Local footballers face fixture backlog

LOCAL football officials in Rotherham are hoping that the New Year weather is kind enough to allow them to work through a glut of fixtures.
Parkgate celebrate Brandon Bagley's goal in last week's draw with Armthorpe Welfare.Parkgate celebrate Brandon Bagley's goal in last week's draw with Armthorpe Welfare.
Parkgate celebrate Brandon Bagley's goal in last week's draw with Armthorpe Welfare.

The wet weather led to a raft of postponements in November and December, with the Rotherham Sunday League more than 100 matches behind schedule.

That is an almost unprecedented scenario for this time of year, with most disruption normally arriving with freezing temperatures in January and February.

Should that situation be repeated it will see the backlog snowball. In the meantime the fixtures planners are doing all they can to get games on.

“We have not known it this bad this early,” said Rotherham Sunday League secretary Mark Pilley.

“We had a committee meeting in November and were told there had been 50 matches called off so you can at least double that now.

“We are just playing it by ear at the minute and are trying to fit fixtures in where we can.

“You normally expect the worst weather in January and February, not November and December, so goodness knows what is coming.”

His thoughts were echoed by Andy Dawson, manager of Northern Counties East League side Parkgate.

The rainfall has been so heavy in the last two months that their match against Armthorpe last Saturday was only their second since October and the club does not want any further disruption.

“In the past we have missed two or three games in January so if that happens I don't know what the league will do,” said Andy.

Parkgate manager Andy Dawson.

“The lads have holidays booked at the end of the season so the season can't really be extended any further.

"Our players have trained every single week but training is completely different to playing. It has been difficult but other sides have had the same issues. 

"We are having to reschedule eight or nine games in total and it is going to be a challenge."

Thankfully, the weather forecast is more promising for the weekend.

Parkgate are scheduled to host North Ferriby tomorrow while near neighbours Swallownest, three points above the Steelmen in the table, go to Armthorpe.

Maltby Main do not have a game in the NCEL Premier until next Saturday.

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