AFC Emley manager Darren Hepworth believes clubs, including his own, who are affected by cricket should be forced to play at home on a Friday or Sunday in the first month of the season.
Emley have yet to play a Saturday league game and they are without a weekend fixture for the third week running tomorrow. Their first Saturday home game is on October 8th. Because of the volume of clubs who share their facilities with cricket is more than normal, the Division One schedule was difficult to produce. But Hepworth believes a solution needs to be found.
Hepworth told Non League Yorkshire:“ It feels like we are in a midweek league and it is so difficult not having a game on a Saturday.
“ It is something we are going to have to fix, certainly for next season. I know it is not helped here because of the cricket which takes priority, but surely we can play either away or on a Friday or Sunday.”
“ We have got to work around it. Granted one we were due to play Brigg until they got through in the FA Cup on one of the three Saturdays, but it is making it hard for the team and the club.” down and if Saturday afternoons aren’ t an option then they should insist that clubs play on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon.”
Hepworth also admitted that he has been shocked by the number of manager departures in the past two weeks.
It has been like the night of the long knifes, without any sackings, as Karl Rose( Frickley Athletic), Brian Johnston( Armthorpe Welfare), Lee Ashforth( Harrogate Railway) and Graham Nicholas( Nostell Miners Welfare) have all quit their posts.
“ There is so much that comes down from the top of the game to grassroots like the boots players wear, the behaviour that you see and I think the high expectation levels come down too,” Hepworth said.
“ The expectation at grassroots level to win things is in some cases unrealistic. Managers at this level literally do work seven days a week, when it is meant to be a hobby.”
“ There is so much pressure put on managers and coaches and it doesn’ t surprise me that we have seen managers walking away. The level of stress that goes with the job is probably
Darren Hepworth more than it is for a day-job.
“ We have been training on a Saturday, but everyone“... frustrated“ I have a lot of friends in the
wants...” game and it is tough to see some of them not getting to play. We’ ve all been at work recognition for it or seeing them all week and we want to play. forced to walk away.”“ I do have a lot of sympathy for the league because of the volume of clubs affected by cricket. But I think the league and secretaries need to sit