SCFL request further season extension

THE Sussex County Football League have asked for a further extension to help them complete the season after another weekend of postponements.

Last week, The FA gave the go-ahead to all Step 5 leagues to extend their playing season until Tuesday, May 7, but, after yet more games were called off over the weekend, the SCFL fear they need yet more time.

The SCFL hoped they could have all games tied up as early as Saturday, May 4, and had all fixtures re-jigged last week, but have since asked The FA for a further extension to complete all their fixtures.

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Just four league matches took place on Saturday throughout the County League’s six divisions in what now seems the worst-affected season in the league’s history.

As it stands, there are six weekends left for fixtures with Division 1 side East Preston the worst affected with 15 league matches, a Sussex Senior Cup semi-final, and the Sussex RUR Cup final to play.

Acting league chairman Steve Nealgrove, predicting another spate of postponements over the weekend, contacted The FA on Friday to request an extension.

He said: “We asked as, with the weather situation as it was on Friday up and down the county and having heard the forecast for the weekend, we would potentially lose most of our fixtures on Saturday, and, if the weather continued into this week, possibly lose them as well.

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“If we lost them it would put further pressure on clubs to finish by May 6.

“Although some sides are having to play three times a week already, if we lost a few more, then, potentially, they would have to play four times a week and therefore it would be unfair on some of those who are pushing for promotion or the championship.

“By playing that many times a week, it could hinder them trying to achieve what they are trying to achieve, whether that is promotion to the Ryman League, the title, or whatever.”

The request was received by The FA on Friday and they were taking it to their league’s chairman for discussion on Monday. No announcement had been made at the time of going to press.