Carlisle United are NOT in favour of moving afternoon kick-offs to an earlier time in order to save money on using their floodlights.

The Blues say they would be worse off by switching to 1pm kick-offs on Saturdays instead of the traditional 3pm.

Some EFL executives have proposed earlier kick-offs as rising energy costs hit clubs.

The matter was being discussed by clubs yesterday.

But United say they would risk losing more revenue - from crowd numbers and bar takings if matches started sooner - than would justify the switch.

They plan to stick with 3pm starts - along with the majority of clubs, it is understood.

Blues chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “There are some calls to move fixture kick-off times to earlier in the day, to save floodlight power costs. 

News and Star: Nigel Clibbens, second left (photo: Richard Parkes)Nigel Clibbens, second left (photo: Richard Parkes)

“Every club is different - our geography and stadium issues make us special.

“The increase in floodlight costs of circa £300 per game is immaterial in the context of our overall total club spending on power, total spending and underlying losses.

“For us, the savings from moving kick-off times to reduce the small increase costs of energy for floodlights are insignificant – although the total energy costs we face have doubled and are very significant.

“The lost income in moving kick-off would make us worse off financially – reduced fan numbers attending earlier games and match day concession sales from early starts would be bigger than what we save.

“We have no plans to change home kick-off times at this point.”

Other clubs in the division have taken a different approach, with Mansfield Town moving their game against Walsall to 1pm.

A Stags statement said: “The earlier kick-off time will enable the club to discern whether significant savings can be made on floodlight usage and other energy costs.”

Bradford City’s Ryan Sparks also recently suggested that bringing kick-off times forward was something to consider amid the cost of energy crisis.

Some non-league clubs have also proposed playing games sooner in the afternoon.

But other clubs are against such a move at EFL level, with League One side Portsmouth confirming they would not be changing kick-off times.

News and Star: Paul Simpson says fans should be a major consideration in any discussions over kick-off times (photo: Richard Parkes)Paul Simpson says fans should be a major consideration in any discussions over kick-off times (photo: Richard Parkes) (Image: Richard Parkes)

That view is understood to have been echoed by many at yesterday's meeting.

United manager Paul Simpson also pointed out that bringing games forward could affect supporters - the most important people of all.

"I don’t think it would have a major impact on us [as a team] - in terms of travel, we have lots of games where we have to go for an overnight stay because of the distance. Let’s say, for example, at Hartlepool we had to kick off early, and we’re leaving at 9am to get across for a prematch meal...if it meant us leaving at 8am that’s no real hardship," he said at his latest press conference yesterday.

"One thing to consider is the cost of everything and whether we kick off earlier to save on energy prices, etc - but we also have to consider the supporters, who are the most important in all this.

"If we kick off at 1pm, let’s say you’ve got a family who have a son and daughter who are playing football on Saturday morning and the game kicks off, then they can’t get to our game in time - we have to consider that.

"It is about the supporters, we have to do what's right for them. I would hope any decisions that are going to be made would be in consultation with what's right for the fans."