Fans want Brighton switch

Last updated : 08 January 2006 By Tony Scholes


Brighton went out of the FA Cup yesterday, losing at home to Coventry, and with the Clarets also going out it leaves us both with a free date on Saturday 28th January. Three days after that date we are due at the delightful Withdean Stadium (pictured above) for a league fixture and the two clubs should surely now be looking at bringing this one forward.

Officials for many of our Supporters Clubs are hoping as much, particularly those that provide coaches to transport fans to the game. Bill Hadfield, Boundary Clarets Chairman told us, “There is no logical reason why this game cannot now be brought forward,” and Colne Clarets Treasurer Alan Beecroft added, “It makes common sense to move it to the Saturday, it is more convenient for the fans who won’t need to take two days holiday from work and it means more supporters will be able to attend the game.”

The current fixture schedule has hardly been kind to us, taking us to Norwich, QPR, Cardiff, Brighton and Ipswich for consecutive away games during the weeks when the weather is expected to be at its worst. And if the Brighton game is played on the Tuesday, it means another miserable and long midweek journey just a month after the crazy Christmas week game at Norwich.

Clubs have moved games to blank weekends before, so there are no rules preventing such a switch, and we look forward to the two clubs making an announcement this week that the game will now be played on the preceding Saturday.