As AFC Bournemouth prepare to travel up to Tyneside this evening to face a flying Newcastle side, some fans are less than impressed with the Premier League’s scheduling of the game.
Kicking off at 12:30PM tomorrow, Cherries fans will have to take the seven hour trip in the late hours of this evening to make the opening whistle.
“It’s a joke.
“It’s standard Premier League – they don’t care about [travelling] fans because they can just stick it on TV.”
Bournemouth fan Dylan Milner is travelling to the game in a mini-van with six others, beginning his journey at 11PM tonight.
The club have provided multiple coaches that will depart across Dorset, stretching as far as Weymouth.
The club have put coach ride tickets up for sale on their website, costing fans £58 on top of a £30 match ticket.
Milner – who runs a fan page called ‘2 Fatties 1 Pitch’ – insisted that these coach journey’s should be free.
“I think those who are taking the coaches should travel for free, just to give something back to the fans.”
Reportedly over 1700 away tickets for the trip to St James’ Park have been sold.
Milner added: ““I always hope to go to every game I can.
“I’ve only missed one game this season, it’s like an addiction – I always have that ‘I have to go’ feeling.”
We’ve contacted the Premier League for a comment on the scheduling, but are yet to reply.
Improving this vital part of the match-day experience…
Secretary of the Cherries Trust Gayle Hope believes that TV companies should pay towards coach fees of re-arranged games.
“They [the coach rides] should at least be heavily subsidised.”
Hope raised these concerns to the local MP for Bournemouth East Tom Hayes so they can be debated in Parliament.
The Cherries Trust wants real consideration for fans in relation to TV schedules.
The document sent to Hayes details: “If TV companies are allowed to continue with this unacceptable lack of consideration for match-going fans, then it should be a legal requirement for them to put on a free train service for those with match tickets.
“There is no atmosphere without fans and games with atmospheres make for better viewing.”
On behalf of the Trust and AFC Bournemouth fans in general, Hope says this – as well as other considerations – should be included in the much-debated Football Governance Bill.
Looking ahead to kick-off…
Talking in a press conference this morning, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola praised his side for continuing to fight despite injury woes.
The Spaniard said: “They have all the excuses available, but they are deciding not to take them.
“They keep fighting, in whatever position we need them, and I admire it.”
The Cherries are unbeaten in their last ten games in all competitions, with the Magpies also on fantastic form; going unbeaten in nine.
