Manchester City supporter groups want further changes to the Community Shield time after the FA brought the match forward by 90 minutes.
The 1894 supporters' group had urged fans to boycott the game with Arsenal after a 5.30pm kick-off on Sunday August 6 was announced, limiting trains back after the game and ensuring that anyone travelling down either had to take a day off to stay down on Monday or faced a late arrival back in Manchester for work the following day. They encouraged City fans to make a stand at the lack of consideration shown to them by instead donating to local foodbanks, and a fundraising page has ticked over £5,000 in just four days.
City asked the FA if anything could be done, and it was agreed after discussions with broadcasters to play the match at 4pm on the Sunday instead. However, that has not been enough to satisfy the fan groups.
"We would like to see the kick off time for the Community Shield brought forward to 3pm if it has to be on the Sunday," said the 1894 Group. "4pm will still mean significant travel challenges for supporters.
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"Whilst some fans will now feel they can attend the game the best way to ensure an excellent turnout would be to move the game to 3pm and there is no reason why ITV with its’ numerous free-to-air channels cannot make this happen. This is not just a Manchester City issue.
"Next year this could be two other northern clubs being asked to kick off at 5.30pm - or later still. Fans of many other clubs can see this could apply to them in the future and we thank them for their support.
"Finally, thousands of pounds has been raised for MCFC Foodbank in three days so thanks to all City fans for their generosity."
MCFC Foodbank Fan Support took issue with the FA announcing that they had moved the game after taking travel options for fans into 'full consideration', saying: "We welcome the FA’s move to change the kick off time of the Community Shield to 4pm from the previously stated kick off time of 5.30pm.
"However, this is only a good first step and we do not believe that it is acceptable. Bringing it forward to 4pm does not meet the concerns of thousands of City fans who will still only get home extremely late on a Sunday night and still face many unnecessary travel challenges along the way.
"Indeed, the FA’s own statement confirms that they did not previously consider the needs of fans at all. It is clear that the FA only changed this due to the negative press rather than because the needs of fans were important to the organisation.
"We are prepared to make a stand until the game is moved further to a time that demonstrates the FA truly has considered the needs of fans rather than treating match-going supporters as an afterthought, then working out the bare minimum as an attempt to fob us off.
"We would also note a wider point at this stage which we feel is important, not just for Blues but for fans of all clubs. This boycott has proven that:
1. The FA does not consider the needs of fans to be a priority
2. If fans work together and fight back, we can force governing bodies and others in positions of power to back down
"This will not be the last time that the football authorities try to impose terrible decisions on fans in the expectation that we will not organise, not collaborate and not fight back. This boycott has drawn support from fans of all clubs and shown that this is not the case. If we work together across club lines, we can win together for the benefit of all.
"We hope the FA consider this statement and take further action. Thanks to all the Blues and other fans who have donated so far. The link for donations is here."
