Secrets of the fixture computer

[Y21_Royal]

A really fascinating read about how the fixtures are compiled every year

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2009/06/secrets_of_the_fixture_compute.html#097608

The whole thing is a logistical nightmare and whilst I didn't think it was a straight forward thing, the number of problems are immense.

For example - (taken from the article - West Ham, it turns out, are paired with Dagenham and Redbridge. But for reasons of revenue Southend request they do not play at home on the same day as the Hammers as they believe it impacts upon their attendance.

Southend, though, are in Essex, as are Colchester, so they cannot play together on the same weekend. Colchester share stewards with Ipswich so those two clubs also request they do not play home games on the same weekend. Transport links dictate Ipswich and Norwich do not play together on the same weekend either. In other words, when West Ham play at home can have an impact on when a club as far away as Norwich (108.8 miles) play their home fixtures.

There are other factors such as only being allowed two consecetive games home or away, limiting the distance travelled midweek, not having away games either side of an FA cup w/e - throw in special requests such as Reading not being at home over the August bank holiday and its a wonder that they manage to get it all out!

[Row Z Royal]

Hopefully this will put an end to the monthly conspiracy theory surrounding Reading being away after an international break etc.

[Thaumagurist*]

I'd like us to play at home after the international breaks!!!

[T.R.O.L.I.]

IIRC, there are some LOL-worthy requests submitted by clubs regarding there fixtures such as:

Hartlepool can't play at home on a cartain weekend due to a monkey-hanging festival
Some team can't play at home on a certain weekend due to a flower show

I'm sure there are more (think Brighton used to have one regarding Park and Ride at Withdean) but can't remember any specifics.

[Y21_Royal]

Hopefully this will put an end to the monthly conspiracy theory surrounding Reading being away after an international break etc.

I'd like us to play at home after the international breaks!!!

ALOL!

[Big Foot]

Brighton not allowed to play at home on a Saturday in December due to park and ride links being used by Xmas shoppers

[AndyRFC]

Who are Reading "paired" with I wonder?

I read somewhere, 2 from MK, Wycombe, Royals, Oxford and Possibly Swindon would be allowed to be at home on a Saturday?

[RG30]

Hull have to sometimes rearrange home games in October because of a big circus show on the grounds of the KC Stadium.

I believe the club maybe paired with Swindon as we share stewards.

[Barry the bird boggler]

The only thing definite about Reading's fixtures next season is that we will be away on 29th August and we will have Newcastle and/or Middlebrough away as a midweek fixture.

[Bowman's Quiver]

Interesting article but I don't understand why the fixture computer can't take account of the distance between grounds. I would have thought that was a relatively simple matrix to program in.

[AF1]

someone at SKYs getting fired

[Toon Toon Blue army]

- throw in special requests such as Reading not being at home over the August bank holiday and its a wonder that they manage to get it all out!

Didn't we play Burnley at home in 05/06 in the August bank holiday IIRC?

[T.R.O.L.I.]

someone at SKYs getting fired

Murked

As an aside (and if these are the correct fixtures rather than a test) not the easiest of starts for the Gunners.

[Dirk Gently]

- throw in special requests such as Reading not being at home over the August bank holiday and its a wonder that they manage to get it all out!

Didn't we play Burnley at home in 05/06 in the August bank holiday IIRC?

Nope - that was the Tuesday, although I thinl we have played on that day in the past, but only with police-free matches.

Ideally the problem isn't us playing, it's there being enough Police available to police it. I think TVP have, now, stopped it for good as they don't feel they have enough police to respond if there's an incident, even if it is deemed to be a police--free match.

[RG30]

- throw in special requests such as Reading not being at home over the August bank holiday and its a wonder that they manage to get it all out!

Didn't we play Burnley at home in 05/06 in the August bank holiday IIRC?

Nope - that was the Tuesday, although I thinl we have played on that day in the past, but only with police-free matches.

Ideally the problem isn't us playing, it's there being enough Police available to police it. I think TVP have, now, stopped it for good as they don't feel they have enough police to respond if there's an incident, even if it is deemed to be a police--free match.

It was definetely the Monday, sunny August Bank Holiday when Doyler scored his 1st goal for the club. We played Burnley on the Tuesday when we beat them 3-0 in the 02/03 season and Cureton scored a 25 yarder

[moo]

I remember leaving a festival one sunday night only to return to go to the footy the next day and to see all the festival goers still leaving...

[Dirk Gently]

Didn't we play Burnley at home in 05/06 in the August bank holiday IIRC?

Nope - that was the Tuesday, although I thinl we have played on that day in the past, but only with police-free matches.

Ideally the problem isn't us playing, it's there being enough Police available to police it. I think TVP have, now, stopped it for good as they don't feel they have enough police to respond if there's an incident, even if it is deemed to be a police--free match.

It was definetely the Monday, sunny August Bank Holiday when Doyler scored his 1st goal for the club. We played Burnley on the Tuesday when we beat them 3-0 in the 02/03 season and Cureton scored a 25 yarder

You're right - I got the two games mixed up. But the essential point remains - it's all about whether we can have a "police-free" match, rather than there being a blanket ban on playing on the Monday.

[TBM]

someone at SKYs getting fired

LOL - was it just Arsenal they showed?

[parky]

Interesting article but I don't understand why the fixture computer can't take account of the distance between grounds. I would have thought that was a relatively simple matrix to program in.

Yes but it would be a case of inputting the difference between every club in that division which i wouldn't have thought its a problem its just they cant be arsed.

[parky]

someone at SKYs getting fired

Nice Knockers