Poyet pulls no punches over Boxing Day postponement (From The Argus)
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Poyet pulls no punches over Boxing Day postponement
9:00am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Gus Poyet is furious over the lack of a Boxing Day game this year
Albion's Boxing Day knockout at The Amex has been branded an embarrassment by Gus Poyet.
The manager has voiced his frustration over the postponement of the traditional fixture against Millwall, which is now being played eight days early.
Albion announced the switch earlier this month because of travel and safety concerns.
No trains or buses are running on Boxing Day and more than threequarters of fans travel to The Amex by public transport.
Albion consulted local police, fire and ambulance services, as well as the Football League, over the change but Poyet is unimpressed.
The Uruguayan told The Argus: “It’s absolutely embarrassing, with every single person in this country convinced that Boxing Day is the most important date in football. Somehow we are not able to play and it shows it depends who it suits.
“If it suits the fans everyone would say we should play, if it doesn’t suit the bus drivers or trains or what ever it is we cannot play.
“So, at the end of the day, from my point of view it’s once more people picking and choosing what is good for themselves and not what is good for football or the country, for history.
“It's very individual, really really selfish I would say, and it shows you don’t have to (play on Boxing Day).
“From 1997, when I came to England, people say you have to play on Boxing Day. Well we cannot play on Boxing Day, so don’t tell me I have to when I cannot.”
Read the full story in The Argus today
Comments(57)
dave from bexill
says...
9:36am Wed 31 Oct 12
Shropshire Seagull
says...
9:39am Wed 31 Oct 12
If its going save alot of problems for public transport not playing at the Amex let the albion start their own transport company. Another stream of income.
the bolt
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9:48am Wed 31 Oct 12
tug509
says...
9:55am Wed 31 Oct 12
the bolt wrote:No one`s forgetting what Christmas is all about,but for many many years the boxing day match,and the new years match have been integral as a part of the holiday.UTA
im not convinced boxing day is an importat day for football, gus forgets what xmas is all about, and its not about watching football,
Claude Back
says...
9:57am Wed 31 Oct 12
the bolt wrote:Exactly.
im not convinced boxing day is an importat day for football, gus forgets what xmas is all about, and its not about watching football,
Neville
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9:57am Wed 31 Oct 12
Shropshire Seagull
says...
10:08am Wed 31 Oct 12
Seagulls Over Surrey (SOS)
says...
10:11am Wed 31 Oct 12
Poccypoc
says...
10:14am Wed 31 Oct 12
The Real Ryfish
says...
10:19am Wed 31 Oct 12
Neville wrote:It's possible that the club still believed that public transport would be up to the task at the time the fixtures were released.
Why dont the club ask to switch the tie to Millwall on Boxing Day????This could have been requested when fixtures came out,lack of foresight on someones behalf.
I personally love going to Boxing Day matches and this year will be at Shrewsbury v Notts County. The Greenhous Meadow is no Amex but the atmosphere is good and the Bovril is hot.
PittaPatta
says...
10:39am Wed 31 Oct 12
Claude Back wrote:First of all, it's Christmas, and not Xmas, and the fact that the day has lost it's meaning to greed and materialism is another matter and not for these pages. But we are not talking about football, or any other sport, being played on Christmas Day here.
the bolt wrote:Exactly.
im not convinced boxing day is an importat day for football, gus forgets what xmas is all about, and its not about watching football,
Boxing Day IS and always has been a day when sporting events against local rivals takes place. Therefore the day has always been far removed from Christmas itself in this sense, and inextricably linked to sport and leisure.
The fact that we are unable to play a top attraction against Millwall on the day is ridiculous in the extreme, and I agree with the comment made by Shropshire Seagull, that perhaps the club should start up their own transport system to overcome situations of this nature.
If I am prepared to travel down from just outside Chester, then I am sure that many many others would make their own way there, by whatever means. Keep rattling the cages Gus!
VegasSeagull
says...
11:21am Wed 31 Oct 12
For some to suggest that Boxing day has some sort of religeous meaning or is important because it's the Christmas holiday is wrong.
Boxing day in the UK is a day to have fun and for commerce to make money. It seems to me that others have put their personal wants ahead of BHA and the fans of BHA. Bus and train drivers, police and first responders have all chosen to put themselves first, to enjoy their day off rather than to honor years of tradition.
.
batray
says...
11:31am Wed 31 Oct 12
Shropshire Seagull
says...
11:32am Wed 31 Oct 12
markymark03
says...
11:36am Wed 31 Oct 12
VegasSeagull wrote:Boxing day is a Victorian tradition where people would box up parcels of food for the poor and hand them out.
Living where I do Boxing day does not exist here, Christmas is just a one day event. For some to suggest that Boxing day has some sort of religeous meaning or is important because it's the Christmas holiday is wrong. Boxing day in the UK is a day to have fun and for commerce to make money. It seems to me that others have put their personal wants ahead of BHA and the fans of BHA. Bus and train drivers, police and first responders have all chosen to put themselves first, to enjoy their day off rather than to honor years of tradition. .
Funny how times change from giving to greed.
Oh well UTA
dave from bexill
says...
11:47am Wed 31 Oct 12
VegasSeagull wrote:I don't know, these awful working classes who'd rather be at home with their families, rather than at work and ensuring the rest of us can have a good time.
Living where I do Boxing day does not exist here, Christmas is just a one day event.
For some to suggest that Boxing day has some sort of religeous meaning or is important because it's the Christmas holiday is wrong.
Boxing day in the UK is a day to have fun and for commerce to make money. It seems to me that others have put their personal wants ahead of BHA and the fans of BHA. Bus and train drivers, police and first responders have all chosen to put themselves first, to enjoy their day off rather than to honor years of tradition.
.
SMF20
says...
12:09pm Wed 31 Oct 12
What puzzles me is why our club didnt see this earlier? instead of waiting and relying so heavily on others providing transport why didnt they themselves look to use the University carparks on this one occassion while they sit there empty or perhaps look to rent a couple of local fiends Car boot fashion so parking would be available.
Anyway, just a thought.
Looking forward to Friday. Uta
rolivan
says...
12:14pm Wed 31 Oct 12
campotolox
says...
12:17pm Wed 31 Oct 12
BobbyLaverick
says...
12:25pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Bureaucracy or no bureaucracy.
tug509
says...
12:33pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Jonathan Mouette
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12:40pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Far gull
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1:05pm Wed 31 Oct 12
tug509
says...
1:29pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Far gull wrote:I know what you mean,normally i would be like a dog with two tails for at least a week before a game like this.But after the poor performance at Blackpool,even my over confidence is a little subdued.We have to make sure the lads dont drop their heads,dont tinker too much,and give hammond a map and compass to find the back of the net.UTA
More concerned about gus sorting midfield / attack . Ref lack of goals . Hope leeds tired after beating our friends down the road!!!!
Cabin fever
says...
1:34pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Jonathan Mouette wrote:I don't think that is the case at all, but I guess we'll find out in the future, if subsequent games that are scheduled for Boxing Day are moved or not...
I don't honestly believe it is a question of principle and people trying to get time off i it is more a question of who this game is against. Had we been playing Watford or some other team relatively close there would not have been an issue. There are many involved in the game's arrangements who would prefer this was at some other time and not over a festive period. At least that is what I think but...
fairweathersupporter
says...
1:39pm Wed 31 Oct 12
As for Friday? They'll be a game, we'll win, lose or draw. And dependant on that, we'll praise, berate or ridicule the participants based on our views; or in some cases, the views of our imaginary friends (you know who you are Trolls, you know who you are).
As for me, I hope Friday is not as pointless as this post...
Willie, Willie Irvine
says...
1:43pm Wed 31 Oct 12
saraman
says...
2:03pm Wed 31 Oct 12
The Real Ryfish
says...
3:05pm Wed 31 Oct 12
saraman wrote:Or maybe, like almost everything he says that is quoted in the argus, it was in response to a question asked.
Seems funny that Gus has left it until now to have a rant. The Boxing Day rearrangement was announced over a week ago. A bit of a smokescreen to divert attention away from his teams poor perfomances maybe?
seagullsovergrimsby
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4:01pm Wed 31 Oct 12
bluemonday
says...
5:08pm Wed 31 Oct 12
wole
says...
5:22pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Boxing Day is the fixture everybody looks out for and it is the first home Boxing Day fixture at the new stadium which has now been postponed!
It is obvious to me that there will NEVER be a home fixture on the 26th December, therefore I suggest that the stadium has been built in the wrong place!!
LACHANCE
says...
5:25pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Beethoven
says...
5:33pm Wed 31 Oct 12
This highlights a bigger question...Why are there no trains or buses running on Boxing Day?
There are all sorts of sporting events , and retail shop sales starting. There is a demand for transport so why is it denied? In a service industry why not work?
The public should demand transport!
saraman
says...
5:58pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Hove Actually
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7:20pm Wed 31 Oct 12
So playing the game earlier cannot be a postponement merely a change of date......but that isn't an interesting by-line is it.
Hove Actually
says...
7:20pm Wed 31 Oct 12
So playing the game earlier cannot be a postponement merely a change of date......but that isn't an interesting by-line is it.
SicklySeagull
says...
7:23pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Its a nonsence to say we should be responsible for public transport workers having to work because police,nurses and fire brigade are working at this time of the year,they are essential.
This change of date will favour those who think more of their family and would not take up their seat on Boxing day.
tug509
says...
7:39pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Cabin fever
says...
8:16pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Hove Actually wrote:It's a good point, but I'm not sure it needed to be made twice...
Just a quick point for our feckless reporters but the phrase "Postponement" means To delay until a future time;
So playing the game earlier cannot be a postponement merely a change of date......but that isn't an interesting by-line is it.
And it's a headline, not a byline.
fratsomrover
says...
8:21pm Wed 31 Oct 12
I cannot accept that Brighton will be the only outfit unable to host a game on Boxing day. It's ridiculous. Being one of the record breaking 36,747 supporters who attended the Boxing Day match at home to Fulham in 1958, I find it laughable. It reflects very poorly on the club.
Clean Sheet
says...
8:23pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Who could forget the 5-0 drubbing of the Palace?
Hove Actually
says...
8:32pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Cabin fever wrote:I am so dreadfully sorry old chap, gremlins in the tablet or server leading to two posts.
Hove Actually wrote:It's a good point, but I'm not sure it needed to be made twice...
Just a quick point for our feckless reporters but the phrase "Postponement" means To delay until a future time;
So playing the game earlier cannot be a postponement merely a change of date......but that isn't an interesting by-line is it.
And it's a headline, not a byline.
Hoarder12345444
says...
8:59pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Ringmer Rich
says...
9:00pm Wed 31 Oct 12
In the past, there has always been a sunday service.
championshipgull
says...
11:26pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Brighton & Hove Green Party Local Election Manifesto May 2011
Our vision
We believe a fair balance must be struck between
the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, public
transport users and motorists. It should be possible
to redesign a city where everybody can get around
easily without harming the well being of others.
Our vision is a city with clean air where cycling
and walking routes are safe and attractive, and
public transport is an affordable, reliable,
convenient choice for more people.
Greens will:
• Work with bus and rail companies to provide a
better-integrated transport system.
There is one small flaw in the greens cunning plan. It’s Boll ox.
VegasSeagull
says...
11:35pm Wed 31 Oct 12
dave from bexill wrote:The point of my offering was that Christmas is a one day holiday and that the day after is a normal working day over here. No way would a sporting event, or any event, be cancelled just because people didn't want to work. I am sure that the bus companies could do with the extra revenue, the train companies too for that matter.
VegasSeagull wrote: Living where I do Boxing day does not exist here, Christmas is just a one day event. For some to suggest that Boxing day has some sort of religeous meaning or is important because it's the Christmas holiday is wrong. Boxing day in the UK is a day to have fun and for commerce to make money. It seems to me that others have put their personal wants ahead of BHA and the fans of BHA. Bus and train drivers, police and first responders have all chosen to put themselves first, to enjoy their day off rather than to honor years of tradition. .I don't know, these awful working classes who'd rather be at home with their families, rather than at work and ensuring the rest of us can have a good time.
To say it's a working class issue is crazy, what about all the other grounds with matches scheduled.
.
heathgate
says...
8:39am Thu 1 Nov 12
LACHANCE wrote:Dont read it then... sheesh.
The more l look at this web page l feel that the Argus reporter ,Andy Naylor gets very little real information from the club.Most of the storys are second hand and days late.It,s about time we had some real uptodate information and not these nothing stories.
tug509
says...
9:04am Thu 1 Nov 12
KIS says
says...
9:10am Thu 1 Nov 12
KIS says
says...
9:21am Thu 1 Nov 12
dave from bexill wrote:Dave - I think you will find that public transport workers are no more working class that you are, like the majority of football fans. Maybe you should support Rugby or Cricket instead
VegasSeagull wrote:I don't know, these awful working classes who'd rather be at home with their families, rather than at work and ensuring the rest of us can have a good time.
Living where I do Boxing day does not exist here, Christmas is just a one day event.
For some to suggest that Boxing day has some sort of religeous meaning or is important because it's the Christmas holiday is wrong.
Boxing day in the UK is a day to have fun and for commerce to make money. It seems to me that others have put their personal wants ahead of BHA and the fans of BHA. Bus and train drivers, police and first responders have all chosen to put themselves first, to enjoy their day off rather than to honor years of tradition.
.
dave from bexill
says...
9:49am Thu 1 Nov 12
KIS says wrote:Kis. What on earth are you talking about?
dave from bexill wrote:Dave - I think you will find that public transport workers are no more working class that you are, like the majority of football fans. Maybe you should support Rugby or Cricket instead
VegasSeagull wrote:I don't know, these awful working classes who'd rather be at home with their families, rather than at work and ensuring the rest of us can have a good time.
Living where I do Boxing day does not exist here, Christmas is just a one day event.
For some to suggest that Boxing day has some sort of religeous meaning or is important because it's the Christmas holiday is wrong.
Boxing day in the UK is a day to have fun and for commerce to make money. It seems to me that others have put their personal wants ahead of BHA and the fans of BHA. Bus and train drivers, police and first responders have all chosen to put themselves first, to enjoy their day off rather than to honor years of tradition.
.
bluemonday
says...
4:15pm Thu 1 Nov 12
tug509 wrote:it's obviously the back end of nowhere,because nobody can get there
The stadium is built next to a train station,we even have our own bridge,how is that (the back end of nowhere bluemonday,or the wrong place,wole) Saraman makes a good point all our Fireman and nurses work without a fuss.The amex is also built next to a dual carriageway,so no way to travel there either ,i guess!.Open your eyes ,the infrastructure is there,just not the people willing to serve it.UTA
Captain Haddock
says...
10:29am Fri 2 Nov 12
saraman wrote:Indeedy. A touch of the Mourinhos methinks! ;0)
Seems funny that Gus has left it until now to have a rant. The Boxing Day rearrangement was announced over a week ago. A bit of a smokescreen to divert attention away from his teams poor perfomances maybe?
Captain Haddock
says...
10:34am Fri 2 Nov 12
wole wrote:Tell it to those ***** Archer and Bellotti! You are a tedious troll. Now be gone, space waster!!
A total shambles and in all honesty just about sums this country up. Boxing Day is the fixture everybody looks out for and it is the first home Boxing Day fixture at the new stadium which has now been postponed! It is obvious to me that there will NEVER be a home fixture on the 26th December, therefore I suggest that the stadium has been built in the wrong place!!
Captain Haddock
says...
10:40am Fri 2 Nov 12
saraman wrote:FeAStive? A fraudian slip, perhaps? Describes my festive Boxing Day for sure....feasting!!! Saraman, you've invented a highly appropriate new word there!
The police, doctors, nurses, fire brigade and countless others work on Boxing Day so why not public transport workers? When I was in employment I would have been more than happy to work on Boxing Day if it meant bringing more dosh home to the family coffers. It would appear that they are overpaid. We are the only fixture in the football league to not play on this very importent date in the sporting calendar. Is Scotland going to cancel their feastive fixtures? I guess not.
I think you have a point regards the OT although I suspect it's futile now as the culture is for limited services on that day and that won't change.
In previous jobs I've had to suffer awful hours though - you just have to roll with it...it's part of the job.

tug509 says...
9:19am Wed 31 Oct 12