SPL explore Friday night plan

20 October 2011 19:17
The Scottish Premier League have vowed to explore further the idea of Friday night football as some fans "absolutely loved the experience".[LNB] The SPL moved Aberdeen's home game against Dunfermline to a Friday night last month as a pilot exercise and were encouraged by the results, although Pars fans were not as impressed as their rivals.[LNB]After 1,200 Aberdeen and Dunfermline fans responded to a survery, SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster has now asked supporters of all clubs to have their say.[LNB]Writing in his blog on the SPL website, Doncaster said: "In the end, 8,333 fans attended the game - 661 more than had turned up to Aberdeen's previous Saturday 3pm home game, against Kilmarnock.[LNB]"Coming as it did on the back of Aberdeen's defeat to East Fife in the Scottish Communities League Cup, that attendance figure was an extremely encouraging start to the pilot."[LNB]Commenting on the fans' responses, Doncaster said: "Some absolutely loved the experience and want to play on Friday every week. Others never want to see Football Friday again.[LNB]"Fortunately, there are also plenty of views in between for the SPL and the clubs to consider.[LNB]"There is no 'silver bullet' single solution to the various issues confronting the game in Scotland. And there is no monopoly on good ideas.[LNB]"Some ideas will undoubtedly work better than others. And some ideas may suit some supporters more than others.[LNB]"But what's vital is that we remain open-minded, try out different suggestions and give new ideas a chance."[LNB]The survey showed that 88% of Aberdeen fans felt the atmosphere was better than a Saturday or Sunday game and only 20% said the kick-off time was less convenient, with four-fifths keen for another Friday game. But 86% of Dunfermline fans said the scheduling was inconvenient.[LNB]The wider SPL survey can be completed on their website until October 28.

Source: Team_Talk