Football fans feel like an afterthought and want changes to be made to improve experiences

Fans have revealed what they would change about professional football – including better scheduling of away games, greater travel support from clubs and banning VAR.

A poll of 2,000 adults who attend football matches found 54% think their awayday experience could be improved as fans bemoan inconvenient kick-off times and one in four fans say better scheduling should be a priority.

Two thirds (67%) reported increasingly feeling like an ‘afterthought’ from football’s authorities, with trouble tracking down tickets also among the reasons even the most loyal football fans miss out on attending games.

The research was commissioned by UK shot brand, Fireball, which flew four Salford City fans in a helicopter ride to and from their team’s recent match against Newport County.

Ex-England star and Salford club co-owner, Paul Scholes also joined the fans as they headed off on the 400-mile round trip to South Wales.

He said: “We wanted to show fans that we massively value their support both home and away, and want to make the game day experience as fun and exhilarating for them as possible.

“We’re already known for offering subsidised away travel, something which this research shows football fans clearly care about.”

The study found 29% of respondents feel a main priority for clubs should be greater travel support for fans travelling to away matches.

Access to safe standing in the grounds also emerged as one of the top three changes fans wished for.

Aside from away game changes, 19% think managers should be able to challenge refereeing decisions and VAR should be banned.

Among the more bizarre responses to what changes fans would like to see in the game were adding half-time musical performances (10%) and half-time cheerleader displays as standard (13%).

And more than a tenth (12%) would be happy to see an ‘All-Star’ game, made of two sides featuring the league’s best players.

The typical respondent who took part in the study by OnePoll.com stated they watch as many as 11 games live each year, with 70% believing it is important for football rules to adapt and evolve in line with modern technology and play styles.

Lorenzo Farronato, spokesperson for Fireball Whisky, said: “Our research has shown that the match going experience isn’t always a party, especially for away games that often involve long journeys, late nights and high costs.

“We think game day - as well as all other experiences shared amongst friends - should be fun and that fans should always come first.

“Football is a dynamic and evolving sport, and fans are always seeking ways to make the game even more exciting.

“We brought the heat to midweek for Salford fans, we’ll continue to infuse more fun and mischief into the moments they share with us.”