Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby Town chairman Ralph Pearse
Selby Town chairman Ralph Pearse admits the fixture congestion has really taken its toll on his club’s hard-working volunteers.
The play-offs chasing side have been one of worst-affected clubs by the wet weather as they still have eight games to play.
Seven of them are at home. They also have to play two nights running one week and Mr Pearse says the gruelling schedule is pushing his band of volunteers to the limit.
“I just can’t believe what it has been like,” Mr Pearse told Non League Yorkshire.
“Volunteers are hard to come by and it has been really hard for ours recently. Ours are down at the club all the time, but getting the ground ready for three games-a-week is a lot to ask.
“They have been pumping water off it every day because we have been really hit by the rain. Everyone has done a phenomenal job though.
“But we are playing three or four times which is not good for anyone, players, volunteers, everyone, especially those who work full-time too.
“One thing that also gets forgotten is that because of all the home games, we need to get the kit washed nearly every day.
“We take our kits to a wash and press, one of our sponsors, and I’m taking it and when they say ‘when do you want it back’? I’m having to say ‘tomorrow’.
“They say ‘blimey Ralph’. Luckily they’re willing to do it because otherwise we would have to find something else to wear.
“I agree that the fixture congestion could cause people to walk away because it is easy to get fed-up.
“Players come and go, volunteers don’t so it is a massive concern. If someone said ‘would you like £5000 or ten volunteers’? It would be ten volunteers every-time.”
Christian Fox, described as the Messiah by Ralph Pearse in December, faces a massive battle to guide Selby into the play-offs
Selby are going to have live up to their ‘superheroes’ billing to reach the play-offs as it has turned into mission impossible.
Sixth-placed Glasshoughton have opened up an 11 point gap ahead of winnable games against Retford United and Worsbrough Bridge.
Two victories would mean Christian Fox’s men would have to win nearly all of their remaining eight matches.
Mr Pearse has faith in Fox’s side to make the dream a reality – starting tomorrow night when Grimsby Borough visit the Fairfax Plant Hire stadium.
“It is going to be really tough, there’s no getting away from it,” he said.
“I’m not looking at other results, I’m just saying that we have to try and win every match and get in the top six.
“But I think we are capable of doing it.”
This morning it was also revealed that Fox has been offered a long-term contract by Selby.