Kick off times

[Sir Rebel1965]

Not sure if I picked it up correctly but was the Tooting & Mitcham game announced as a 1:00 pm kick off?

 

Is this correct and are any of the other friendlies being played at "nonstandard" times i.e. 3:00 pm om Saturdays and 7:45 pm weekdays?

[A Rebel and a Saint]

All the Saturday games are 1pm now except West Brom which is 3pm.

The evening games are still 7.45.

[Reading Rebel]

I don't think the question has been asked but why have these games been scheduled for an early kick-off?

Edited July 9, 2017 by Reading Rebel

[Neil Baker]

It was a decision we made, as it still gives the lads opportunities to spend late afternoon with families etc, and less hanging around on a Saturday for game to start.

 

Something we have done most pre seasons to be honest, if I had my way we would play league games earlier also....

[Reading Rebel]

Thanks for the prompt reply Bakes.

[Sir Rebel1965]

As posted by SRJ way back on 26th May:

 

Saturday 8th July – Wycombe Wanderers (H) – 13:30 KO
Tuesday 11th July – Wealdstone (H) – 19:45
Saturday 15th July – Tooting & Mitcham United (H) – 13:00
Saturday 22nd July – Metropolitan Police (H) – 13:00
Tuesday 25th July – Uxbridge (A) – 19:45
Saturday 29th July – West Bromwich Albion (Kevin McGoldrick testimonial) (H) – 15:00
Tuesday 1st August – Windsor (A) – 19:45
Saturday 5th August – Tonbridge Angels (A) – 13:00

 

I should have asked the boy!

[Sloughboy]

I still don't get the 1pm logic! Surely getting back into the 3pm preparing for a game routine as early as possible is the way forward!

 

Not having a pop, you guys are more experienced than most of us, I just cannot understand the logic.

[Neil Baker]

No difference to guys in the top leagues having to change to various kick off times, you just adapt, it literally makes no difference to a player whether it is 1pm or 3pm, and as I said the main reason is to finish a bit earlier so people can get back to their families etc.

Pre season is a huge commitment for players and management that lasts 6 weeks, and don't get a penny for.

When you play at 3pm your morning is all about preparation for a game, and you end up kicking your heels, so by starting earlier there is less waiting around, and then gives you longer in the afternoon/evening.

As I mentioned before, I would be more than happy to go to 1pm KOs in general, 3pm is just traditional however the premier league has broken that tradition along with many other things.

Like last year most games we played were 1pm or earlier, and it didn't do us any harm last year.

[David Carpenter]

I understand everything you are saying Neil. However,and this applies mainly at the higher levels, supporters are being pushed from pillar to post to sate the requirements of the broadcasters. For instance folk who have to go to work Monday morning may have to travel back late Sunday/early Monday. The massive money involved is staying mainly in the Premiership and then moving down to the players/agents. Meantime lower level clubs (including WW) have to struggle on.

[Curtis]

Hi Neil,

 

This is only a question with regard to understanding the level of preparation at our level of football, but as Managers do you insist on or recommend any pre-match dietary routine for the players, or do you leave this entirely to the players.

 

And which ever of these it is, would the preparation and routine be very different for a 1pm kick-off to a 3pm kick off, or would players just shift there usual pre-match meal routines by 2 hours on Saturdays when the season starts.

[Neil Baker]

Nope diets are left to the players, we are part time footballers and managers, and therefore there is an element of trust that they look after themselves (which most do). (whilst it would be great to have individual diets and fitness regimes for players, we don't have the time or the expertise for this).

 

Players know what they should be eating and at what times, and it is down to them that they prepare correctly:

 

Give you an idea as a player I would have scrambled egg on toast in the morning before a game, and pasta the night before a game, but would not eat any lunch prior to a game.

 

I would doubt very much they have to change what they do food wise, as it would rarely ever be more than one meal before a Saturday game.

 

And just going back to my previous comment, most of our games were exactly the same time last pre season, and did us no harm.

Edited July 10, 2017 by Neil Baker

[Rebel Kay]

Like the players and Managers, the volunteers who manage match days have a life too, with families etc and pre season comes around so quickly.

Match day takes up pretty much the whole day with set up etc,I for one am more than happy to start a bit earlier and get it done and still have a bit of day left for my family afterwards.

I am not moaning, because its a choice I make to be involved, but it does make life easier with earlier kick offs in my view

[Reading Rebel]

Like the players and Managers, the volunteers who manage match days have a life too, with families etc and pre season comes around so quickly.

Match day takes up pretty much the whole day with set up etc,I for one am more than happy to start a bit earlier and get it done and still have a bit of day left for my family afterwards.

I am not moaning, because its a choice I make to be involved, but it does make life easier with earlier kick offs in my view

 

 

You tell em Kay  

[David Carpenter]

I understand what you are saying and know and appreciate the massive amount of work you put in along with a number of other supporters. With your commitments to the Club it's not just about match days either. Nevertheless I think that to stray away from conventional k.o. times might affect attendances; just a gut feeling, nothing scientific.

[Sir Rebel1965]

They are only friendlies and mean nothing (other than WBA for Kev) so what does it matter.  

 

An earlier start just means those addicted to alcohol have less time to get sloshed.

[Fortunist]

Get sloshed Rebel1965?? What are you on? A lot of us don't live in Slough anymore and have to travel a long distance just to see a home game. I agree with Neil Baker in what he says that the players want to spend more time with there families. I will be at the Tooting match on Saturday even if its just a friendly according to you But will leave home at 9am just to be there for the kick off at 1pm.  

[Reading Rebel]

I might be wrong and stand to be corrected but I think Dave C was talking about if ever they changed the kick off times for league games not friendlies.

[David Carpenter]

Yes I was referring to main season games not friendlies.

[David Carpenter]

And what a good friendly we had tonight v Wealdstone!

[David Carpenter]

Just another point on the k.o. for the forthcoming game v Tooting and Mitcham. On The Bog End forum there has been some discussion regarding this and it looks like between them they have confirmed the 1-00pm time. On the Club main website however the k.o. is shown as 3-00pm so I hope their team turns up on time (I am sure this would have been sorted )! Just hope the Slough Observer gets it right this week having published the time for the WW game as being 3-00pm. I believe some people arrived late as a result.