Gravesend game now on a Friday night

[Staying-up]

I see on the website that we are now playing Gravesend on friday 20th Jabuary instead of Saturday 21s January. Have not known Gravesend to play on a Friday before so not sure why they have changed. Its a pain for me as I work Friday nights and it will mean taking a night off. Dont want to miss that game as its the shortest away trip(even shorter than Grays I believe) will be good to combine it with a trip to Bluewater.

[A Non E Mouse]

Could be down to a couple of things - I understand that they have been talking about staging the odd Friday evening game and they also share the same stewards with Grays.

 

Be interesting to see if the Friday evening kick off theory makes any odds to the crowd numbers.

 

Sods law says that they move the date and it'll bugger some one up. For me it's the closest game there is, only 15 minutes away and free to do what I want on Saturday!

[Harry J Allstars]

Isn't Grays closer for you? You should get to Grays before you get to the brigde? Anyway I know this is a bit of a bugger for you but it is worth remembering that we would not be allowed to change anything without your clubs say so.

[A Non E Mouse]

Quote:

Harry J Allstars said:
Isn't Grays closer for you? You should get to Grays before you get to the brigde? Anyway I know this is a bit of a bugger for you but it is worth remembering that we would not be allowed to change anything without your clubs say so.

Personally I ain't got a problem with the change.

Harry - Gravesend is nearer on a Friday as I work fairly locally in Kent and don't need to worry about the bridge. Grays would be nearer on a Saturday <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm sure the switch was mutually agreeable to both clubs but it will bugger some fans up - Gravesend as well as Canvey. Be interesting to see if the switch to a Friday is worthwhile as I wouldn't mind seeing a Friday night KO at the Lane - but I'm not sure how the fans would react in general.

[Ribbit]

I'm not sure about Friday evening KO's. It's a pain in the backside most of the time, 'cause I might be able to go to the game on a Saturday, but a Friday night I might be working.

 

In a similar way, I don't agree with moving games for pointless reasons - both our games with Grays over Christmas have been moved. Before I would have been able to see both, but now it's doubtful I'll see the one the day after Boxing Day and the game the day after New Years Day could possibly be a doubt too. It's a shame, because they were the two games I was looking forward to more than any others this season.

[CANV EFM]

friday night football is brilliant.. leave work, get pissed, watch match..

[The Great Eckscape]

Gravesend may be closest as the crow flies, but Grays is our closest in terms of road miles. I'm glad it's been moved as we can go to a match the following day with the Gravesend lads.

[yellow angel]

yes,but its not very convenient for those who have to work.and what about those of us who bring young kids? thought we wanted to attract them to support the club?

if we took the lad with us he wouldnt be home before 11pm.

[The Great Eckscape]

I work in Southend, but it's not exactly far to travel. I'll probably finish at 6pm that day and still make it comfortably. All depends on how dedicated you are

[yellow angel]

Quote:

The Great Eckscape said:
I work in Southend, but it's not exactly far to travel. I'll probably finish at 6pm that day and still make it comfortably. All depends on how dedicated you are

we all have different circumstances dont we?
my husband doesnt always finish work until late in the evening.should he be so dedicated that he loses (in effect) half a days pay?

[CANV EFM]

friday night football is more fun because there are usually less kids and a lot more pissed up adults..

[The Great Eckscape]

Somethings you can't put a monetary value on, following your team is one of these

[yellow angel]

Quote:

The Great Eckscape said:
Somethings you can't put a monetary value on, following your team is one of these

take it that you dont have any family commitments then? like a wife,kids or mortgage to pay.
and i dont think anyone should imply that another supporter isnt sufficiently "dedicated".

[A Non E Mouse]

Everyone has different circumstances and even those that are most loyal fans it is sometimes totally impractical to get to a game.

 

Friday night footy is fun but I don't think it makes that much of an impact on crowds.

 

I used to watch Southend on a Friday night in the eighties and saw crowds of approx. 1500 - I can't remember those increasing greatly when switched to a Saturday.

 

I think you gain a few extra who go and watch their league club on a Saturday or need to go shopping for some strange reason <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> but you wil lose the kids because of the time and those that work late etc. I think it's generally negligible.

 

I think we also have to pay any accomodation etc. for the opposing team so they would need to be local matches so they can travel back that night. Might have been worth swapping a Tuesday night game for a Friday (Gravesend, Aldershot or Stevenage)but there's probably a league rule somewhere..........

[ken]

i work in london so i can jusmp on the train straight to gravesend, nice and easy. plus i get all day staurday to sit around in my pants

[Ribbit]

Quote:

The Great Eckscape said:
Somethings you can't put a monetary value on, following your team is one of these

Come off it. I'd love to go to every Canvey game, but I work shifts and unless I'm on a particular shift, or have the day off, it's hard for me to get to games. Hence I haven't seen us play since York and haven't been down the Lane since Southport. I can't wait to see the boys win tomorrow.

I don't think having work commitments makes me any less a fan.

[ronin]

It will suit some and not others, i personally think we will have less fans there but plenty managed to make a Tuesday night in the Ryman days.

 

The club has mentioned before that it would like to have more home games on Fridays so i guess if another club asks for a Friday game you have to at least consider it.

[Ribbit]

Can anyone explain why we shifted our games with Grays over the Christmas period? I think that was a terrible decision, to be honest.

 

(Southend have changed quite a few of their games to Friday nights in the past and will probably do so again. I believe they've noticed an increase in attendances.)

 

I think the atmosphere is a bit better on a Friday night as there's generally more of a party atmosphere. Football, should always be a Saturday thing though, 'cause it's tradition.

[The Great Eckscape]

If you want to get to a game enough you will do, simple as that. My mate is a Southend fan, married, 9 months old baby, works shifts. He has done every Southend game home and away this year as it's the centenary. If you're implying there aren't any full time football fans with families and mortgages with ordinary jobs then you're having a chuckle.

 

I didn't imply that anyone was less of a fan, all I said is that it depends how dedicated you are. How can you argue with that?

[ken]

i dont think it has anything to do with dedication. sometimes there are things that have to be done. if you work at the same time as a game, it has nothing to do with dedication that you cant make it, it is to do with you having to work. the key is if you are bothered or not. i miss quite a few week day games just because it is impossible to get to them because of work. it doesnt make me any less dedicated. it just means i dont have the ability to be in two places at once.

 

as far as the boxing day fixture goes, i couldnt be happier it has moved. there are two reasons,

 

a. i can never make boxing day due to family commitments and really wanted to get to this game,

 

b. i can now watch the football on TV on boxing day and then go and watch the game the day after.

 

it is still a public holiday so no one will be at work so i cant see that it makes any difference, infact i think it will increase the crowd as lots of people have to see the family on boxing day.