A flexible approach is needed to kick-off times says Gillingham boss Neil Harris.

EFL club representatives met this week and among the items up for discussion was bringing kick-off times forward from the traditional 3pm slot to an earlier hour in order to avoid floodlight costs. With energy bills rising, it could save clubs big money.

Mansfield Town are one of the clubs who have already shifted a match next month to 1pm, in order to "discern whether significant savings can be made on floodlight usage and other energy costs," they say.

The EFL are understood to be advising clubs not to move their games, believing they will lose money in other areas such as hospitality.

Many clubs, including the Gills, moved to earlier kick-offs during the Covid pandemic, when fans weren’t travelling to games and Harris is clear they are the most important group in the argument to moving to lunchtime starts.

“It is such a fine balance,” Harris admits, when asked for his opinion this week. “Saturday afternoon 3 o’clock. Why? Tradition? Supporters to travel away?

“When we had Covid I was at Cardiff, home games we kicked off at 12.30pm or 1pm because there were no fans, it was great, more recovery time between games, more family time for the group, but I understand tradition and the importance to the fanbase at every club.

“Some people need Saturday morning either to work, to travel, to entertain (their children), at children’s club, it is a very tricky balance but to a football club, running floodlights cost a fortune. If we put our prices up (for fans) to buy tickets, then people can’t afford to go so there has to be that balance.

“What I will say is the football industry has to listen to its fans, the supporters nationwide, to what they want as well, because it can’t just be a football club or EFL/FA decision, it has to be for everybody.

“We are bringing a game forward to 7pm against Brighton (in the Papa John’s Trophy). We hope it’s an opportunity for younger fans to be able to come, they can watch their team play and get home at a sensible time before going to school the following morning. But then you have [to] balance that with ‘can people get home from work, get their tea and out for the game in time?’ There is a balance to everything.

“We have to be more flexible in the industry. Covid has changed the world, more flexible as an industry to change, but it is an opportunity to get it right now, listen to the stakeholders, listen to the fans, if it means moving kick-offs forward and hour or two and it suits everyone, why not?

“Sometimes, until you try something you don’t know. The fans are the lifeblood of football clubs, so if they don’t come we don’t have a club. It is important that everyone is consulted. It is just my opinion but I would be flexible to it.”

Earlier this month, the Southern Counties East Football League agreed that clubs could kick-off games earlier to reduce floodlight costs.