People; Oh great, I’ll watch the football like normal then...
Other People; Can’t, sorry...
People; Why?
Other People: Cos the funeral is on.
People: Wait, what’s that got to do with the football?
Other People; Nothing, just can’t, sorry...
👍🏻
Spot on. Nicholas Witchell the other day stated "the amount of programing on the Duke shows how much he was loved by this country", no it wasn't any of our choice it was forced on us. It will be the same with the funeral, millions of football fans won't be able to watch football I imagine a large portion who are not fussed either way about the royals will put it on then we'll have people pointing to the viewing figures as proof the royals are loved.
People; Oh great, I’ll watch the football like normal then...
Other People; Can’t, sorry...
People; Why?
Other People: Cos the funeral is on.
People: Wait, what’s that got to do with the football?
Other People; Nothing, just can’t, sorry...
👍🏻
Spot on. Nicholas Witchell the other day stated "the amount of programing on the Duke shows how much he was loved by this country", no it wasn't any of our choice it was forced on us. It will be the same with the funeral, millions of football fans won't be able to watch football I imagine a large portion who are not fussed either way about the royals will put it on then we'll have people pointing to the viewing figures as proof the royals are loved.
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
The Duke of Edinburgh IS getting the simple funeral he wanted, he designed a Landrover to carry his coffin, which will be used on Saturday. Utterly ridiculous to suggest that the Royal Family can't listen to the wishes of anyone, just because you don't want to watch the funeral, millions DO.
Moving the time of a football match is very insignificant, when one of the most senior members of the Royal Family has passed away.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
I want to re-iterate that I am not anti-monarchy, before I say that all that you learned there could have been taught in a one hour documentary. In fact, a quick check on IMDB shows many documentaries in the past, of varying lengths which a royal fan could easily have watched for that information. Even I knew he served and saw action in WWII and about his WWF connection.
If there had been as many on Charlton, I would certainly have watched all of them already, being a fan and all that.
I had no objection to blanket coverage on BBC1, Airman has explained the protocol behind everything BBC stopping, which is fair enough. The protocol should be changed to reflect the 21st century.
I suspect if there had been a major horse race scheduled for 3PM this Saturday, the funeral may have been arranged at an earlier time.
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
The Duke of Edinburgh IS getting the simple funeral he wanted, he designed a Landrover to carry his coffin, which will be used on Saturday. Utterly ridiculous to suggest that the Royal Family can't listen to the wishes of anyone, just because you don't want to watch the funeral, millions DO.
Moving the time of a football match is very insignificant, when one of the most senior members of the Royal Family has passed away.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
I thought you weren't commentating on this thread anymore? That went well.
I have said run the funeral, but do not cancel or move the planned operations of other organisations.
Other businesses and professions don't get to break for the funeral, so why should some businesses be forced to operate whilst others have their operating hours shifted?
I don't advocate a national holiday for it, as I have said for all the good the royal family may do, they are merely equivalents of celebrities.
You seem to place these celebrities in way too high esteem. Do you hold other charitable celebrities in such high regard or do these ones get your support because they're born/married into their duties?
You and I will never agree on the status of the Royal Family, to me and millions of others they are an important part of being British and are not mere celebrities. Who are you to say that I place the Royal Family in too high esteem.
The death of Prince Phillip has had a profound effect on a lot of people - and not just in this Country. Some people seem to forget that so many people of all persuasions in the UK are strongly Royalist. You only have to have witnessed the wedding of the Queens second grandson a couple of years ago.
It's right and proper that there is due respect paid to the life of this public servant and a reasonable period of mourning is allowed - and this includes his funeral. So many people want to pay their respects and show gratitude to his life of service to the Queen and nation.
Sure, there will be some inconvenience for some people (like @golfaddick I was annoyed that OGWT was postponed) but the delay/cancellation of 3pm football matches on Saturday is hardly a national disaster. I cannot think of anyone other than football Club secretaries who may have had additional work created as a result.
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
The Duke of Edinburgh IS getting the simple funeral he wanted, he designed a Landrover to carry his coffin, which will be used on Saturday. Utterly ridiculous to suggest that the Royal Family can't listen to the wishes of anyone, just because you don't want to watch the funeral, millions DO.
Moving the time of a football match is very insignificant, when one of the most senior members of the Royal Family has passed away.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
I want to re-iterate that I am not anti-monarchy, before I say that all that you learned there could have been taught in a one hour documentary. In fact, a quick check on IMDB shows many documentaries in the past, of varying lengths which a royal fan could easily have watched for that information. Even I knew he served and saw action in WWII and about his WWF connection.
If there had been as many on Charlton, I would certainly have watched all of them already, being a fan and all that.
I had no objection to blanket coverage on BBC1, Airman has explained the protocol behind everything BBC stopping, which is fair enough. The protocol should be changed to reflect the 21st century.
I suspect if there had been a major horse race scheduled for 3PM this Saturday, the funeral may have been arranged at an earlier time.
The Scottish Grand National at Ayr has been moved from next Saturday back one day "as a mark of respect" to Prince Philip's funeral.
Following the Duke of Edinburgh's death on Friday at age 99, he is laid to rest on Saturday at 15:00 BST.
The Scottish Grand National was set for 15:35 that afternoon.
The British Horseracing Authority says no races will go ahead between 14:45 and 16:15 on Saturday, with the Spring Trials at Newbury also moved to Sunday.
While the Saturday Grand National card at Ayr is pushed back, the opening day of the fixture goes ahead as planned on Friday.
The BHA intends to finalise revised times for Sunday's races on Monday.
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
The Duke of Edinburgh IS getting the simple funeral he wanted, he designed a Landrover to carry his coffin, which will be used on Saturday. Utterly ridiculous to suggest that the Royal Family can't listen to the wishes of anyone, just because you don't want to watch the funeral, millions DO.
Moving the time of a football match is very insignificant, when one of the most senior members of the Royal Family has passed away.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
I want to re-iterate that I am not anti-monarchy, before I say that all that you learned there could have been taught in a one hour documentary. In fact, a quick check on IMDB shows many documentaries in the past, of varying lengths which a royal fan could easily have watched for that information. Even I knew he served and saw action in WWII and about his WWF connection.
If there had been as many on Charlton, I would certainly have watched all of them already, being a fan and all that.
I had no objection to blanket coverage on BBC1, Airman has explained the protocol behind everything BBC stopping, which is fair enough. The protocol should be changed to reflect the 21st century.
I suspect if there had been a major horse race scheduled for 3PM this Saturday, the funeral may have been arranged at an earlier time.
The Scottish Grand National at Ayr has been moved from next Saturday back one day "as a mark of respect" to Prince Philip's funeral.
Following the Duke of Edinburgh's death on Friday at age 99, he is laid to rest on Saturday at 15:00 BST.
The Scottish Grand National was set for 15:35 that afternoon.
The British Horseracing Authority says no races will go ahead between 14:45 and 16:15 on Saturday, with the Spring Trials at Newbury also moved to Sunday.
While the Saturday Grand National card at Ayr is pushed back, the opening day of the fixture goes ahead as planned on Friday.
The BHA intends to finalise revised times for Sunday's races on Monday.
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
The Duke of Edinburgh IS getting the simple funeral he wanted, he designed a Landrover to carry his coffin, which will be used on Saturday. Utterly ridiculous to suggest that the Royal Family can't listen to the wishes of anyone, just because you don't want to watch the funeral, millions DO.
Moving the time of a football match is very insignificant, when one of the most senior members of the Royal Family has passed away.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
I won't comment again, just sad that the postponement of a football match is considered more important than paying respects to a man who has served Queen and country for so long.
Don't get me wrong i've got no real interest in watching his funeral but i can't believe some people are talking as though he was just some old bloke from down their local pub.
He was only married to the Queen for 70+ years, pretty irrelevant and insignificant then........
I am an absolute anti royalist. I have no time for any of them. That said, I care not that the tv was excessive there was plenty of other channels to watch and there are plenty who complain about the coverage of the Olympics . As for the game being moved it’s nothing more than I expected . Why anyone is ghoulish enough to want watch a funeral of someone they don’t know is beyond my comprehension, but each to there own and they have every right to do so . Sky moves the KO times enough without much kick back so it’s to be expected the sycophants want the same.
I am an absolute anti royalist. I have no time for any of them. That said, I care not that the tv was excessive there was plenty of other channels to watch and there are plenty who complain about the coverage of the Olympics . As for the game being moved it’s nothing more than I expected . Why anyone is ghoulish enough to want watch a funeral of someone they don’t know is beyond my comprehension, but each to there own and they have every right to do so . Sky moves the KO times enough without much kick back so it’s to be expected the sycophants want the same.
Southern Rail have made their entire website grey, to mourn Phillip. They've had complaints it's now illegible, but have said they won't change it back.
This forced mourning is absolute fucking madness. Wouldn't surprise me that they've postponed the football because they know the funeral viewing figures would be so low if matches were still on.
Trouble is, there's a lot of things that apply equally to both sides being used as arguements "There are some people who might be able to watch the re-arranged match who can't watch at three" - yes and equally, there are some who could watch at three who won't be able to watch the re-arranged match. Prince Philip "...pretty irrelevant and insignificant then...", 3PM kick offs that have been the norm for over fifty years "...pretty irrelevant and insignificant then..." . "...not difficult to just move all games to 5pm/5.30pm/7pm....whatever really..." "...not difficult to just move the funeral to 10AM/11AM/12 noon....whatever really...".
My (genuine) last word on the subject. It is true that whatever time the funeral it would inconvenience someone, whatever time it is there are those that would wish to watch who will be unable to. But, it is known that from August to May, at 3PM, every Saturday for at least fifty years hundreds of thousands of people watch or follow football matches at 3PM on a Saturday. I can think of nothing that has that kind of weekly participation by so many people over such a sustained period? The thoughts of many of the people who, ultimately pay for the monarchy, have not been taken into account when arranging something that could have been held anytime from 10AM. It is not the end of the world, we will get to see our game, but it is another cudgel for those that are anti-monarchy to use to bash the institution with.
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
The Duke of Edinburgh IS getting the simple funeral he wanted, he designed a Landrover to carry his coffin, which will be used on Saturday. Utterly ridiculous to suggest that the Royal Family can't listen to the wishes of anyone, just because you don't want to watch the funeral, millions DO.
Moving the time of a football match is very insignificant, when one of the most senior members of the Royal Family has passed away.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
No-one is asking you to stop doing what you want to do. Whatever time is chosen will not please someone. Millions of people do want to watch the funeral.
I am being stopped from doing what I want to do. I want to watch the game on Saturday but I am prevented from being able do so. I wanted to watch BBC4 on Friday but I was prevented from doing so. etc etc.
If you want to watch the funeral on Saturday, fine, that’s your choice. What I resent is being prevented from exercising my choice in doing or seeing what I want.
An elderly much loved and respected member of my wife’s family is gravely ill at the moment and is expected do die soon. When she dies I insist that you don’t watch any television or, god forbid, any football on the day of her funeral.
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
The Duke of Edinburgh IS getting the simple funeral he wanted, he designed a Landrover to carry his coffin, which will be used on Saturday. Utterly ridiculous to suggest that the Royal Family can't listen to the wishes of anyone, just because you don't want to watch the funeral, millions DO.
Moving the time of a football match is very insignificant, when one of the most senior members of the Royal Family has passed away.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
The Duke of Edinburgh IS getting the simple funeral he wanted, he designed a Landrover to carry his coffin, which will be used on Saturday. Utterly ridiculous to suggest that the Royal Family can't listen to the wishes of anyone, just because you don't want to watch the funeral, millions DO.
Moving the time of a football match is very insignificant, when one of the most senior members of the Royal Family has passed away.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
It’s the Royal Family and all part of the tradition that comes with it. There were plenty other channels to watch Friday night. It’s pathetic that some were moaning about Eastenders. We haven’t had a death of a major royal for a long time so it’s something out of the ordinary and is an inconvenience to some of you.
I don’t really understand why you are all moaning anyway. To me if they put the football on about midday ( best solution) you can watch the match then at 3pm you can head down the pub garden with your mates. Better to go out earlier when it’s a bit warmer. So you aren’t cooped up indoors the first Saturday that the pubs open. Win win.
not difficult to just move all games to 5pm/5.30pm/7pm....whatever really
No it's not but they would then clash with the FA Cup semi final and a premier league game and the broadcasters don't want their audiences hit.
And we have the winner.
All of this nonsense could have easily been avoided if the EFL had just said that due to the funeral ALL League matches that were due to be played at 3pm would now kick off at 5.30pm. No need to have discussions, or talk of different days etc - just easily move the time on a few hours.
But I suspect (as @Henry Irving has just indicated) tv companies would have not been happy.
People; Oh great, I’ll watch the football like normal then...
Other People; Can’t, sorry...
People; Why?
Other People: Cos the funeral is on.
People: Wait, what’s that got to do with the football?
Other People; Nothing, just can’t, sorry...
👍🏻
It would be very disrespectful to hold matches at the same time as the funeral. The match will still be held, just at a different time.
Personally I am relaxed about moving the football, but I don’t buy into the concept of ‘respect’ with regard to the event. Ask for tolerance and understanding and adaptability fine, but asking for respect is too much. Respect is usually something earned and is given voluntarily, not on demand. For example if a funeral cortège passes by I will sometimes pause, even bow my head slightly to signal empathy and understanding, if driving I wouldn’t obstruct or hassle, but that is about mutual gain, not deference.
It's not that simple is it, it affects travel plans of clubs, and whether they would still stay overnight or have to travel at different times, etc etc.
So they have to speak to clubs. It's not that simple
I'm not anti-monarchy. Met the Duke when I was a student and been lucky enough to attend Queen's garden party at Holyrood.
3pm on Saturday has been football's traditional kick-off time for a century. If they want that for the funeral, fair enough.
But it shouldn't be this difficult to agree / announce what then happens to the matches affected and the thousands/ millions who would normally watch them. Especially approaching the end of an already disrupted season when there appears no scope to over-run. I don't know if the block lies with the palace, the government or the football authorities but it really shouldn't be this difficult.
Play the game on Sunday, simple.
Why change the game?
Why can't both events occur at the same time?
Will my paramedic, police or retail friends get the day off to watch? Would they want to? I doubt it. The man said himself he just wanted a simple military funeral, none of this showmanship or publicity.
As I've said before I'm not a huge fan of the royal family, it seems they can't listen to the wishes of anyone, whether it's Harry wanting to step back or whether it's the late DofE's dying wish for a simple non-public military funeral.
A cynic might say that the Royal Establishment (not necessarily the person's within the family) are benefitting from all the recent publicity. The Royal family is suddenly relevant to the outside world again.
I think the family should be allowed to grieve and celebrate the life of Philip in private, out of the public eye. I am certain that would be beneficial to them, rather than playing happy families for the cameras.
I watched all the television coverage on Friday night and learnt a lot about the Duke that I didn't know, such as how he served this country in the WW2 as a naval officer where his ship took part of the Battle of Matterface. He is a man who leaves an enormous legacy with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and his other charity work such as his early connections with the WWF.
What I learnt from all the tv coverage last Friday was that he wasnt Greek, he changed his name to Mountbatten (I suppose to be more "English" like the Sax-Coburgs), was also a descendant of Queen Victoria and first met Elizabeth when she was 13 & he was an 18 year old Naval cadet. Nothing like keeping it in the family is there.
Southern Rail have made their entire website grey, to mourn Phillip. They've had complaints it's now illegible, but have said they won't change it back.
This forced mourning is absolute fucking madness. Wouldn't surprise me that they've postponed the football because they know the funeral viewing figures would be so low if matches were still on.
National Rail did it too (although I think they might've changed it now as it's showing normally for me)
It's not that simple is it, it affects travel plans of clubs, and whether they would still stay overnight or have to travel at different times, etc etc.
So they have to speak to clubs. It's not that simple
Then again it's not that difficult. If a decision is made today clubs have almost a week to make arrangements.
Comments
If there had been as many on Charlton, I would certainly have watched all of them already, being a fan and all that.
I had no objection to blanket coverage on BBC1, Airman has explained the protocol behind everything BBC stopping, which is fair enough. The protocol should be changed to reflect the 21st century.
I suspect if there had been a major horse race scheduled for 3PM this Saturday, the funeral may have been arranged at an earlier time.
It's right and proper that there is due respect paid to the life of this public servant and a reasonable period of mourning is allowed - and this includes his funeral. So many people want to pay their respects and show gratitude to his life of service to the Queen and nation.
Sure, there will be some inconvenience for some people (like @golfaddick I was annoyed that OGWT was postponed) but the delay/cancellation of 3pm football matches on Saturday is hardly a national disaster. I cannot think of anyone other than football Club secretaries who may have had additional work created as a result.
The Scottish Grand National at Ayr has been moved from next Saturday back one day "as a mark of respect" to Prince Philip's funeral.
Following the Duke of Edinburgh's death on Friday at age 99, he is laid to rest on Saturday at 15:00 BST.
The Scottish Grand National was set for 15:35 that afternoon.
The British Horseracing Authority says no races will go ahead between 14:45 and 16:15 on Saturday, with the Spring Trials at Newbury also moved to Sunday.
While the Saturday Grand National card at Ayr is pushed back, the opening day of the fixture goes ahead as planned on Friday.
The BHA intends to finalise revised times for Sunday's races on Monday.
He was only married to the Queen for 70+ years, pretty irrelevant and insignificant then........
That said, I care not that the tv was excessive there was plenty of other channels to watch and there are plenty who complain about the coverage of the Olympics . As for the game being moved it’s nothing more than I expected . Why anyone is ghoulish enough to want watch a funeral of someone they don’t know is beyond my comprehension, but each to there own and they have every right to do so . Sky moves the KO times enough without much kick back so it’s to be expected the sycophants want the same.
This forced mourning is absolute fucking madness. Wouldn't surprise me that they've postponed the football because they know the funeral viewing figures would be so low if matches were still on.
My (genuine) last word on the subject. It is true that whatever time the funeral it would inconvenience someone, whatever time it is there are those that would wish to watch who will be unable to. But, it is known that from August to May, at 3PM, every Saturday for at least fifty years hundreds of thousands of people watch or follow football matches at 3PM on a Saturday. I can think of nothing that has that kind of weekly participation by so many people over such a sustained period? The thoughts of many of the people who, ultimately pay for the monarchy, have not been taken into account when arranging something that could have been held anytime from 10AM. It is not the end of the world, we will get to see our game, but it is another cudgel for those that are anti-monarchy to use to bash the institution with.
If you want to watch the funeral on Saturday, fine, that’s your choice. What I resent is being prevented from exercising my choice in doing or seeing what I want.
An elderly much loved and respected member of my wife’s family is gravely ill at the moment and is expected do die soon. When she dies I insist that you don’t watch any television or, god forbid, any football on the day of her funeral.
But if they cancel my long overdue haircut I will not be happy!
I don’t really understand why you are all moaning anyway. To me if they put the football on about midday ( best solution) you can watch the match then at 3pm you can head down the pub garden with your mates. Better to go out earlier when it’s a bit warmer. So you aren’t cooped up indoors the first Saturday that the pubs open. Win win.
All of this nonsense could have easily been avoided if the EFL had just said that due to the funeral ALL League matches that were due to be played at 3pm would now kick off at 5.30pm. No need to have discussions, or talk of different days etc - just easily move the time on a few hours.
But I suspect (as @Henry Irving has just indicated) tv companies would have not been happy.
Ask for tolerance and understanding and adaptability fine, but asking for respect is too much.
Respect is usually something earned and is given voluntarily, not on demand.
For example if a funeral cortège passes by I will sometimes pause, even bow my head slightly to signal empathy and understanding, if driving I wouldn’t obstruct or hassle, but that is about mutual gain, not deference.
So they have to speak to clubs. It's not that simple
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/46387.aspx
According to their own accessibility page they've broken the law
If a decision is made today clubs have almost a week to make arrangements.
But screwing up the foitball when we are on the fringes of the playoffs is a bridge too far!
Midnight kick off's are glorious for be here in Oz, the 2 am starts can be killers.
Hmmm, not sure how is going to play out but the earlier the better please.