Dave Parker

BRIGHOUSE TOWN officials are to vote in a survey for the current 2020-21 Pitching-In NPL North West Division season to be declared null and void as per last season.The majority of their contemporaries across Steps 3 and 4 the length and breadth of the country appear to feel the same way.

The completed surveys will then see the managements of the NPL, Isthmian and Southern Leagues-known now as the Trident Leagues-work through the replies they have received.

The NPL chairman Mark Harris has outlined every scenario for his members after stating that it is unlikely right now with the covid restrictions for non-elite footballers-a term he does not like-that fixtures would not recommence until early March and then the players would want two weeks to get back somewhere near match fitness. This, he adds, with the amount of outstanding fixtures and the season ending on May 31 would see the players playing three games a week. He further adds they could not take the season into June with pitch maintenance, long overdue holidays for volunteer staff, players and management and then a recall in July for pre-season with the FA Cup rounds to commence to keep them on schedule for when the televised ties come on stream.

The Trident Leagues have postponed all fixtures up to and including Saturday, March 6. What happens after that will be entirely influenced by the clubs’ views. All of whom say they cannot continue without paying spectators and under a Tier 2 or Tier 1 open their gates for the extra revenue from the bars and food hatches.

In the meantime Town have seen promising goalkeeper Jacob Carney return to parent club Manchester United who are keen to see him continue with a club.

Carney, after a nervy start at Kendal Town on Saturday, October 17 in the Buildbase FA Trophy, went on to show why the Premier Division club have given him an extended contract.

Bill Emmerson, secretary of Northern Ireland Premiership club Portadown, confirmed yesterday morning that his manager was in talks with both United and the player with a view to him joining them for the rest of the season.

Halifax-based left fullback Reece Kendall, who left Town in the past close season for NPL Premier Division club Matlock Town, has joined National League North Guiseley on loan for the rest of the season. Guiseley are currently one place above the drop zone after 14 games and facing two games a week from now in barring any postponements along the way.

BRIGHOUSE TOWN Women’s manager and director of football Colin Tomkins, along with other club officials across the country, has reacted strongly to a suggestion from the Women’s FA Cup committee at Wembley to the possibility of deciding who goes through the second round and the third round of the cup by the toss of a coin.

Tomkins, still hopeful of entertaining Newcastle United Women in round two, commented: “Yes, we have heard and seen a suggestion the FA ( Kelly Simmons) are considering this idea. “It was all over Twitter at the weekend and the pundits of BBC’s Football Focus on Saturday lunchtime referred to it. I can tell you, people are not happy about it. It’s a bit demeaning and a joke, if you ask me.”

All competing clubs are in the same Tier 4 and so there is no crossover as was the case when the draw was made. There is talk of clubs asking for grant aid to stage the ties behind closed doors as is the case with the men’s FA Cup. This, they feel, would allow the competition to progress and towards the televised stages of the competition without controversy and obvious bitter disappointment if a ball wasn’t kicked.