Basford promise full supporter refund

Basford United have agreed to issue a full refund to fans who watched the Northern Premier League club’s 8-3 home defeat to Hyde United on Saturday.
The defeat was one of Basford’s worst defeats in recent history and led to Martin Carruthers’ side slipping further behind the play-off positions.
In the statement the club admit that a request to postpone the fixture should have been lodged due to a mounting injury crisis.
Sunday’s statement read, “The Chairman has issued an apology on behalf of the club for yesterdays performance v Hyde. Hyde were superb and totally dismantled us, but from a Basford supporters perspective you will know our high standards this season.
“The facts of yesterday that have come to light is on top of the club missing 7 established 1st team players for various reasons, in addition no fewer than 5 players reported in Sat am with the remnants of the flu bug but were advised they needed to play due to the stretched nature of the squad.
“Whilst not exonerating the level of performance it does partially explain a lack lustre & fatigued performance in many quarters. In hindsight the club should have requested a late fixture cancellation due to unprecedented circumstances & failing this request put out Academy Players to fill the absentees.
“Basford United have not lost a game by a score line like this for over 50 years it was a clearly a score-line not representative of the current campaign & all Officials/Mgt & players have been deeply upset by this.
“The club is committed to its targets for this season and whislt we have an increible difficult home game Sat v Title favourites South Shields, then we as a collective will do everything in our power to get back on track over the next few weeks, when a normality of fitness & availability will return.
“As our Chairman advised the club will refund all who attended Sat turning up for South Shields. Season Ticket holders have the option as advised to either claim a free meal or advise Turnstile the club donate that applicable money to Chairty. Any Non season ticket Paying Spectators who our turnstile operatives can verify will again have the option of the free entry or likewise if you prefer to pay & the club donate your amount to charity we will do either”.