Tuesday 19 January 2016

The Blades' Big Sky Bill


So it started with a tweet 


and with the added thoughts and support of fellow Blade Luke Prest the idea has germinated to this......

As you have no doubt seen, Sky TV have chosen our trip to Southend to be televised. This has resulted in a change of date and kick off from 3:00 pm on the Easter Bank Holiday Monday - a traditional footballing date - to 7:45 pm on the following Wednesday.


Time and time again, Sky do this to clubs across the land. The feelings, finances and desires of supporters are never once considered when these decisions are made by TV companies.



Sheffield to Southend is no short trip. With it being the Bank Holiday, large numbers of United will have booked hotels, travel, match tickets etc. well in advance in anticipation of a long weekend or just a good day out by the Essex seaside. These plans and not so insignificant financial commitments are now ruined or increased further by the decision of Sky to change the day and time of the fixture at just 8 weeks notice. Some may say 8 weeks is plenty of notice, but it is not just that, moving the match from a Bank Holiday - which makes it much easier for fans to attend - to a midweek night suddenly affects more people. What was a planned weekend away is no more. The need to book trains in advance to get the best prices, to line up accommodation around a Bank Holiday weekend means that action has already taken place and finances committed.



So what can we, as fans, do about this? The idea we are mooting is that the cost of Sky's action is calculated as a whole on behalf of all Blades and issued by way of an open letter/invoice to Sky. Seeking recompense for individual fans is probably stretching it, but instead we propose the total cost incurred by fans is settled by way of a donation to a nominated Sheffield charity. We can set up a vote so Blades fans can choose the recipients, assuming Sky see fit to pay.



So we ask that if you had made arrangements for the Southend match prior to Sky's rearranging of the fixture, you detail them by replying to this post, completing the Contact Form in the sidebar to the right of this post or by emailing email@lukeprest.com where they will be collated. We will then issue a total 'invoice' from us, the supporters of Sheffield United.



Please include your name, address, and details of any costs you have incurred as a result of the change in fixture - these could be lost wages, cancelled hotels, re-booking of train tickets etc. If you haven't already booked, don't feel left out. Can you demonstrate that the cost of travel have changed to your financial detriment? The key factor is that whatever we include has to be credible and real.

Please try and email/reply by Sunday 24th January and assuming we have a good response we will issue the bill early next week.

Just think what a small but ultimately powerful message this could provide. The Star have expressed interest in the idea, there were plenty of calls to Football Heaven tonight so we will make sure Radio Sheffield are aware of the plan and we will be letting the Football Supporters Federation know as well. For a small amount of your time in sending us the details you can demonstrate your anger and frustration at the contempt and ignorance shown to you, whilst hopefully helping a local charity benefit.

#TheBladesBigSkyBill

We are not the only fans to suffer from late notice fixture changes, with the cost implications and inconvenience that they cause. Hopefully other clubs' fans might see this and follow suit, or find their own ways to challenge the status quo. Football without fans is nothing. Football matches without away fans are sterile, muted, dispassionate events. It shouldn't have to be that way.


Thanks and Up The Blades.


11 comments:

  1. I had leave booked at work and hotels pre booked so very disappointed with sky doing as they please. I now can't attend this fixture due to it been re arranged for a Wednesday evening.

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    1. How much would that have cost you (roughly)?

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  2. £50 hotel cancellation (2 rooms @ £25)

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  3. Simply, I can't go now. That's the most irritating aspect

    @bedders30

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  4. Simply, I can't go now. That's the most irritating aspect

    @bedders30

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  5. I like the fact you want to make a stand, I really do, but I think this lacks credibility on all grounds, except inconvenience maybe? I don't know what kind of hotel you guys have booked if you can't cancel free of charge with 5 weeks notice? But that's not normal. Most hotels allow you to cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before.

    As for booked travel - the same thing applies. You should be able to get a refund so far in advance.

    So really the only thing to complain about is the way Sky TV money bosses the game and spoils what would have been a very enjoyable weekend on the coast with friends over a bank holiday. And that's not inconsiderable - but I don't see a claim there.

    Makes a nice story though and credit to you for making this stand because you reflect what many football fans feel. As the guy above said, "Simply I can't go now. That's the most irritating aspect".

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    1. This change actually helps me as I'll be on a ferry on the Monday but will be able to watch in a pub on the Wednesday. However, I empathise with those who have been let down due to the change as I've been there before. The problems associated with Sky and how it tramples on the common football supporter have been discussed at length before but whilever people are willing to subscribe, Sky will continue to trample all over football. It's no longer about local communities supporting their local team. It's about how many countries the football being filmed can be sold to as entertainment.

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    2. most flights are unchangeable and I very nearly booked for my son and me to go to this one. Would have cost at least 200 euros and would have also broken his heart

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  6. Hi
    We had two hotel rooms booked, £90 non refundable, 3 x Paul Heaton £90 non refundable, train booked x3 £110
    So just short of £300. Shambles

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  7. A lost weekend away in Southend has done you a favour However fully agree with the sentiments.Sky has pretty much killed football as a spectator sport for the common man. We have the same problems at Leeds
    Sky tv is f''king shit

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  8. Good luck guys in making a stand.

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