Mansfield bring League Two clash against Walsall forward to 1pm next month to reduce energy bills

Mansfield become the first EFL club to move a match forward to reduce lighting and heating bills amid the cost of living crisis – with their League Two clash vs Walsall on October 15 to kick-off at 1pm – and more are expected to follow suit

  • League Two’s Mansfield have brought their match vs Walsall next month forward
  • The fixture was originally meant to be taking place at 3pm on the Saturday
  • But in an attempt to reduce energy bills it will now be going ahead at 1pm
  • EFL clubs expressed their support for earlier kick-off times in a survey this week 

Mansfield have brought their League Two fixture against Walsall on Saturday 15 October forward from 3pm to 1pm to reduce spending on floodlights and other energy costs.

EFL teams are set to discuss the possibility of early kick-off times as a possible solution to soaring energy bills next week, an idea which gathered pace when a survey revealed many of them would support it on Wednesday.

Over 60 per cent of the 40 clubs asked by Fair Game said they would consider bringing kick-off times for Saturday league matches and FA Cup ties forward in an attempt to reduce bills for lighting and heating. 

Mansfield have brought forward their clash with Walsall from 3pm to 1pm on Saturday 

And ahead of their meeting with Walsall on Saturday, Mansfield have taken the first step towards tackling the cost of living crisis by moving the match forward from 3pm to 1pm.

The Stags said in a statement on Thursday: ‘Mansfield Town’s Sky Bet League Two encounter at home to Walsall on Saturday 15 October will now kick-off at the earlier time of 1pm.

‘The match was originally scheduled to get underway at 3pm.

‘The club is endeavouring to mitigate the forthcoming, considerable increase in energy bills.

‘As part of these efforts, the earlier kick-off time will enable the club to discern whether significant savings can be made on floodlight usage and other energy costs.

‘Moreover, following the trial of this change in kick-off time, the club will be able to better determine whether an earlier kick-off on a Saturday would have an affect on prospective attendances.’

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk