A Norwegian Derby County fan spent £5,000 to bring his family to watch a Saturday game to celebrate his 60th birthday – only for the game to be switched to a Monday night game for TV.
Finn Steen and his party of 11 had booked flights, hotels and tickets to see the Rams take on Burnley in the Championship on Saturday, September 19.
But the game has been put back to Monday to be shown live on Sky Sports with Mr Steen and his group leaving the country 24 hours before the game kicks off.
He said: “I thought we would be OK because I waited until Sky had revealed their games on television before choosing to see the game against Burnley. I go to matches around twice a year, but wanted to show off Derby and Derby County to my family to celebrate my 60th birthday.
“We had arranged everything and it was all paid for. The flights to Stansted were booked, hotels, time off work and tickets to the game so it is disappointing the date got changed. I watch Sky every day and it just came up on the television. It’s not good news.”
Mr Steen, treasurer of the 400-strong Norwegian branch of the Derby County supporters club, said he would still be visiting the city as planned, from Thursday to Sunday, with his family.
He will be back to Pride Park in October to see his team play Wolves.
Mr Steen, a taxman in the town of Porsgrunn, said he has been a fan of the Rams since 1969 when Norwegian TV showed games from the English top flight.
Derby County has refunded the tickets. He said: “It is not Derby County’s fault. They have been very helpful.”
Derby County and Sky did not wish to comment.
The Football League has said it aims to give clubs at least 28 days notice when moving fixtures.