DARTFORD have hit out at the National League‘s decision to postpone their game against Maidenhead United on Saturday, saying they are “appalled”.
Maidenhead take on Port Vale in their FA Cup first round replay on Thursday night, live on BT Sport, and the Magpies asked the league to call off their league game 48 hours later after Dartford had rejected a similar approach.
The league obliged and let the Darts know on Monday that they would now have no National League South fixture on Saturday.
And the club haven’t held back, releasing a statement that criticised the late decision and the prospect of a midweek game with a smaller attendance.
“If Maidenhead had contacted us as soon as the announcement was made by BT Sport, it would have given more time for consideration of the options,” the Darts said.
“They waited until last Friday and we politely refused. On Saturday morning they then went direct to the National League, who, without any contact with ourselves, agreed to Maidenhead’s request for a postponement.
“A league representative telephoned club secretary, Peter Martin, to advise us of their decision on Monday. Despite our immediate appeal to the newly appointed chief executive (Michael Tattersall) of the National League, their decision is final.
“We at Dartford Football Club are appalled by the league’s decision, which leaves us without a fixture for another weekend.
“It also means players, management, directors and fans, having to make arrangements to take extra time off work on the afternoon of the re-arranged date. We will undoubtedly be supported by far fewer fans than would have been at this Saturdays’ game.
“A request was also made by us to switch to the Sunday but with tenants, Hayes and Yeading at home to Truro City, that would have involved ‘inconveniencing’ two other clubs in the process, which the league were not prepared to do.”
