A fixture extension would give two of Tadcaster’s title rivals an unfair advantage
The Southern Leagues may have a case for extending their seasons because of the recent poor weather conditions down South, but the NCEL and Evo Stik Leagues do not have an excuse to do that.
Last season both leagues had no choice but to add an extra seven days into season. This year, until the last few weeks, the weather has been very kind and clubs have been able to get their games played.
In the Evo Stik, only New Mills (for the second season running) in Division One North and Gresley in the South have a potential major problem of having to cram matches before in the end of April. Both have played only 24 games, while others have reached the 30 mark.
Worksop Parramore and Brighouse Town are the clubs with a possible fixture pile-up nightmare in the NCEL. Brighouse have been unlucky with the rain alongside their FA Vase run.
Worksop have only themselves to blame for the backlog as during November they did not play one midweek league game. They started the month by playing a county cup match in midweek before failing to even have league game scheduled for a Tuesday or Wednesday night. Garforth played three league midweek matches out of four in November, including a long trip to Bridlington. Glasshoughton turned teams out in all four midweeks in that month and even had to play at Long Eaton on a Wednesday night.
Most NCEL sides are over nearly or over the 30 game barrier so are well-placed to finish the season, even if the weather does win again this weekend, like expected.
At this current point of time, there is absolutely no need for an extension and to grant one would be unfair. Brighouse and Worksop are the only teams in the NCEL with a problem and add another week to the season would give them an unfair advantage over their title rivals Tadcaster and Barton.
The only advice that can be given to Brighouse and Worksop is sign more players a back-up for potential Saturday-Tuesday-Thursday week of matches.
The majority of Evo Stik and NCEL sides have plenty of free midweeks between now and the end of the season so the current spree of postponements easily fit into the calendar.
To extend the season would be unfair on the clubs who have got their games in like Tadcaster, Barton and Basford in the NCEL and teams such as Warrington and Farsley who are fighting at the top end of their leagues.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce chairman Craig Wood has been overwhelmed by the calibre of the applicants for the vacant manager’s job.
The interest in the role was expected to be high because of Shaw Lane’s big budget for the NCEL and its potential to rise up the Football Pyramid.
One person who claims he has not applied is former AFC Emley and Worksop Parramore boss Darren Bland. Bland tweeted that he was not interested in the role and is enjoying his time away from football management.