BROMSGROVE Rovers AFC could be forced to play four games a week to clear their growing fixture back-log following the latest postponement, writes Neil Gordon.
Chairman Kristian Rock spoke after Rovers saw their fixture against Kawala on Saturday, January 31, postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Eldorado Close.
Saturday’s game was a rescheduled second-round Holder Cup tie. Storm Goretti postponed the original fixture last month.
And more bad news followed, when home advantage for the tie passed to Kawala, in line with competition rules, as Bromsgrove had failed to host the fixture within the allotted two dates.
Bromsgrove have now seen five home fixtures postponed in the space of six weeks. Rovers have played only twice since November.
The postponements have also impacted the club’s Birmingham and District Football League Division One campaign.
The team has only played four Division One fixtures and sit bottom of the table with as many as six games in hand.
As it stands, Bromsgrove need to complete 16 league games, and at least two cup ties, by the first Saturday in May, with midweek fixtures expected to take place.
Rovers are hoping to return to action this week when they play FC Stratford at Eldorado Close, with a draw good enough to move them up the table.
Chairman Rock said: “It’s inevitable we’ll have to play midweek games to complete all of our fixtures, and, probably, we’ll end up playing Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to clear the back-log.
“This scenario isn’t good for anyone, and it will be a big demand on our players and their commitments.”
And Bromsgrove have ruled out switching home venues in order to stage fixtures, as the club has already paid for the use of its Eldorado Close pitch.
Rock added: “The League allows member clubs to switch venues, but we’ve already paid for the facilities, and we would be paying twice if we switched to another pitch.”
A Birmingham and District Football League spokesperson said: “Our fixtures need to be completed by the first Saturday in May. “However, we are aware of postponements resulting from bad weather and we’ll review the situation with a view to possibly extending the season.”
Bromsgrove play FC Stratford at Eldorado Close on Saturday, February 7. Kick-off is 2.30pm and admission free.
