Albion Rovers to discuss kick-off changes this winter as cost of living crisis bites

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Albion Rovers board will meet to discuss the potential of bringing kick-off times forward this winter to combat the cost of living crisis.The Scottish FA announced last week that clubs competing in the Scottish Cup this season will be permitted to move matches away from the traditional 3pm kick-off to limit the cost of using floodlights and heating during the winter months.And it is understood the SPFL would also be open to league matches being moved, if both clubs are in agreement.It could see matches kick-off at 12pm or 1pm to avoid the use of floodlights and save on heating costs.Energy price hikes will hit Scotland’s smallest clubs the hardest this winter and League Two Rovers are among those considering bringing forward their matches.Club secretary Colin Woodward has revealed officials will convene to discuss their options at the September board meeting later this month, but admits there are many things to be considered.He said: “It is something the board are going to discuss.“A decision hasn’t been made yet and it will depend on things like how far our opponents would be travelling as well, or hospitality where lunch could turn into breakfast.“A lot of clubs could lose their afternoon hospitality, which is a good source of income for them, but they will perhaps need to balance out what they will miss out on with how much the floodlights are going to cost them.“Once reality bites and the days get darker then I’m sure there will be games where people fancy an early kick-off.“We are quite fortunate at the moment that we don’t need floodlights yet but we are the same for as everyone else at the moment, costs are spiralling.“We are just trying to keep things at a minimum at the moment.