SPL Explores Friday Night Plan

Last updated : 21 October 2011 By Team Talk

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

"Fortunately, there are also plenty of views in between for the SPL and the clubs to consider.

"There is no 'silver bullet' single solution to the various issues confronting the game in Scotland. And there is no monopoly on good ideas.

"Some ideas will undoubtedly work better than others. And some ideas may suit some supporters more than others.

"But what's vital is that we remain open-minded, try out different suggestions and give new ideas a chance."

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.

The wider SPL survey can be completed on their website until October 28.

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk