Manchester City fan groups are keeping up the pressure on the FA and broadcasters by arranging a screening of the Community Shield at an iconic city centre venue.
The 1894 fan group have encouraged supporters to consider boycotting the Community Shield clash with Arsenal on Sunday August 6 after growing increasingly frustrated at key games being scheduled at inconvenient times - particularly for showpiece fixtures at Wembley.
The Community Shield was originally scheduled for 5.30pm on the Sunday, but a backlash from City fans over understandable travel concerns - there would be a considerable lack of public transport options to return on the day - saw the FA backtrack and change the kick-off time to 4pm.
However, that still isn't pleasing the 1894 group, who say the game should kick off at 3pm, or ideally be switched to the Saturday. They have encouraged fans to boycott the fixture to make a point, and consider donating the cost of their match ticket to the MCFC Fans Foodbank Support group.
So far, £6,000 has been raised for the appeal, which will cover the costs of the Manchester Central Foodbank for a month. Now, both groups have organised a screening for fans to watch the Community Shield at iconic Manchester venue Band on the Wall.
In a statement, 1894 said: "With the kick-off time still scheduled for Sunday 4pm despite our public and private pleas to the FA, we have decided to press ahead and offer a venue where fans who feel strong-minded enough to withhold their money from the FA can also support the MCFC Foodbanks, who are run by inspirational volunteers and need our support continually. Come along and join hundreds of Blues at this big screening event on Sunday 6th August."
Tickets cost £5 with all profits donated to the MCFC Fans Foodbank Support, and the groups hope for a boost in donations when tickets for the Community Shield are released this week. It's hoped that around 750 fans can attend to raise money and show the value of fan power - for a cause supported across fanbases in the country.
Suzy Keen of the Manchester Central Foodbank told MEN Sport this week that the total raised so far totals £6,500 including Gift Aid donations, adding: "That could fund 552 single-person parcels - so about three months of one-person parcels, or as another example it could fund about eight-and-a-half months of our tuna purchase for the year.
"The gesture from the Community Shield boycott is amazing because it's good for us to have a bit of a surprise windfall that we weren't expecting so that's great for us financially but it means more just that we've got the support of people in Manchester that are supporting other people in Manchester. If you are able to give a tenner, it makes a big difference to somebody who has no money at all and is coming to a foodbank.
"Whether it is a one-off or a more regular basis, it's great to see Mancunians supporting Mancunians."
