Being one of just under three thousand who attended last night and braved freezing conditions at the Vic, for those who weren't there it was absolutely arctic, I can't help but wonder at the ,no doubt well paid, idiots at the League who programme the fixture computer. Why are we scheduled to play our nearest rivals away on December 6th and at home last night. These are two genuine opportunities for bumper gates. If the games were played on autumn or spring saturdays Carlisle would fill the away end and we would take 1500 to Brunton Park.
This is about the third season in a row this has happened with Carlisle, Last night would have been a good night to be playing Exeter at the Vic, when we do play them on 1st May they will bring around 100 with them. Having said all of that it was a marvellous display, although I was sad to see 349 Scotsmen stunned into total silence!!!

The Football League should introduce a mid winter break.

Trouble is up here it would have to last from September till April.

The mid winter break idea is one of the silliest ideas mooted about football.

The weather in this country is so unpredictable that you couldn't be sure that you wouldn't have decent weather during the break and crap weather before or after it.

Darlo have had one.

Last night's fixtures were a reverse of the fixtures played on December 1st. So if we had played Exeter last night, we would have played them away on December 1st.

I would rather travel to Carlisle on a Tuesday night than Exeter, and I'm sure the player's would as well.

There's more to planning a fixture list than simply saying Pools play Carlisle, fixtures are always reversed on the same date, so if Pools play Exeter , Carlisle play Leeds, Oldham play Charlton etc on say Saturday 15th August, the reverse fixtures are then played on the same day later in the season.For example Saturday 1st May. (Dates are randomly picked before someone says they not a Saturday or we don't play them then)

Other teams games are also taken in consideration, including teams who you wouldn't think would affect when Pools play.

Disagree Bob.

I'd be much more likely to go to Carlisle on a Saturday than on a Tuesday night, whereas I've only been to Exeter once when it was the last game of the season and it'd have to be a similar scenario for me to go again.

The Carlisle fixtures are midweek games at the request of the Police because of trouble at previous fixtures on Saturdays.

correct

Interesting point but pros and cons again I reckon.

People go away on holiday in the summer. They take the family out for the day on a weekend in the sunshine. Cricket is on in the summer and summer is golf weather. All of these could impact attendances too.



Awaits replies stating that Pools are more important than all of the above and that cricket and golf are for puffs

Saturdays in the late spring/summer are for BBqs and strolling over moorland, days out with the family and holidays or weekends doing nowt. Watching the wife mow the lawn whilst sipping on a cold beer and scouring the racing post.
Cold weekends in Autumn/ winter are for having a few beers standing/ sitting watching footy with your mates scoffing a hot pie(s)

Summer footy? you'll be calling it football next

At least the filters on here wont let me say s o c c e r

Puddle jumper

They'd be the "pros" that I alluded to then.

Are you soft or what Football is a winter sport and always will be.

Just wear 3 pair of trousers instead of 2, next time.



And why would more kids attend games during the 6 weeks holiday?? It's still at the same time of the year. Approx last week in July through to 1st week in September, so if they not attending now why will they if football simply moves to summer, your still playing whether in summer or winter at the time of the holidays.

Can just imagine conversation between mother and father,

Mother "so were we taking the kids for fortnight this year"

Father " thought we wouldn't bother and I take them to watch Pools home and away"

Mother "are you F****** serious, if you think I staying in Hartlepool for a fortnight during holidays.

Chip you normally talk sence but your pissing in the wind with that Idea, also when are we ment to have the world cup at Christmas

Mr Bob in missing the point shocker.

I think that Mr Fireball was saying that night games during the school holidays and when it isn't freezing cold and they don't have to be up for school the next day will see more parents take their kids to the match.

My mates who take their kids now only take them, in general, to Saturday games cos the nightmatches finish too late on a school night.

August 25th School holiday time Pools home to Burnley (Premiership team) attendance 3501.

Kids off, not freezing cold, don't have to be up for school next day, we're also playing a Premiership team.

Tuesday 18th August Home to Bristol Rovers (2nd home game of season) attendance 3,137.

Kids off not freezing cold, don't have to be up for school next day.

I don't think Mr Bob is missing the point at all, I just don't think the argument stands up, as those two fixtures(our only 2 midweek games during the school holidays this season) prove.

Now if the club had introduce the cheap tickets for kids then those attendances may have been far higher, we'll never know.

Could our attendances in May have something to do with we probably only play one home game in that month and a lot of fans go for the last home game of the season.

You can't use May based simply on the reason I point out.

well why not have a break in the season for 4 weeks. Start the season in July and have a month off in January. Finish in May as usual

How depressing would the winter months be without football?

Jesus!!

In the winter gadgies go to the match, it's what happens. What next Strawberry's and Pimms at half time?? I want a disgusting pie and a pint of lager, and I want it to be freezing whilst I consume them

well then its tough shite innit

I wrap up really well when i'm cold, so it doesn't bother me...

I also spent quite a few year watching my brother play for School of Excellence through all weathers, so i'm used to it.

I have always said that the lower leagues should play during the spring and summer months but never on an open forum like this incase you all thought I was a poof . As you have already said, rubgy league was dying before they made the radical decision to switch and it's been a huge success. I think it should at least be tried out. Watching footy in a t-shirt