Amateur backlog a growing worry

Halifax AFL fixture secretary David Rattigan has admitted to growing worries about a mounting fixture backlog after heavy rain throughout the winter.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Feb 2016, 10:12 BST
Updated 8th Feb 2016, 10:14 BST
Actions from Sowerby Bridge reserves v Sowerby United reserves, at Savile Park. Pictured is a rather muddy goal mouthActions from Sowerby Bridge reserves v Sowerby United reserves, at Savile Park. Pictured is a rather muddy goal mouth
Actions from Sowerby Bridge reserves v Sowerby United reserves, at Savile Park. Pictured is a rather muddy goal mouth

Only four games were played on Saturday and the experienced Rattigan said: “The backlog is starting to be a concern, especially if we are still to get some real winter weather, which I’m sure we will.

“Pitches are saturated at the moment so any rain at all will cause us problems. “

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AFL officials have called off the whole programme in advance on occasions this winter but Rattigan said it had been the right thing to do.

“Despite the frustration of having weeks with very little football, we are still better off not playing on pitches where damage will be done to them which would result in even more games being lost.

“At the moment, with 12 Saturdays left in the season, the Premier Division teams are not too badly off with the possible exceptions of Shelf United, Ryburn United and Warley Rangers.

“The first division is where big problems could arise.

“Denholme United still have 17 games to play. Sowerby United, who lose three Saturdays due to cricket, have as a club (including the reserve team) 17 home games to play but they have only nine Saturdays.”

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Rattigan said Sowerby Bridge, Ryburn United, Calder ‘76 Reserves and possible Halifax Irish Centre were also facing a busy end to their seasons.

“The Second Division is not too bad with only AFC Crossleys, Shelf FC, Sowerby Bridge Res and Sowerby United Res facing a backlog.”

Rattigan said officials and players were desperate for an improvement in the weather.

“With the amount of water already in the ground we are going to need a good run of dry weather for pitches to dry out.”

Some Halifax Sunday League clubs also face a hectic finish to the season.

Hollins Holme boss Joel Booth last week described his side’s backlog as “getting a bit silly now.”

Related topics:Halifax