The Northern League has written to the Football Association to request an extension to the season because of the serious concerns about the ability of some clubs to complete their fixtures.
League games have to be played in time for the promotion play-off matches to be completed by Monday, May 6. The Northern League fixtures are currently scheduled to be completed on April 20.
So far this season:
- In Division One, 230 games have been played. By now, 280 matches should have been played, before the weekend there were still 150 fixtures to be completed.
- In Division Two, 290 games have been played, but 320 should have been completed, with 172 games to be played.
That represents just over 60% of matches played, with just under three quarters of the season gone.
League chairman Glenn Youngman said: “We have serious concerns about the ability of some of our clubs to complete their league matches, with a significant number of clubs already eight to 10 weeks behind schedule at this stage of the season.”
So far this season, 375 games have been rescheduled – around 220 postponements along with other changes (for example because of clubs’ involvement in cup competitions).
Both Carlisle City, competing for the top five and a play-off berth, have 12 matches to fit in, the same as Penrith who are 16th but with ambitions to finish in the top ten (the top half of the table for the first time in several years).
Both are in action tonight with Carlisle City travelling to Sunderland RCA, struggling next to bottom and 14 games to play.
Penrith entertain Seaham Red Star at Frenchfield with the visitors still having to play 15 games. North Shields, who entertain Penrith on Saturday, have 17 games left to fit in.
