Friday decision explained

ATHLETIC chairman Simon Corney has been assured that a Friday night kick-off at Liverpool will work in the club’s favour.
Some fans have complained that the FA Cup third-round fixture, which will be played at Anfield on Friday, January 6 (8pm kick-off), will make it difficult for them to attend.

Police would not allow the tie be played on the Saturday, as a result of it being city rivals Everton’s turn to have preference over that date for their home tie with Tamworth.

And in switching to a Friday, it could serve to combat the effect of two live televised games on the Sunday, including the Manchester derby.

Corney has been told the Friday date will bring in at least 5,000 extra fans, meaning a bigger pay-day from the split gate receipts for the npower League One club.

“Liverpool have said they expect upwards of 33,000 fans will be at the game,” said Corney, who accepted a Liverpool request to make the game a Friday-night tie.

“That is, as opposed to 28,000 they would anticipate for a Sunday fixture.

“I understand that a few of our supporters are upset and that some may miss out. I would have preferred a Saturday afternoon kick-off, but it wasn’t possible.

“And I apologise to those that can’t make it — but then, there would be some who wouldn’t have been able to make the Sunday.

“It was a decision which was made in the best interests of the club. There is no hidden agenda and hopefully, our fans will find a way to be there for what will be a great occasion.

“More tickets sold means a better atmosphere. We can only go by what Liverpool say and they have told us that Friday nights at Anfield are both rare and pretty special.”

Corney also said that Athletic manager Paul Dickov’s preference was for the Friday, rather than the Sunday.

That is because it reduces the recovery period following Liverpool’s crucial Barclays Premier League game at Manchester City, which takes place on the evening of Tuesday, January 3, to 72 hours.

Athletic will benefit from a 45-per-cent cut of the gate receipts from the Anfield tie, minus costs.




ATHLETIC have already received applications for the role of chief executive at Boundary Park, vacated by the retiring Alan Hardy yesterday. Corney said that a handful of interviews have been arranged to take place next week. “We will make an appointment soon,” said Athletic's chairman.