Yeovil Town’s Chief Operations Officer, Nicholas Brayne, has addressed supporters in an open letter ahead of Saturday’s National League match against Gateshead at Huish Park, expressing concerns about the impact of rescheduling games to suit television broadcast timings.
The fixture will kick off at 12:30 pm, a time earlier than the club would usually choose. This early start aligns with all National League matches today, as they have been moved to allow live coverage by DAZN. Throughout August, DAZN has broadcast every National League fixture live on NLTV, marking a significant increase in the competition’s exposure.
DAZN’s Chief Executive Officer, Shay Segev, emphasised the platform’s commitment to showcasing the league’s passionate supporters, historic clubs, and memorable moments. He highlighted that this season represents a major step forward, with every National League club featured live over 30 times and comprehensive coverage across the opening month. Segev added that DAZN aims to bring fans closer to the drama and community spirit of the National League, whether watching from the terraces or at home.
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While acknowledging the benefits of broader exposure, Brayne voiced his apprehensions about the early kick-off times, noting their potential to affect match attendance and revenue for lower-league clubs. “The 12:30 pm kick-off is earlier than we would traditionally choose,” he said. “Displaced kick-off times can impact attendances and matchday revenues without clubs necessarily being fully compensated for that impact.”
Despite these concerns, Brayne expressed full support for the National League’s broadcast strategy aimed at growing the competition and reaching wider audiences. He emphasised Yeovil Town’s commitment to adapting and making the matchday atmosphere as engaging as possible, irrespective of kick-off times. He urged supporters to attend in large numbers and back manager Billy and the players on Saturday.
In his letter, Brayne also thanked fans for their outstanding support during the recent match against Carlisle United at Huish Park. He described the atmosphere as one of the most memorable since his tenure, highlighting the significant crowd and the enthusiastic energy that positively influenced the team.
“The players felt it. The management felt it. Your support gave the team energy and helped drive them forward,” he stated.
Brayne reaffirmed the club’s philosophy that supporters are not simply expected to turn up; football is an entertainment business with a responsibility to field a team that fans can identify with and trust. He praised manager Billy for his understanding of both the fans and the club, and expressed cautious optimism about the progress being made by the squad.
“In Billy, we have a manager who understands fans and understands this football club. Football has a habit of punishing anyone who gets carried away too early, so I say this with the appropriate caution, but I hope we are beginning to see the first signs of something progressive taking shape,” Brayne concluded.