Delaying a kick off

Potter · by **Potter** » 24 Aug 2006 10:09

STAR,

Just interested on the official policy on getting a kick off put back, a lot more people would have been there last night at 8.

In the past many games are put back, was wondering what the official word on this is, who's decision is it? and at what point is it ok to put it back.....e.g does the ground have to be half empty?!

Varsity · by **Varsity** » 24 Aug 2006 12:49

Dont expect help from Stupid Tossers At Reading.

Slinky · by **Slinky** » 24 Aug 2006 12:50

Varsity wrote:Dont expect help from Stupid Tossers At Reading.

Forbury Lion · by **Forbury Lion** » 24 Aug 2006 12:52

Varsity wrote:Dont expect a constructive post from me.

Stranded · by **Stranded** » 24 Aug 2006 13:18

Varsity wrote:Dont expect help from Stupid Tossers At Reading.

Don't think the question was directed at you to be honest.

southbank1871 · by **southbank1871** » 24 Aug 2006 13:20

Stranded wrote:
Varsity wrote:Dont expect help from Stupid Tossers At Reading.
Don't think the question was directed at you to be honest.

LOL!

STAR Liaison · by **STAR Liaison** » 24 Aug 2006 16:44

Potter wrote:STAR,

Just interested on the official policy on getting a kick off put back, a lot more people would have been there last night at 8.

In the past many games are put back, was wondering what the official word on this is, who's decision is it? and at what point is it ok to put it back.....e.g does the ground have to be half empty?!

I think it is the decision of the safety officer and the police. I understand that there were attempts last night to delay kick-off but presumably it was not considered to be a sufficient safety problem.

handbags_harris · by **handbags_harris** » 24 Aug 2006 17:07

I thought it had to be decided between the referee, safety officer and police? I was under the impression the reason kickoff's are not put back often because of a lack of a crowd is for player safety...they've warmed up for a specific kickoff time, so to put the match back would hinder them. Not my own opinion, just something I remember from an official source...it may even have been a referee himself.

If there was a specific crowd safety issue then the safety officer would make the call.

Jerry St Clair · by **Jerry St Clair** » 24 Aug 2006 19:20

Yes, kick-offs are only delayed if there are crowd/player safety concerns.

They are not delayed just because some fans may miss the start.

Royal Monk · by **Royal Monk** » 24 Aug 2006 23:03

I'm sure i've heard on the radio before of games being allowed to ko 15 mins late because of accidents on motorways causing away fans to be late

The 17 Bus · by **The 17 Bus** » 25 Aug 2006 08:06

Kick off can now not be delayed beacause of late fans, that would screw up the television people too much.

Stranded · by **Stranded** » 27 Aug 2006 10:37

The 17 Bus wrote:Kick off can now not be delayed beacause of late fans, that would screw up the television people too much.

Why should a game kick off late for late fans? You wouldn't expect a play or gig to start late because some people were late and a football match is no exception. Games are put back when there is exceptional circumstances.

Remember the Villa-Liverpool cup game that ended up kicking off at 9.15ish due to ticketing problems. Game was also live on television.

susieroyal · by **susieroyal** » 27 Aug 2006 11:00

Didnt Sheff Utd v Liverpool get put back by 5 minutes? Perhaps if lots of fans are only a little bit late they can delay kick off by a short time to avoid people rushing around outside the ground and thus it is a safety issue.

The 17 Bus · by **The 17 Bus** » 27 Aug 2006 11:10

It would need to be a lot of ppl late arriving, not the odd few.

I can recall at EP games being delayed by 15 mins as there were massive queues outside.

Stranded · by **Stranded** » 27 Aug 2006 11:12

The 17 Bus wrote:It would need to be a lot of ppl late arriving, not the odd few.

I can recall at EP games being delayed by 15 mins as there were massive queues outside.

That would probably fall under safety issues. If the game kicked off with many still queuing a crush could form as people try to get in quicker.

The 17 Bus · by **The 17 Bus** » 27 Aug 2006 11:13

I have no idea how many were late in on Wednesday, does not sound like it was that many, anyone got a rough idea?

susieroyal · by **susieroyal** » 27 Aug 2006 11:24

From where I was sat the Reading end looked about two thirds full at kick off.

readingfc_4_life_and_beyo · by **readingfc_4_life_and_beyo** » 27 Aug 2006 12:49

The 17 Bus wrote:I have no idea how many were late in on Wednesday, does not sound like it was that many, anyone got a rough idea?

A hell of a lot of people were outside. Also, the car park actually filled up AFTER kick off. (it was 3/4 full just before kick off)

URZ_forever · by **URZ_forever** » 27 Aug 2006 15:56

The 17 Bus wrote:I have no idea how many were late in on Wednesday, does not sound like it was that many, anyone got a rough idea?

When i watched on MOTD it looked as if there were hardly any Reading fans there, as there were empty seats scattered about, where i was sitting there was loads of empty seats until about 15/20 minutes in.

The 17 Bus · by **The 17 Bus** » 27 Aug 2006 17:46

so in all reality a 15 minute delay would have been rather useful, IMHO