Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Shane Kelsey has slammed the social media keyboard warriors who have been posting comments about Hemsworth Miners Welfare’s battle with the football authorities over the size over their new 3G pitch.
The smart surface has brought so much good to the deprived communities of Fitzwilliam and Wakefield East but the FA and NCEL say the pitch is too short.
The recent postponement of the home clash with basement side Athersley Rec brought the saga into public domain via social media.
Neither the league or Hemsworth explained why the match was postponed – social media did that job and Kelsey said it was unacceptable.
“How is that information out in the public domain when clubs know specifically when it is meant to be private and confidential,” Kelsey told Non League Yorkshire.
“Certain aspects of stuff we have seen on social media and comments we have seen on social media, that would only be known if it was leaked.
“The league and ourselves never said why the (Athersley) game was postponed.
“The club are unhappy that this has been put out in the public domain and so they should be.
“You can’t stop what people put on social media.
“The thing I don’t like is when it becomes personal and I’ve seen a few comments that are rather personal and aimed at individuals.
“It is poor.
“Sometimes people need to take care of their house rather than look for ways of building themselves up at someone else’s expense.”
Hemsworth have now been allowed to play their final league games at home.
Kelsey declined to comment on whether the stand-off has been fully resolved.
But he did say the pros of the 3G pitch far outweigh the cons.
“The facilities here are absolutely second to none,” he said.
“I don’t think there has been any team who has come here and complained about anything.
“Given the chance, other than people voting for self gain or for just being a n*b, if you asked every team in the league ‘would they rather come here to play or go to some of the other grounds which are not up to our standard’.
“People would want to see this team and facility in the league.
“The club and the pitch is a vital community asset in a deprived area.
“You take this away then it is a poor choice.
“The fact that the pitch is exactly the same size as it was when Hemsworth came into the NCEL (in 2008) has been brushed under the carpet.”