bit.ly/1zeCXoa

bit.ly/1zeCXoa

In summary:

We kick off at 2pm and Sheffield get a years free promotion in a catchment area they've been trying to tap for ages. Deal of the century

Disappointing imo

An attempt to attract new fans and sponsors, with the appeal of a double header??

'Our main concern was ensuring that the pitch wouldn’t suffer from the extra matches taking place' ...

Oh dear ... That statement doesn't do the Club any favours.

I am disappointed that there as been no consultation with the fans, I for one find this earlier kick off an issue, I go to nearly all home and away games each season, therefore on home games I ensure I have time for a family dinner before the game to keep all happy as more often than not away games can mean an early start, I'm not sure how this will be received at home if I am to literally give up every Sunday throughout the season with the exception of holidays to rugby, I feel lucky to have a understanding wife, I know not all of our support do, but this may test her to the limit, I am considering cancelling my season ticket and attend home games when convenient as I still enjoy away games and the day out. If this deal indeed is a commercial coup and the Eagles are paying a market rate for the use of club Doncasters facilities then I am fully supportive of the changes especially if the funds are used to strengthen our playing squad, to miss any game in a season frustrates me, if it means a more successful team then it's positive news. It would make sense if we played alternately home and away so both teams could have 3pm kick offs, why as this not been considered .

I suspect that if the club had consulted the fans about the change to kick off times, we would have come up with many different answers but the main problem is that any change from our traditional 3pm kick offs is likely to cause problems for some of us. There would be no answer that would make everyone happy - perhaps other than "no change".

I am annoyed that the club's main concern was the state of the pitch when I strongly believe their main concern should have been the implications for the fans.

Once the fixtures had been decided, I doubt the RFL would consider swapping the schedule to ensure the Dons and Sheffield were at home on alternative weekends. Maybe a word in the RFLs ear some time before the fixtures were released could have persuaded them. It would be unfair to inconvenience every other team in the league by issuing a revised fixture list now.

On balance, a 2pm kick off time is probably the least inconvenient of all possible changes although like Rugblyman says plenty of Sunday dinner plans could be upset with family arrangements disrupted.

I don't suppose we'll ever know how much the Dons will benefit financially from the arrangement. Maybe any financial benefits to the club won't help pacify fans' objections anyway. The club must feel it's worth it financially.

It'll be interesting to see what the arrangements are for the "double header". I would suggest that as a goodwill gesture to Dons' fans for the inconvenience caused, that we are all allowed to watch the second match for free.

I'm happy with that ... we play first and one hour earlier is not a big issue for me, although 3pm would have been better with Sheffield having no choice in the matter but to play an hour later.
I will need convincing that the Dons will see any of this revenue, some figures might be useful ...
will we get any?

I'll be honest 2pm is probably better for me; personally although I can see it is not better for everyone. The double header thing will more likely come in to its own as the season progresses and others games have more of an impact on our own position.

I have been assured, and am convinced, that this is financially great for the Dons specifically.

The pricing obviously needs planning; we were £12 (by far the cheapest in the divisions) and they were £15 (about average) last season so ours was almost certainly going up anyway.

At some point, unless someone beats me to it, I will go through both clubs fixtures and work out the fixture parings. Imagine if were playing Fev and Sheffield play Bradford on the same day...could get busy!

Is this a rugby forum or the BBC good food website? Here's the Eagles press release and matchday prices, which I can only assume are the same for both. Great news that matchday prices are down on last year from £16. www.sheffieldeagles.com/News/Article/36897

Is this a rugby forum or the BBC good food website? Here's the Eagles press release and matchday prices, which I can only assume are the same for both. Great news that matchday prices are down on last year from £16. www.sheffieldeagles.com/News/Article/36897

Matchday 1 -
Dons v Fev
Sheff v London

2-
Dons v Leigh
Sheff v Batley

3-
Dons v Batley
Sheff v Hunslet

4-
Dons v Sheffield

5-
Dons v Dewsbury
Sheff v Leigh

6-
Dons v Bradford
Sheff v Halifax

7-
Sheff v Dons

8-
Dons v Workington
Sheff v Dewsbury

9-
Dons v London
Sheff v Whitehaven

10-
Dons v Whitehaven
Sheff v Workington

11-
Dons v Hunslet
Sheff v Bradford

12-
Dons v Halifax
Sheff v Featherstone

Number 6 could be an interesting afternoon.

Not happy fuming in fact.
I work every Sunday until 2 and could just make 3pm k.o.
I may have to return my season ticket it was bought on the premise of 3 pm k.o.
I wonder if anyone from dons office can reply to this.
No tickets should have been on sale until this was sorted.

In fairness to the club, lots of clubs have "Early Bird" offers on season tickets before the fixtures come out. It's not uncommon and no-one was forced to buy.

Wonder why it couldn't be 3pm and 5 15?