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LAST week, I like many other neutrals, set our watches meticulously for a double treat. First, we had Carshalton Athletic hosting Guernsey at 12.45pm, then, after a quick shift down the road, to Sutton United for their 3pm kick-off against Bishop’s Stortford.
As has become the norm when playing Guernsey these days, I double checked there were no flight problems before leaving home just after 10am.
The Ryman League website reported no such issues so with that I set off. You’ll appreciate then my shock and anger on arriving at the War Memorial Sports Ground to find the match had been postponed, due to what was described by home supporters as a “flight mix-up”.
I have to say, I think that is pretty poor, and I hope the Ryman League take the plights of supporters like me, not to mention the players and managers who have made the commitment to attend, into account in awarding the game to Carshalton.
Any other decision, I believe, would send out completely the wrong signals – especially when clubs have been punished in the past for failure to attend a match. I note Guernsey’s claim this is first time in the four years they have played on the mainland that they have missed a flight?
However, I also feel that if it happens again, the maybe the Ryman League, or indeed Football Association, should question the Green Lions’ continued participation?
Yes, people can make mistakes with travel arrangements, but in their case, or anyone travelling over there, such mistakes cannot be easily rectified.
RICHARD LARGE via email
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IN reply to Davy Barris in last week’s Fans’ Forum regarding his ‘experience’ of bad language at Sun Sports FC, our committee launched an investigation into this matter and found no evidence of such abuse taking place.
We contacted the opposition, Hadley, and the story came as a surprise to them as none of their committee or bench could recall any such language being used.
In fact, we played them in a cup game in midweek and there was such goodwill between the sides that we allowed them to score unopposed after we felt they had been on the wrong end of a bad decision by the official.
We are in the top four of the Spartan South Midlands League’s good behaviour table and proud of our efforts.
KEVIN AFFLECK, Sun Sports FC
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I READ Sam Elliott’s article about Tony Kleanthous in last Sundays NLP with great interest.
Having been raised in Barnet Lane and a Bees supporter for nearly 70 years, of course we would rather be playing in the Borough of Barnet, but there is more to the story.
As is widely known, Barnet Council are the reason we now play in Harrow. Barnet Council have missed a trick by not getting the same great facilities in their Borough, especially when they gave Copthall Stadium to Saracens Rugby Club, from Enfield.
For some reason it seems Barnet Council do not like football in their remit despite the benefits it brings to the area. And they don’t like Tony K because he gets things done, but might ruffle a few feathers on the way.
Midweek football is always less lucrative, especially when you’re playing a ‘pub team from Essex’, as the Braintree manager Alan Devonshire once described them as.
In regards to entrance fees, £20 is the top price at The Hive but there are other ways to pay less. My season ticket for instance, works out at £7.20 per game by paying £13.80 per month.
And since when has Wealdstone been in Edgware? Another cuckoo fallen out of the nest! I love The NLP and The Football League Paper –but hopefully we’ll be featured in the latter next season.
JOHN FORD, Hertfordshire
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WHAT a treat it was to watch the FA Cup first round draw being conducted in a dignified manner and at a civilised time on Monday evening.
Rather than have to scan the BBC website, we were able to witness the drama for ourselves first-hand.
Furthermore, the 44 Non-League clubs who still retained an interest after the weekend’s matches had over 48 hours to savour their success and dream of their possible opponents.
The likes of AFC Fylde, East Thurrock United and Weston-super-Mare were literally rubbing their hands in anticipation of taking on a Sheffield United, Bristol City or Portsmouth. The draw did not disappoint either.
Concord Rangers, Gosport Borough and Warrington Town – all at this stage for the first time – drew League opposition, while six Non-League sides are guaranteed in the hat for round two.
Well done the the BBC for reverting at last to the traditional Monday draw. The competition has come alive because of it!
ROD CROSS, via email
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WHAT a good time it is to be a Hertford Town fan at the moment.
The Blues have been in fine form with wins over Harefield United, Wembley, Colney Heath and Tring Athletic recently. Long may it continue.
A POWELL, Hertford
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CREDIT must go to both sets of managers, players and supporters for producing a cracking FA Cup fourth qualifying match played between Evesham United and Bromley last week.
Over 800 fans turned up to watch Evesham put up a brave fight against their visitors of two divisions higher, only to go down 2-1.
The Robins, from the commitee downwards, did themselves and the Southern League (S&W) division proud in playing the perfect hosts.
Bromley too deserve full credit for their professionalism and for their sporting comments afterwards. What a great day it was.
L. O’SHAUGHESSY, Pershore, Worcs
