
Surprised not to have heard from Ben Kensell on this idea/theory?
I too have fond memories of night games going back even further, yes the Valley at night games does have a special atmosphere, but my sons who are ex season ticket holders have many other more attractive social events on a Friday night, that CAFC will struggle to attract at least with this level of football. They are also not alone amongst there friends.
Of course the club has to maximise its revenue, but this idea, except on an occasional basis is not backed up by a business plan, other than some of the failed marketing like the crossbars fiasco……
CA, i too have fond memories of that Plymouth game from 1976!!