Save clubs and protect 3pm ko’s

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BLACKOUT DEBATE

■ WHY do we need football on TV at 3pm on a Saturday? You can watch it virtually every other day. We must protect the 3pm on Saturdays for Non-League and lower division clubs. Let’s face it, Sky have shown through the pandemic they would put every Premier League game on staggered through the week if they could. They are not interested in supporters who go to games or the Non-League.

MARTIN COOK

■ PERSONALLY, I think it should be protected. There’s enough fanboys of Premier League clubs as it is, if they could watch every match of whichever team they’ve “chosen” to support, local teams would inevitably suffer.

STUART SMITH

■ BBC or ITV should show one live Non-League game a week, picked at random. Help promote grassroots football.

DAN PALMER

■ KEEP it as it is now. The bulk of games at 3pm with Sky picking their games for dinner, evening and Sundays. But allow from League One down – to whoever wants to stream their games – for a fee. Non-League has had a resurgence, hopefully that will enable more cash to filter through directly to the clubs. Premier clubs already have Sky money, surely that’s enough?

ANDREW INGS

ON CAMERA: Could TV rights benefit clubs of all levels?

ADD TO THE POT…

BLACKOUT DEBATE

I BELIEVE you can make both camps happy. You could completely scrap the 3pm blackout and let those that want to watch the Premier League, Championship etc carry on.

They would have to contribute a percentage of profits from that TV right to a fund for the those clubs lower in the pyramid.

The rights of Non-League games could be sold also for a subscription service which would open up away games to fans that can’t travel.

These rights can be also given for free to air/stream to BBC ITV etc so to advertise Non-League.

JAMES BIRDSEYE

Blackout makes fans watch local football

BLACKOUT DEBATE

THERE is a lot of football on TV these days so there is no need to add a 3pm Saturday game to the schedule.

I think it is vital for lower league clubs from- League One downwards.

There are a lot of fans who will pay £20 to attend a League game at 3pm on a Saturday and have a few drinks.

However, if a Premier League fixture is being broadcast at 3pm, a large percentage of these fans would choose to watch that game in the pub and save £20.

The same goes for fans of League One or Two clubs, many of whom also support a Premier League club.

I support the 3pm blackout. It might encourage armchair fans to go and watch their local team.

JOE REID

Bringing in a new audience

BLACKOUT DEBATE

I THINK the streaming service last season was something that should have been introduced years ago. It opens up to a whole different audience.

For example, there were people watching my Non- League club Spennymoor Town from as far as Canada and Australia. There’s expats, who would maybe only ever see a game via the highlights package, because of streaming, were able to see a game live.

There’s also an ongoing health issue of people who still don’t have the confidence to attend games and in an ever-changing world, for me, the streaming service was a huge success.

There’s so many people who can’t attend Saturday or midweek games due to work/family reasons etc, and this would open up another revenue opportunity for clubs who could provide this service.

STEVIE GUY

■ IN the old days I went to Aston Villa 3pm Saturday afternoon. Then, it started with the odd Sunday match which was fine. But then Sky ruined it and priced me out of the game. Don’t mention the faff of getting tickets!

I’ve since moved away from Birmingham and Villa will always be my team, but I’ve since started watching Chorley. Non-League football is brilliant value. Pay at the gate and my lad goes free, great friendly atmosphere (mostly) and Saturday afternoon kick-off. It needs all the support it can get.

IAN NEWTON