Maltby Main manager Louis Axcell has slammed the decision-makers over the banning of spectators in Tier 3 areas.
Maltby head to to Northern League giants Consett in the North East tomorrow for one of the club’s biggest games of the last few years, with the aim of going further in the FA Vase than ever before.
The excitement is curbed by the absence of their loyal supporters who are barred along with Consett’s fans due to the Tier 3 regulations which have forced the second round battle to be played behind closed doors.
Axcell does not agree with the latest moving of the goal-posts and feels Non League Football has been poorly treated – especially considering Step 7 clubs can have spectators watching.
“It would have been a fantastic day out with the stalwarts who watch Maltby and care so much about the club,” Axcell told Non League Yorkshire.
“Especially for those who haven’t able to get out and socialise (recently); it would have been perfect opportunity for a really good day out.
“I’m really disappointed with the Government, the DCMS and the FA for the legislation they have put in. I’ve seen some of the racecourse pictures and the pictures of Meadowhall over the last couple of days and 100% we could have created an environment in Non League Football crowds that is safe.
“I think we have been had and it is really frustrating. I think it is a disgrace for the DCMS to insist on the changes we had to make in a short space of time like the writing of risk assessments, the buying of equipment, the buying of temperature guns; all that cost and effort from volunteers and for us to be told it is not good enough.
“I commend every club I have been to because they have all done a great job in creating a Covid-safe environment.
“I think with all the time, effort, commitment and the money that has been spent, it is a massive slap in the face for those volunteers. I can understand why people are getting frustrated because it is not fair and a lot of people’s lives are being affected.”
On the Step 7 clubs being allowed to have spectators: “If we didn’t have a game, I’d take my son and a ball and go walk across a public field and watch a game.
“I’d be there without a shadow of doubt. I think so many people will go watch Step 7 (on Saturday) and they are open spaces, but most have no regulations or anyone to marshal it. It is a huge mistake and it is disgraceful, that’s the word I would use to describe it.”
The Maltby boss is also unimpressed with having basically no time for his players to properly train for such a big fixture. The lockdown ended on Wednesday morning and as a consequence, like all teams involved in the Vase, the Main have only trained once.
“I think it would be far better if it was taking us into a regular run of games,” he said.
“It would have been nice to have better preparation for it as it is clearly a tough draw. Our opponents are still in the final from last season so you’d seed them as favourites for the competition based on that.
“They have a nice 4G pitch they are used to play on and we have a two-hour-and-half journey. We have to play the game and we’ll go and try and give a good account of ourselves as we would in any other game.
“The welfare of my players is a big worry. People won’t have done a great deal, but we having a practice game tonight. We don’t want to do too much as we don’t want us to leave us not ready for Saturday.
“I think it should have been scheduled with more preparation time. I do feel there is conflicting actions between the FA and the separate leagues. It seems the FA get to do what they want to do. There was no flexibility in the FA Cup preliminary games because the big boys come in on the 3rd January and we were told in no uncertain terms that our FA Cup games had to be played.
“It just seems that all in the top end of the game get all the preferences and the leeway and we’re the poorer relatives. I think it is a harsh situation to make teams play. I don’t think we will get the outcome of results we would expect. I think it would be more of a level playing if we had more time to prepare. That’s across the board, not just us.
“But we’re going to have to grin and bear it. I’m not one to pull out of a fixture. We’ve just got to go and give it a good go.”
Maltby face an almighty fight if they are to reach the third round for the first ever time. Consett are off to Wembley in the future as they reached the as yet unplayed final from last season and they are flying high in the Northern League.
Whilst accepting status as the underdogs, Axcell believes in causing a shock.
“My aims are always to progress, not me personally, but the club,” he said.
“I’m aiming to go higher in the league and go further in competitions than before. It is a prestigious competition and if we can get a result it puts a massive amount of confidence in our squad. It would put us in a good position in the Vase and it would show the kind of pedestal we can get to. It is a good target (furthest ever in the Vase) to go for.
“Historically the Northern League teams have done well in the competition. There’s a handful from our league in the last ten to 15 years who have done well. Staveley got to the semi-final and Brigg Town won it many moons ago. Cleethorpes Town obviously did well to get to the final.
“Generally the Northern League sides seem to be the stronger sides and clearly them and Hebburn are the two top sides.
“I think it would be an upset (if we were to win). Saying that, I know what I have in my dressing room and on our day we can match them. At the end of the day we are all Step 5 and I hope all the NCEL teams playing in the Vase do well on Saturday.”
If Maltby fail to knock out Consett, they will have to wait until at least January to play another competitive fixture because of the continuing suspension to the Toolstation NCEL campaign.
It is likely to remain curtailed until spectators can return to NCEL grounds. The longer the wait, doubts will rise over the feasibility of completing the season. But Axcell remains confident the New Year will bring change.
“We were asked a few weeks ago as a club to vote on the idea of points-per-game to finish the league and I know all clubs responded,” he said.
“We haven’t had any feedback on that and now they have asked us to vote on whether the league should continue (behind closed doors).
“I believe we should get it finished. I strongly believe, particularly with the news of the vaccine, that maybe we can get a restart in January. I think with a big effort we can get the league finished. I’m trying to be positive on that.
“The vote for continuing the league came and we could have easily voted to continue because we only had one home league game before the end of January. But I don’t think playing closed doors should happen. It has to an even playing field and it has to be right for the majority of clubs, not just one or two.”
In the meantime, aside of their FA Vase commitments, new signings is Axcell’s main agenda item.
“We have been trying to recruit,” he said.
“It has been quiet because no-one was quite sure when we would restart. I 100% need some signings and I’ve needed some for a while.
“We have been turned down by two or three we have approached. We have made a really good signing in Bailey Hobson. With how the league has been going with the midweekers we have been getting on a shoestring – sometimes 14 or 12 players so 100% it is something we need to address.”
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