Scholes explains fixture change

Stoke City fans have been left out of pocket by Stoke and Tottenham`s decision to move their festive fixture.

A number of fans have purchased train tickets and booked hotels months in advance for the Premier League fixture which was originally scheduled for Saturday 28th December, but will now take place on December 29th.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes has released a statement on the club`s official site.

He said:

‘When the fixtures for the 2013-14 season were announced in June many clubs, including ourselves, were surprised that over the Christmas period there was a two-day gap between two games, followed by a four-day gap before the next fixture. The issue was raised with the Premier League, who promised to look into it.

‘As a club we did not expect any changes to be made to the Christmas schedule but were informed last week by the Premier League that clubs would be allowed to move their December 28 fixtures back by 24 hours – a decision we immediately communicated to supporters.

‘As the home club, Tottenham had the greater influence over whether or not the game was moved, although we obviously had a part to play in the decision. I`m sure that you would accept that from a footballing point of view 3 days between each game makes more sense and from the point of view of supporters at least the decision has been made now, seven weeks before the game.

‘However, I do recognise and would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused to a section of our support who may already have organised travel independent of the club`s free coach travel scheme. Whilst we are unable to reimburse travel or hotel costs you may already be committed to, we are able to offer you free travel on the day of the game. Our free coach travel initiative normally only applies to fans travelling to and from Stoke for Premier League games. However, given the circumstances, we are happy to reserve you a seat on a coach for the return journey from London only, if this suits you better. I accept that this may not be an ideal situation, but it does mean that you will not incur any further costs.’