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The Football League has released an article about how the fixtures are prepared for the coming season.
While the lengthy article reveals there is to be no New Years Day fixture this season, one particular passage is of note. Glenn Thompson, of software developers Atos Origin, explains the various permutations that have to be considered:
"There are a number of pairings that are fairly obvious, the likes of Sheffield Wednesday can't be at home on the same time as Sheffield United. You then start looking at those relationships from a wider angle, for example this season, when West Ham are at home it requires Dagenham & Redbridge, and where possible Leyton Orient to be away. Southend United like to be opposite West Ham because it affects their support but Southend United have to pair with Colchester United for Essex Police reasons and Colchester United have to pair with Ipswich Town due to shared stewards. Also, for police reasons Ipswich have to pair with Norwich City.
"In addition to this, Tottenham Hotspur also like to be opposite West Ham United in the Premier League so that brings Arsenal into the mix, which affects Barnet and for the first time this year, Gillingham have asked to be opposite Southend. That is just one example and taking it to the extremes, shows that the fixtures for eleven clubs are linked together to varying degrees."
Got that? Good, we need fixtures by 10am Monday. Your time starts now...
