Gillingham boss Steve Evans says EFL's decision to schedule Blackpool away game in midweek does fans no favours

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:45, 11 February 2020

Updated: 07:54, 11 February 2020

Gillingham manager Steve Evans has hit out at the EFL for their fixture planning ahead of Gillingham’s midweek trip to the north west.

A 280-mile journey back from Blackpool in the early hours of Wednesday will be no fun for the fans, says the Gills manager.

The Gills supporters making their way to Blackpool face a long night Picture: Ady Kerry

“There are some people who will watch their team if they played in a car park on the top of the Alps,” he said.

“All clubs have their supporters and we had brilliant support at Burton (on Saturday). We will probably have half of that number at Blackpool, but they will be getting back to Kent at three in the morning, the Football League need to get a grip!

“I wouldn’t want that job of the fixture guy and there is no questioning the integrity of the fixtures but it can’t be right that we are sending teams on a Tuesday night to travel that far.

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“We’re talking about spectators travelling and the safety of them driving through the night, thanks to the Football League.

"When they are all tucked up in their beds on Tuesday night we will be on the motorway until five in the morning.”

Gills fans are no strangers to being sent on long midweek trips, with games at Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers to contend with already. They will also be travelling to Bolton for a Tuesday night game in April.

Blackpool had to play at Priestfield in an evening fixture back in August.