The kick-off times of Newcastle and Manchester United’s away games this season have been great for coach companies, but a nightmare for travelling fans.
Evening kick-offs can be a logistical nightmare for away supporters. Matches often end perilously close to the last train home - if the trains are running at all. Failing that, it’s a long coach or car ride home, getting back in the small hours.
Some fans are more familiar with these problems than others, as some clubs have had eight times as many away evening kick-offs as others. A total of eight of Newcastle and Manchester United ’s away league and FA Cup games have been scheduled to kick-off on or after 7pm so far this season.
That’s the joint highest number of any Premier League club. However, Newcastle’s status as the top flight’s most northerly club means that their fans are particularly affected by late kick-off times.
A fan going to and from Newcastle to each of those eight grounds would travel 2,898 miles as the crow flies. That’s equivalent to the distance from Newcastle city centre to Madinah in central Saudi Arabia, Omsk in Siberia, or Dakar in Senegal. Manchester United fans would travel 1,524 miles for their eight evening matches.
Premier League odds and betting tips
That would get you from Old Trafford to Marrakech in Morocco. By contrast, Liverpool have had just one FA Cup and league game kick off after 7pm this season. That was the two-nil win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Wednesday December 6, a 206-mile round trip from Anfield.
Newcastle fans have the longest away trip for an evening kick-off of any Premier League club so far this season. Their trip to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea is a 522-mile round trip from St James’ Park. The match is scheduled for Monday March 11 at 8pm. The last train home is at 10pm from Kings Cross.
Travel arrangements are a major issue for supportersThat will put it just ahead of the Saturday January 27 game against Fulham which kicked-off at 7pm. Craven Cottage is a 521-mile round trip from St James’ Park as the crow flies. Newcastle’s trip to Arsenal on Saturday February 24 is third in the list, at 517 miles for an 8pm kick-off. The last train home that day is at 9pm.
10 longest journeys for an evening kick off (Premier League clubs)
Home v Away, Day, Time, Distance (miles return journey)
Chelsea v Newcastle United, Mon, 20:00, 522 miles
Fulham v Newcastle United, Sat, 19:00, 521 miles
Arsenal v Newcastle United, Sat, 20:00, 517 miles
Everton v Crystal Palace, Mon, 20:00, 488 miles
Crystal Palace v Everton, Thu, 20:00, 488 miles
Everton v Crystal Palace, Wed, 19:45, 488 miles
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
Newcastle's trip to Chelsea is the longest night away day so far this seasonLiverpool v Chelsea, Wed, 20:15, 468 miles
Fulham v Everton, Tue, 19:45, 467 miles
Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley, Fri, 20:00, 425 miles
Liverpool v Luton Town, Wed, 19:30, 410 miles
Club: Away games after 7pm (miles round trip)
Newcastle United: 8 (2,898 miles)
Manchester United: 8 (1,524 miles)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 6 (1,554 miles)
Manchester City : 6 (1,394 miles)
Tottenham Hotspur: 5 (403 miles)
Luton Town: 5 (1,152 miles)
Chelsea: 5 (913 miles)
Burnley: 5 (1,187 miles)
Brighton & Hove Albion: 5 (779 miles)
Sheffield United: 4 (747 miles)
Brentford: 4 (549 miles)
Arsenal: 4 (637 miles)
West Ham United: 3 (99 miles)
Everton: 3 (1,237 miles)
Crystal Palace: 3 (765 miles)
Aston Villa: 3 (559 miles)
Nottingham Forest : 2 (530 miles)
Fulham: 2 (266 miles)
Bournemouth : 2 (534 miles)
Liverpool: 1 (206 miles)
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
