The man that's worked on Premier League fixture list for 31 years explains detailed process behind it
The man behind compiling next season's Premier League fixture list has explained how it works in a fascinating breakdown of the 'meticulous' and 'painstaking' process.
Glenn Thompson, who has collated around 60,000 matches since taking on the role in 1992, has been a busy man ahead of next season's Premier League campaign.
So how does it work? Well, it's a process that lasts almost half a year and involves the scheduling of 2,036 matches across the top four divisions.
Speaking to the Premier League's website ahead of this week's drop on June 16th, the so-called "fixture-list compiler" has answered a series of questions relating to the process.
Thompson revealed that he started compiling next season's fixtures several months ago.
"For me it is at the start of the year when I get the playing dates from the Premier League," he said.
"The whole thing is built up, putting in the international dates from FIFA, then the European club competitions. Then the Football Association adds the dates for its competitions. You’re left with the dates when you can play league and League Cup matches.
"We also consult fan representatives, from the Football Supporters' Federation, and other stakeholders, to take on board their views.
"Around March, the Premier League sends to its clubs a form asking questions such as whether there are there any dates they wish not to be at home - which is answered in conjunction with the local police - and whether there are any teams they do not wish to play at home on Boxing Day."
When asked if there any rules you have to adhere to, Thompson said: "In any five matches there should be a split of three home fixtures, two away or the other way around.
"A team will never have more than two home or away matches in a row, and, wherever possible, you will be home and away around FA Cup ties.
"A club will never start or finish the season with two home or two away matches because it would be unfair for a team to finish with two aways,
"Around the Christmas period, if you are at home on Boxing Day you will be away on New Year's Day or an equivalent date. We also try to maintain a Saturday home-away sequence throughout the season wherever possible."
Thompson also reveals that travel issues come into consideration when deciding the fixture list.
"We look at whether we have clubs from the same area travelling on the same train lines across the Football League and the Premier League on the same day," he added.
"We want to avoid having 'pinch points' on the rail and road network. We also tell the computer to try to minimise travel on Boxing Day and New Year's Day or an equivalent date."
There are also rules you have to adhere to throughout the process.
"In any five matches there should be a split of three home fixtures, two away or the other way around," Thompson says. "A team will never have more than two home or away matches in a row, and, wherever possible, you will be home and away around FA Cup ties.
"A club will never start or finish the season with two home or two away matches because it would be unfair for a team to finish with two aways,
"Around the Christmas period, if you are at home on Boxing Day you will be away on New Year's Day or an equivalent date. We also try to maintain a Saturday home-away sequence throughout the season wherever possible."
Here are some of the factors that Thompson and his team take into account when creating the fixture list:
- Travel: The teams' travel schedules are a major consideration. The Premier League wants to avoid teams having to travel long distances for matches, especially on consecutive weekends.
- International matches: The Premier League also has to take into account the dates of international matches. Teams will often have players called up for international duty, so the league needs to make sure that they don't have too many matches in a row when their key players are away.
- Major events: The Premier League also has to take into account any major events that could affect the fixtures. For example, the league will usually avoid scheduling matches on the same day as a major sporting event, such as the FA Cup Final or the World Cup.
The Premier League fixture list is a complex process, but it is one that is essential to the success of the competition. By taking into account all of the factors involved, Thompson and his team are able to create a fixture list that is fair for all of the teams and that provides the fans with the best possible viewing experience.
Henry
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