Friday night lights - the weekend starts here

And lo, the FA saw sense and moved their European representative's weekend league game to a Friday evening, allowing them an extra day to prepare for their important Champions League tie. Alas I'm not talking about the English FA, the organisation that decided that the best way to beat the corrupt FIFA World Cup committee members was to bribe them with handbags. I mean Italy (and others). Napoli's Serie A game prior to the first leg of the Chelsea tie was moved, and led to a 3-1 win.

Chelsea have seen something here, and have reportedly lobbied the FA to move their FA Cup semi-final from Saturday to Friday, assuming they defeat Portuguese minnows (and former European champions) Benfica. Needless to say, it's highly unlikely. English football's real decision makers, telly and the Police, wouldn't be happy at something already set. But it also gives Chelsea the perfect excuse should they lose in the semi-finals to Barcelona or AC Milan.

But maybe they've touched on a good idea, something not often seen in the top flight, Friday Night Football. TFI Friday.

Ginger bastard (with Man Utd shirt in background) annoys millions

It makes sense really, in some ways more than others. Arsenal played twice on Friday nights in the 2003/04 season, beating Liverpool and Leeds United. Both played in the spring, balmy conditions, and a bonus - a free weekend for the fans. Imagine the die-hards, who go home and away, experiencing the joys of the weekend shop or DIY.

There were rumours not long ago that Arsenal lobbied to have more games on Friday nights, in conjunction with Transport for London. The constant engineering works at a weekend cause havoc across the capital, and a solution was proposed. Unfortunately it didn't really pan out, as the Police didn't like the idea. I imagine Sky also didn't want most of their target audience already out in pubs, not watching indoors. There was even a suggestion that, as part of playing the FA Cup final on a full league programme, there would be some Friday night games, but it appears not to be the case.

Paul Robinson was thinking more of TGI Fridays smokin' hot jumbo meals

There is a long-standing tradition of Friday night games lower down the league however. Tranmere Rovers are in the unenviable position of being the third wheel on Merseyside, between Liverpool and Everton. In an attempt to ensure their own crowds, and maybe even to pinch some of the others who may be at a loose end, Prenton Park hosted a large amount of matches down the years.

Again an advert for regional divisions in the lower leagues, the more Southern teams refused to play on a Friday, citing inconvenience for fans. But with smaller clubs struggling more than ever to attract youngsters in the era of Premier League overload, surely every idea and advantage should be taken?

Tranmere struggled to attract crowds on Saturdays

ESPN seem to have pushed the envelope this season, showing a number of their FA Cup ties on Friday nights, with no real disruption to attendances. People reporting that it's better than a Friday night at the disco is a good sign, but are people really that averse to change?

With English representation in the latter stages of Europe this season equalling the team currently struggling in fifth place, perhaps we should seek to take every advantage out there. And if we're playing games on Good Friday and Easter Sunday this season, it's not like we can say that nothing is sacred any more.