'It could be you' has been the take-home message behind Manchester City's recent fan-led recent protests, with the 1894 supporters' group calling for a boycott of next month's Community Shield.
City will start the traditional curtain raiser against Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday, August 6, but the Football Association's decision to pencil in a 5.30pm kick-off caused outrage among those planning to head south amid travel concerns at a late finish. Kick-off has been moved to 4pm, but fans remain unhappy at what seems to be an attitude of prioritising a television audience over the match-going fan. It's a trend that has been steadily increasing but recent years have seen it rocket with broadcast revenues following suit.
"Next year this could be two other Northern teams and a 5.30pm kick-off or later still may be suggested again," a statement from the 1894 group read last week on the Community Shield. "We also face 7pm kick-off times on a Sunday in the Premier League from 2024-25. So it is important we try and push back on broadcasters and hopefully fans of other clubs will see this potentially affects us all."
