Fury over football fixture switch as Ross County fans slam 'madness' of TV move
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A TV-driven fixture change that will see a significant number of Ross County fans miss the last home game of the season has sparked outrage amongst supporters.
The league leaders, pushing for a return to the top tier, were due to play Queen of the South on Saturday, April 27 at 3pm – a fixture at which the league title could potentially be handed over.
A switch to Friday, April 26 at 7.05pm to allow the game to be screened live on BBC Scotland sparked a furious response from fans who have already made travel arrangements and are now likely to miss out on what could be the biggest day of the season.
Willie Laidlaw summed up the feelings of many on the club's Facebook page: "Well that’s scuppered all the plans for people travelling great distances to meet up on the Saturday and take in a championship celebration. Well done RCFC."
Michael Mackenzie stated: "This is getting farcical. I know it's good to get TV money and exposure, but the regular fans are once again ignored. I put the fixtures in my diary as soon as they come out every June, and then plan social occasions, holidays and weekends away etc around them, but I'm starting to wonder what the point of doing this is – and what the point of having a season ticket is."
Scores of fans commented in similar terms on the club's Facebook page.
Ross County Supporter Liaison officer Kenny MacLennan said: "In my opinion as supporter liaison officer it's madness to switch this game to a Friday night.
The likelihood is that lots of supporters and walk-ups would have attended on the Saturday to hopefully see the Staggies being crowned league champions.
"I can't see that the financial benefit would be any more than sold out hospitality and a packed stadium. For me the supporters have been a second thought here, if that. To expect Queen of the South supporters to be able to travel up to Dingwall for a 7:05pm kick-off on a Friday is ridiculous and any supporters looking to travel would probably already have made their travel plans. It's not fair on the paying supporter, the games are expensive enough without having travel arrangements disrupted.
"But the main annoyance for me is the fact it could potentially spoil end of season celebrations for lots of supporters who paid out for a season ticket. This has been an incredible season, and this decision has clearly angered the supporters."
Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor said: "As fans ourselves we had a very strong preference for having our last home game of the season in the traditional Saturday at 3pm slot. I think that feeling is shared by supporters and was only strengthened by the number of midweek games we have had to play in recent weeks.
"But we are also fully aware that, as a SPFL Championship side, BBC Scotland is entitled to broadcast two home Friday night games per club as part of their broadcast deal, with our recent game with Dundee United being the first of those.
"We even proposed a later kick off on the Saturday as a compromise, but that unfortunately would not fit into the broadcast schedule. With the fixture now changed to the Friday night at 7.05pm slot, even though we have already spoken to a number of fans who will now not be able to attend or had already made travel plans, we hope as many fans as possible will still be able to attend on the night despite the late change of fixture."
The Scottish Professional Football League was approached for comment but did not wish to make a statement.
