Saturday football – another lost tradition

Many of us grew up in the days when Saturday was the day of days – it was football day – 3pm kick off, home, showered and changed, out to a club or rock n roll gigt!

By and large you turned up at the Boleyn, bought your ticket and that was that – but no longer or for a long time since!

Earlier today I wrote a piece which asked how long it would be before we were watching all games on the box and whether football could ever be the same again.

Well it’s not is it? I’ve just checked and apart from the FA Cup game against Doncaster we have had just two traditional Saturday afternoon kick offs this season season.

Ok I understand it might have been different without lockdown and the decision to show all games on the box, but in an average season I think we can expect about eight Saturday afternoon kick offs.

Given the odd times of games – on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays it’s often tricky getting home  given the early departure of some last trains home.

So it sometomes involves the expense of a hotel although it’s different for those local to the stadium of course

Apart from Doncaster we have had Newcastle and Burnley given the traditional 3pm slot on Saturdays and until the fixtures are changed for TV six more are on the way.

The traditionalists among us certainly have reasons to moan that TV has already taken over the game.

Another sadly lost tradition!