"The Motherwell Supporters' Trust has written to the SPL to complain about this season's New Year's day fixture list and to suggest improvements for the future. We have the support of fellow trusts at Kilmarnock and Aberdeen and of the Supporters' Association at Inverness.
Motherwell are due to play Aberdeen on New Years Day at Fir Park, whilst Kilmarnock are due to play Inverness at Aberdeen on 2 January. Both of games involve the longest journeys in the SPL. Our complaint centres on the fact that they are both scheduled for public holidays during the festive period, when public transport will be almost non-existent.
We believe that this scheduling will prevent many fans from attending the games and question how many Aberdeen and Kilmarnock fans will be able to make these journeys, which will involve many hours travelling on a public holiday when they may wish to spend time with their family or friends.
We believe that this scheduling will prevent many fans from attending the games and question how many Aberdeen and Kilmarnock fans will be able to make these journeys, which will involve many hours travelling on a public holiday when they may wish to spend time with their family or friends.
Traditionally the Ne'er Day fixture can attract fans in numbers but it has to involve derbies or at least minimal travelling. Many fans who would otherwise go to these games will simply not go. In effect they are being denied the opportunity to watch their team.
Furthermore, the gates at Aberdeen and Motherwell will suffer significantly, at a time when all SPL clubs are desperate to increase their turnover.
Would it not have been better to schedule Kilmarnock and Motherwell to play each other and Aberdeen and Inverness to play each other? Of course, travelling from Inverness to Aberdeen will not be easy journey in any event but that is another issue. The Welltrust urges the SPL to look again at this unsatisfactory programme, and at the very least ensure that it never happens again.
Surely, at a time when attendances are dropping, the SPL should aim to make things as easy and attractive as possible for supporters to attend games. "
Furthermore, the gates at Aberdeen and Motherwell will suffer significantly, at a time when all SPL clubs are desperate to increase their turnover.
Would it not have been better to schedule Kilmarnock and Motherwell to play each other and Aberdeen and Inverness to play each other? Of course, travelling from Inverness to Aberdeen will not be easy journey in any event but that is another issue. The Welltrust urges the SPL to look again at this unsatisfactory programme, and at the very least ensure that it never happens again.
Surely, at a time when attendances are dropping, the SPL should aim to make things as easy and attractive as possible for supporters to attend games. "