Manchester City supporter group WeAre1894 have called on City fans to boycott the Community Shield match against Arsenal on August 6th over scheduling. The have instead asked fans to donate to the MCFC Fans Foodbank other local causes.

Now firstly get the banter out of your system.

“Oh, they never feel their end anyway”
“Did they boycott the FA Cup final as well?”
And other snide comments….

All of the issues highlighted by WeAre1894 affect every match going fan, and as a result anyone that travels up and down the conutry should be commending, not mocking, their stance.

I have lost count how often throughout the season games as scheduled without taking into account match going fans.

Games as scheduled at times when there is no return travel, leaving fans with either having to drive or having to pay for hefty hotel bills.

We live in a world where “sustainability” is at the forefront of almost every companies Enviromental policy. And I include Sky and BT in that.

Yet they make a mockery of their “Sky Ocean” and other environmental awareness initiatives when they pick a game for a late evening on a Sunday with no trains home, forcing fans to drive.

Trains are the most sustainable method of long-term travel. If Sky et al really wanted to promote themselves as caring for the environment, they would factor in train travel to their decision making on when games are scheduled.

Likewise, asking fans of Newcastle to travel to Brighton on a Monday night, or Bournemouth fans to travel to Liverpool for a 4pm Sunday kick off. It is just wrong.

These decisions show that Sky (or BT) do not care for match going fans. That all the fuss they made about the European Super League was only because they were not invited to the table. Gary Neville and others attempted to make themselves the voice of the match going fans. But actions speak louder than words.

And then we have last minute changes, where fans may have already paid for trains, planes and hotels. Sky, the Premier League and other stakeholders do not consider the fans when changing the timing of a game a week before it is supposed to take place.

So mock Manchester City fans for all you want, but what they say is correct,.

It’s time match-going fans were treated as a priority rather than an afterthought.

Football is not a TV show. And I imagine most of those fans mocking City do not go hiome and away.

The same sort of fans that criticise City for having empty seats, whilst watching a game on an illegal stream. The same sort of fans who then show themselves up ashypocritical by posting “where we were you when you were shit” when City do sell out.

City sold out a near 35,000 seater stadium whilst in the 3rd tier of English football. They have a great core fan base. One which has been through a lot prior to winning the Arab lottery.

This is not about the global fanbase. Those that treat football like a TV show. This is about a local fanbase, the match goiong fans, looking at match times and transport.

If you mock City for their boycott, do not complaing when Arsenal games are moved.

There have a lot of things that we can criticise City for – the 115 financial charges the main one. But like with away ticket prices, sometimes we need to put club rivalry and banter aside and stand together as one.

The stand being taken by WeAre1894 and other Manchester City groups and fans is commendable.

Keenos

From an Arsenal fan ahead of Father’s Day! Someone’s old man is going to be very happy!

This print is part of our #Arsenal Anfield 89 collection…https://t.co/90tkB9JKAj pic.twitter.com/QL9ohmqC92

— Kick Off Merchants (@KOMerchants) June 15, 2023