Is 3Pm On A Saturday Becoming Illogical?

[Ludo*1]

Admittedly this thread is partly inspired by the fact I've taken on a new job that will mean I'll miss quite a lot of Dundee games this season.

However, thinking about it, we live in a culture that now works through Saturdays. For a large percentage, Saturday's could be their busiest day of the week. We talk about pricing the family out, but in some cases, Saturday is only the real chance families can spend time together since the kids are off school - is football with its ridiculous pricing really in the top 3 choices for a young family's day out on a Saturday?

Also, 3pm - it's a bit of a day killer, is it not? Bit too early to plan anything major beforehand and is one of those times where the whole day is just a wait for the game!

What's the alternative? Well, there's pros and cons to any time slot. Would a half 7 kick-off on a Friday be more convenient? More people would be off work, but younger children would perhaps miss out. Would an earlier kick-off be better? Pubs would miss out on some business you'd think due to the times they'd be able to serve alcohol from.

We're also in a horrible situation in which we're directly competing with the EPL and their televised matches, so if we moved our schedule to say a Friday for example (Not that I'm saying Friday's are the way forward or that!) there's maybe the armchair fanbase to tap into, fans that used to support their club but realised it was easier to just stay in on a Saturday and watch 3 EPL games rather than fork out for a ticket.

We always complain about people comparing the product we have on offer to the EPL due to them being in just a different league monetary wise compared to them, but it's going to continue to happen if we put our matches on at the same time as their games and give them the choice of choosing EPL at home, or Scottish football at a dearer cost.

This thread is obviously not taking into account televised Scottish matches, I'm just meaning in general by the way!

Are we just a bit too keen on Saturday 3pm due to nostalgic reasons when we're living in more of a 24/7 world than we ever have been or is it still the best time to put our matches on at, despite it being in direct competition with the prime time EPL games?

For what it's worth, I genuinely don't know if Saturday at 3pm is the perfect time or not. I'd be open to suggestions and debate, but not against Saturday 3pm either even if it seems like it from the thread!

Sorry for the long ramble, got a bit carried away!

[Boba Fett]

Fairy clear early results so far Ludo...

Saturday's would be just as pish as Sunday's without the fitba.

Edited 5 August 2015 by Boba Fett

[MainStandMenace]

I know Friday nights sound appealing, its the case for the French and Dutch 2nd divisions but I recon this would devalue the league in the end as opposed to creating better coverage or sponsorship’s. I'd never get to see the Dee play if it went to any weeknights due to work commitments, I work every second Sat and that scuppers me from time to time as well.

Sat 3pm is the best time for the game imo, it would'nt effect me but I can't imagine boy's working till 4 or 5 jumping straight on a bus up north or down the west coast every other Friday night.

good post something different

Edited 5 August 2015 by MainStand Menace

[Ludo*1]

Fairy clear early results so far Ludo...

Saturday's would be just as pish as Sunday's without the fitba.

Yep, no qualms about the result! It's what I expected and I wasn't trying to push an alternative on anyone, was just wanting to gauge opinions and see what the debate would spring up.

[chomp my root]

As MM has said, it could make some away games tricky, I've not got my heart set on saturday at 15 o'clock and due to TV we do get some odd times for games so its already here. It's probably still the best time for most although you're right in that not so many work a 9 to 5 mon to fri gig anymore.

[JoeCovenant]

Sat. at 3 doesn't bother me.

But a move to Fridays wouldn't bother me either...

(But then it's a rare thing that I ever make away games.)

[87DEE]

Definite NO on both counts for me