coming so soon after Walsall as well I entirely understand why people are going to be raging about this. luckily my anger only extends to the fact that I can no longer attend the game, though if I had've paid out for travel already I would be going bananas (as I was for Walsall)
[cite]Posted By: shirty5[/cite]As usual, the fans who pay to go week in, week out get crapped on by Sky. To change a game with less than a month's notice, and when the tickets are being sold, shows that the likes of Sky don't care about football fans.
I'm 20 notes out of pocket, re train fares for this, and i know that is the risk you take booking train tickets weeks before in advance, however what you don't except is this crap from sky.
Be warned for future away trips now.
I checked Sky schedule before I booked my train tickets in early December and they had Football League fixtures picked right up to the end of February so thought this one was safe. I don't care if "fixtures are subject to change", switching it for TV 3 and a half weeks in advance is appalling.
If Hartlepool FC can get Grand Central Trains to let advance tickets booked for the original date remain available for the rearranged fixture following a weather postponement, it would be nice if CAFC could approach First Great Western and ask them to adopt a similar policy for this fixture. Any chance Airman?
Are the Football League just as much to blame as Sky?...or are Sky given a certain amount of games per year and can pick and choose accordingly without the FL being able to do anything about it?
Seems Sky have the Football League by the b@llocks.
Have just spoken to the FL and generally they like changes to be made 8 weeks in advance but it is only advisory. Basically FL have to honour commercial commitments to Sky but it seems to come down to the clubs to make the decisions. I can see that Rovers want the money, but did we agree to it, and if so, why?
[cite]Posted By: stilladdicted[/cite]Have just spoken to the FL and generally they like changes to be made 8 weeks in advance but it is only advisory. Basically FL have to honour commercial commitments to Sky but it seems to come down to the clubs to make the decisions. I can see that Rovers want the money, but did we agree to it, and if so, why?
Just guessing:
We get no "gate" money, but do get paid "TV" Money ?
Re. my previous post, have just emailed Dave Archer at CAFC to see if they are willing to assist in anyway for those of us who have already booked train tickets. I'll let you know if I get anything back.
[cite]Posted By: stilladdicted[/cite]Have just spoken to the FL and generally they like changes to be made 8 weeks in advance but it is only advisory. Basically FL have to honour commercial commitments to Sky but it seems to come down to the clubs to make the decisions. I can see that Rovers want the money, but did we agree to it, and if so, why?
If Charlton have agreed to this to get an extra pay day of Sky then the least they can do is make sure there own supporters don't end up out of pocket as a result.
It's one thing trying to get the club to talk to train companies but if anyone is suggesting the club should foot their travel expenses they've got to be kidding right?
[cite]Posted By: ISawLeaburnScore[/cite]It's one thing trying to get the club to talk to train companies but if anyone is suggesting the club should foot their travel expenses they've got to be kidding right?
Depends on the maths Isaw.
How many of the 400 have booked trains? 50? What's the aaverage cost of those tickets (saver advance from Paddington) 20 quid? What's the telly money worth to us minus 1k? I reckon it would be reasonable.
[cite]Posted By: ISawLeaburnScore[/cite]It's one thing trying to get the club to talk to train companies but if anyone is suggesting the club should foot their travel expenses they've got to be kidding right?
Don't seriously expect them to, but if the club has played a part in agreeing to a fixture move at this late date just to line their pockets (admittedly with much needed cash), then I think I am entitled to be disappointed that they appear not to have taken the interests of their supporters into account.
I fully understand that £70,000 or whatever they get from Sky is probably not an amount we can afford to turn down, but at the same time I can't afford to go around chucking £20 down the drain. Ultimately I just think it's very wrong that a fixture can be moved at such short notice and when the clubs themselves have already started selling tickets. I wouldn't be surprised if at least 300 of the 400 already sold get returned. Don't know why I'm surprised, I've got Arsenal mates who have to put up with this sort of thing all season long - it's a really bad culture that Sky has created though.
I just don't think we have a leg to stand on here. This is obviously a situation engineered by Sky on the basis of their exploitative relationship with the Football League and the game as a whole.
Regardless of other considerations, including us the supporter, could Charlton realistically ever say anything apart from "Yes" and bite their hands off?
£70,000 might end up paying someone's wages for a good few months.
I know the feeling of pissing money into the wind for this club but think we were in a difficult situation here.
On the one hand we want to keep our best players and add to our squad. On the other situations like this crop up. Differing views don't sit altogether that comfortably when you look at it like that.
[cite]Posted By: ISawLeaburnScore[/cite]It's one thing trying to get the club to talk to train companies but if anyone is suggesting the club should foot their travel expenses they've got to be kidding right?
In pretty much any other sphere of life if you have a contract (which a supporter has if they purchase a ticket) and one party breaches that contract (which has happened because moving a game from a Saturday afternoon to a Monday evening could reasonably make it difficult for people to attend), then the party in breach would compensate the other one. So, while I'd not expect them to offer it, it's not an insane suggestion.
We all accept that Sky is with us and will change match dates, but to do it after tickets have been printed and sold, seems to be very wrong. Why is it so difficult for them to schedule these things?
Mate I agree with you and as a (future) trainee solicitor I am aware of the contractual considerations, I'm merely treating the situation from a practical point of view. Honouring the contract of sale will be seen as refunding the price of the ticket. I am afraid that on it's face that's that. There is no obligation to reserve travel in-advance (you may live in Bristol for example), although for example I regularly do this, and I assume (as with Walsall), if you do it through an organisation other than the club, it's at your own risk.
I think it's disgusting. Disgusting on Sky's part. They can wake up one morning, decide there's a gap in their coverage and dangle a few grand in front of a couple of desperate clubs' noses without a care in the world.
In our case though, the contract terms do warn that changes can be made and we buy tickets on that basis. Whether or not it constitutes a 'fair contract', I'll let the legals argue. Glad for the club to get some extra money but feel that the FL should push Sky by having a rule that it cannot expect changes to schedules once tickets have gone on sale.
[cite]Posted By: Ketman[/cite]Ah well there goes my 40th Birthday weekend in Bristol up in smoke, pretty p*ssed off may still go but not for the weekend :-(
PS the £70K people are talking about for a SkY game is nearer £45k per club.
[cite]Posted By: Ketman[/cite]Ah well there goes my 40th Birthday weekend in Bristol up in smoke, pretty p*ssed off may still go but not for the weekend :-(
[cite]Posted By: Ketman[/cite]Ah well there goes my 40th Birthday weekend in Bristol up in smoke, pretty p*ssed off may still go but not for the weekend :-(
Ditto!
didn't know you were as old as ketters!
ha well spotted sausage.
How disappointing tho for all the weekend plans. esp ketman.
E-mail address for any comments/ complaints you wish to make to the FL. I just feel it's about time that supporters were given a bit of respect.
The fans' forum has just sent an email to that address plus copied to CAFC and BRFC to find out who is responsible and if there is a way to compensate fans that have paid out monies for accomodation/travel added to the recent postponement of games.
if any response is received will forward on. Anyone got an address at Sky?
Comments
I checked Sky schedule before I booked my train tickets in early December and they had Football League fixtures picked right up to the end of February so thought this one was safe. I don't care if "fixtures are subject to change", switching it for TV 3 and a half weeks in advance is appalling.
On a separate note, see the following link:
http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10326~1925524,00.html
If Hartlepool FC can get Grand Central Trains to let advance tickets booked for the original date remain available for the rearranged fixture following a weather postponement, it would be nice if CAFC could approach First Great Western and ask them to adopt a similar policy for this fixture. Any chance Airman?
Seems Sky have the Football League by the b@llocks.
With respect, are you ever?
The most truthful post ever ?
;-)
Just guessing:
We get no "gate" money, but do get paid "TV" Money ?
pretty self-explanatory
If Charlton have agreed to this to get an extra pay day of Sky then the least they can do is make sure there own supporters don't end up out of pocket as a result.
i didn't plan on doing this one, but now i can watch it.
*armchair*
Depends on the maths Isaw.
How many of the 400 have booked trains? 50? What's the aaverage cost of those tickets (saver advance from Paddington) 20 quid? What's the telly money worth to us minus 1k? I reckon it would be reasonable.
Don't seriously expect them to, but if the club has played a part in agreeing to a fixture move at this late date just to line their pockets (admittedly with much needed cash), then I think I am entitled to be disappointed that they appear not to have taken the interests of their supporters into account.
I fully understand that £70,000 or whatever they get from Sky is probably not an amount we can afford to turn down, but at the same time I can't afford to go around chucking £20 down the drain. Ultimately I just think it's very wrong that a fixture can be moved at such short notice and when the clubs themselves have already started selling tickets. I wouldn't be surprised if at least 300 of the 400 already sold get returned. Don't know why I'm surprised, I've got Arsenal mates who have to put up with this sort of thing all season long - it's a really bad culture that Sky has created though.
Regardless of other considerations, including us the supporter, could Charlton realistically ever say anything apart from "Yes" and bite their hands off?
£70,000 might end up paying someone's wages for a good few months.
I know the feeling of pissing money into the wind for this club but think we were in a difficult situation here.
On the one hand we want to keep our best players and add to our squad. On the other situations like this crop up. Differing views don't sit altogether that comfortably when you look at it like that.
We all accept that Sky is with us and will change match dates, but to do it after tickets have been printed and sold, seems to be very wrong. Why is it so difficult for them to schedule these things?
I think it's disgusting. Disgusting on Sky's part. They can wake up one morning, decide there's a gap in their coverage and dangle a few grand in front of a couple of desperate clubs' noses without a care in the world.
PS the £70K people are talking about for a SkY game is nearer £45k per club.
Ditto!
Seth might suggest someone who's wages it could be going towards!!!!
didn't know you were as old as ketters!
E-mail address for any comments/ complaints you wish to make to the FL. I just feel it's about time that supporters were given a bit of respect.
Was driving so no travel costs lost, but was really looking forward to this one (terracing etc). Gutted!!!
ha well spotted sausage.
How disappointing tho for all the weekend plans. esp ketman.
The fans' forum has just sent an email to that address plus copied to CAFC and BRFC to find out who is responsible and if there is a way to compensate fans that have paid out monies for accomodation/travel added to the recent postponement of games.
if any response is received will forward on. Anyone got an address at Sky?