Man City fans threaten FA with Super League style action over Arsenal Community Shield clash

A group of Manchester City supporters have warned the FA not to underestimate the power of football fans, citing the Super League debacle as evidence of what may happen if their interests are not heeded.

It comes after the FA initially scheduled the Community Shield kick-off time for a 5:30 pm start on Sunday, August 6. That has now been moved back 90 minutes to 4 pm, but Manchester City supporters group 1984 have called for more, arguing for a kick-off time of 3 pm. The side will play Arsenal in the classic season opener.

The 1984 group has called on fans to boycott the Community Shield match to demonstrate the power of fans and encouraged people to donate to foodbanks instead.

In a statement sent to The Football Supporters' Association, the fans wrote: "Fan power ended the Super League, it stops price increases, it brought in £30 capped away tickets in the Premiership, it stopped ID cards, it brought in safestanding. Fans have more power than they think if only they realised it!

"Broadcasters moving the kick-off times is one of the current issues affecting everyone. Fan pressure has seen the ridiculous decision to play the Community Shield at 5:30 pm on a Sunday evening to 4 pm but for Manchester City supporters who have been to Wembley many times in recent seasons, 3 pm is a fair request to the authorities to allow more people to travel back at a sensible time.

"Many are still boycotting the game. A hastily put-out statement from the FA said that 4 pm was agreed after consulting the police, the local council and the broadcaster. The most important stakeholder was not consulted - the fans."

The supporters' group went on to speak of the 'challenges' of getting to Wembley in comparison with an average away trip to London.

The letter continued: "We play league games at Newcastle, at Southampton and in London with evening kick-offs, but there's usually only 3,000 away fans expected to travel.

"The Community Shield allocation is 10 times that amount. Wembley is a great iconic venue but there are challenges getting to and from there so we call on ITV and the FA to help our fans in particular by offering an earlier kick-off which allows families to attend.

"This is a test for fan power. It's hard to sacrifice watching your team. However, it is an opportunity to make a statement. It's not the FA Cup Final, it's not the Champions League final. It is a game in the scheme of things where fans, if they are not valued can choose to walk away from attending."