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Non league clubs consider kicking off games earlier in bid to stave off huge energy bills

Non league clubs are to consider kicking off their games earlier than usual in a bid to stave off huge energy bills this autumn/winter.

Energy regulator Ofcom announced earlier this week that its price cap will go up to £3,549 a year for a typical household from the 1st of October and organisations such as sports clubs are also facing huge surges in the cost of their bills.

According to the Evening Standard, clubs playing in the Isthmian Football League, in the seventh and eighth tiers of the English football pyramid, have been given permission to move from the traditional Saturday 3pm kick-off this season, so long as both teams agree to the move.

Wednesday Night Football - The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Kicking off at 12:30pm would allow clubs to play matches within winter daylight hours, while even moving fixtures forward an hour to 2pm would significantly reduce clubs’ dependence on floodlights during the darker months.

In the UK, the clock always change on the last Sunday in October, which this year falls on the 30th of October. The clocks will go back by one hour at 2am on this date – meaning an extra hour in bed!

The reason the clocks go back is to make better use of the daylight (hence why it is also referred to as Daylight Saving Time), and is used by most countries in Europe.

The clocks always go forward by 1 hour at 1am on the last Sunday in March – which will be the 26th of the month in 2023 – to mark British summer time.

Clubs currently have a floodlight allowance of £75, which is an expense on the gate, similar to officials and stewards.

Isthmian League chairman Nick Robinson said the league did not see the change in kick-off times as a negative.

“We will support it,” he said. “The league does allow it, but it has not always exactly encouraged it.

“But now we are saying do what you can and the league will assist you.”

One club in favour of the proposals is Cray Valley PM, which plays its home matches in Bromley, south-east London.

“It is an uncertain time,” said club CEO Sam Wright. “I think it is an innovative move to consider it.”

But some are concerned moving kick-off times will be a break from tradition and are not sure the changes will make much difference with Aron Sharpe, chairman of north-London club Wingate and Finchley, saying the club did not want to stage their fixtures at earlier times on a Saturday.

“It is a great idea of the league to help clubs,” he said. “But we do not want to take away from 15:00 kick-offs.

“It takes away from the heritage.”

Wingate and Finchley is situated near to Premier League clubs Arsenal and Tottenham.

Mr Sharpe reckons “the only way it may help” is that earlier kick-offs could boost attendances because games would not clash with the Premier League sides.

He said it might help “if people come to our games, then go to a professional game”.

Currently, games are also prohibited from being broadcast between 14:45 and 17:15 to protect attendances in lower divisions, so moving games earlier could allow clubs to stream their fixtures.

However, there are fears that streaming fixtures could see lower attendances, and a subsequent reduced secondary expenditure, but Mr Robinson does not think streams would impact numbers.

“I believe Isthmian club supporters will go to matches,” he said. “There is nothing like going to a match and watching it live.

“Streaming allows other supporters to watch, such as those from overseas.

“We do not see it as a negative.”

There is plenty of reaction as non league clubs consider kicking off games earlier in a bid to stave off huge energy bills…

@TaM_BaW: Makes sense, although I hope clubs will be required to roll back on this if and when energy prices settle back down. Altered ko times have impacts on the structure of peoples’ weekends – both home and away supporters.

@ProfessorJamesA: Can see the pros and cons from both sides here. Problem will be the fans that go down to watch the early Prem game on TV, spend a few quid behind the bar and then go and watch their local team.

@xecinternet: Exactly this. Saving £100 on floodlights might be a false economy if you lose 20 or 30 from the crowd and a few hundred in bar takings.

@NeilSullivan7; Also what will happen if it’s belting with Rain ? Will a team refuse to turn the floodlights on because they want to save energy?

@Garymillar19: Let’s hope other leagues have common sense and follow

@thebuildingwork: @utdcos not interested in helping it’s members

@Chris_Horner1: This is a welcome move to help non league clubs get games on without spending money they just don’t have to pay for electric bills.

@BLPhotos2020: What an excellent idea and should be rolled out to all Non Leagues!

@JohnL_chat: Feels a bit tokenistic given it’s an hour’s power once every two weeks. Lots of supporters work Saturday mornings and could struggle with earlier kick offs particularly for away games.

@Kizzyetrance: Hopefully earlier kick offs than 2 or 2:30 to allow doubles #groundhopping

@smilerhopper: U hoping for 7, 9 ,11, 1, 3 and 5 o’clock kick off kiz might be a bit of #matchhopping for many.

@MichaelMelbour3: Interesting I wondered if this may happen the way things are with the enormous hike in prices and further hikes very likely. Good Luck to everyone trying to keep their club going.

@CentreCirclePub: I’ve often felt that 3pm KOs were increasingly anachronistic for the majority of non-League fixtures in any case, an unnecessary expense for clubs to incur.

@ColinSeal5: Any idea if other leagues will follow suit, @ComCoFL can you help clubs cut costs?

@james_clouting: @SouthernLeague1 can you confirm if this is being considered?

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