Peterborough United have expressed their dissatisfaction with the scheduling of their upcoming FA Cup third-round match against Premier League side Everton.
The League One club, who will travel to Goodison Park next month, were dismayed to learn that the fixture is set to take place on Thursday, 9th January 2025, with a 7:45pm kick-off time.
Excitement Turns To Anger
The club’s management and supporters had been excited about the opportunity to visit Goodison Park for the first time in a competitive match. However, Peterborough’s CEO, Dawn Gore, and the club’s officials have voiced their concerns regarding the timing and the impact it will have on their fanbase. The club had been hopeful of securing a full allocation of tickets for what would have been their first-ever visit to the iconic stadium, and the final third-round tie at Goodison Park.
Yet, they are now unhappy with the Thursday evening slot, which they feel does not accommodate the needs of their supporters. In a statement, Peterborough said:
“We were very confident of taking a full allocation of tickets for our first visit to Goodison Park and what is the final-ever third-round tie there. On learning that the tie will take place on Thursday 9th January 2025, we are incredibly disappointed that the needs of our supporters have not been taken into consideration in this decision.”
Key Considerations
Peterborough raised three main points in their request to the Football Association to reconsider the fixture’s timing:
- There are no viable train services from Liverpool to Peterborough on the evening of the match, meaning supporters would have to travel by car or coach.
- Fans would need to take two days off work to attend the match, and many younger supporters would be unable to go due to school commitments.
- Peterborough has never played a competitive match at Goodison Park, and there has been significant interest in the fixture, which could be negatively impacted by the timing.
Peterborough are not the only side to find scheduling has messed with their travel plans. Lincoln City have been drawn away at Birmingham City; not such a glamour tie, but supporters have now been told due to the game being picked for ‘international viewers’, it will now take place at mid-day, not the usual 3 pm slot, making travel difficult.
Writer’s View
While Peterborough’s frustration is understandable, especially given the logistical and financial challenges of Thursday night fixtures, the decision likely stems from the logistical needs of the FA, taking into account broadcast schedules and other fixtures. However, it’s clear that the needs of smaller clubs and their supporters often get sidelined in such scheduling decisions.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
