A quiet Christmas?

I know that it's because we're out of the FA Cup, but it feels like home games are a rarity at the moment. The Christmas period seems particularly lacking in trips to Prenton Park given that the fixture computer has us without a match at home between Christmas and New Years Day. This seems odd, albeit a quirk rather than any conspiracy.

Home Boxing Day games are always something special from my own perspective. Maybe as Rovers supporters were always hoping for a 13-4 thriller as in the 1930s v Oldham. I doubt that there is anyone still alive who witnessed that match, few people have memories that are reliable, or detailed, from their early childhood. If you were 5 on Boxing Day 1935 you would now be in your early 90s. Whilst there may be a few Tranmere fans around from that period I doubt that there are any using this forum. However, Boxing Day games remain a chance to get out of the house, sit in the fresh air and enjoy a couple of hours when you can escape the enforced joviality of Christmas. 

Some might argue that a trip to Salford or Harrogate is the solution. I beg to differ. Salford, from my own perspective, represents all that's bad about the modern game. A vanity project started by Manchester United old boys where success has been bought with money. It's a club that I have no respect for, albeit I am sure there are some Salford supporters who merit respect. However I have no such antipathy towards Harrogate, yet the journey across the Pennines in December is not something to relish. I think it will be Ifollow and the warmth of home for both matches. 

Of course, watching on Ifollow is far from satisfying. It's not the commentary, you can always turn the volume down if you're that bothered, it's just that it feels like the pathway to becoming an armchair fan. The test will be next season when all games will be available on Sky. Doubtless you'll have to pay a King's ransome to be able to afford to do this, but the reality is that for some watching on the box will be more atttractive than going to the ground. I'll renew my season tickets, not going to a home game feels particularly sinful, but not everyone will feel that way. I remember reading years ago that in the future match attendance would be less important to clubs and the television audience would become much more important. Whilst that hasn't happened at the Premier League level I can see gates being hit when the choice is staying at home and watching on telly or going to the match. Football remains a communal activity, but maybe I am just taking an old fashioned view?

There are a couple of home League games before the Christmas period and I will be at both. As we approach the New Year though I wonder if future Christmas crowds maybe lower and less inclined to attend in person. Time will tell.