Friday Freebie: The last month of the year brings it's own challenges

2024 closing in but plenty of football still to take in

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December brings it’s own challenges for all in the world of non-league football for a variety of reasons. Already today as I write this games are falling foul of frozen pitches having been hit by weeks of rain in October. That it turn increases the amount of games to re-arrange alongside those postponed through cup progress.

Those with a 3G surface are the ones with most to gain, even being able to hire out their pitch if the club are away from home or even adding an extra fixture on a Saturday evening or a Sunday.

Games by league rules at all levels are due to be played within a 30 or 42 day window from the date of the postponed game, I’m not sure exactly the right amount so hopefully someone reading will know the correct answer. That brings it’s own challenges when County Cup competitions take preference over league games and are in full flow this time of year.

Many will not face the issues as they don’t have to contend with games fitted in around cup commitments, however the more successful will feature playing three games a week to catch up. Cray Valley PM have been playing that amount  a week since mid-September due to their extraordinary FA Cup and Trophy runs, that is due to continue until the middle of January such is their backlog.

It’s a strain on all resources, players needing to increase the amount of time off work to travel on Tuesday evenings, management staff as well needing the same, clubs producing more programmes, manning the facilities around the ground and taking more time out of people’s busy lives.

December brings it’s challenges on that score with one week marked off the calendar with games already in place across the Christmas and New Year period.

Horsham are beginning to find themselves in a similar position, ahead of their re-instatement in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon and continued FA Trophy progress next weekend. Granted their 3G surface will mean they won’t face further issues when games are re-arranged if they take place at the Camping World Stadium.

With clubs allowed to take a full week of preparation before FA Cup ties which I think is the right thing to do it does however knock off another midweek slot for a game to played, that I don’t think should change at all.

But, why shouldn’t that amount of days rule be dropped and clubs be allowed to schedule games into a position where it fits in the calendar more sensibly and reduces the burden on everyone involved?

When you glance over Cray Valley’s list for example, there is nothing in the midweek rung for games for February or March. I’m not saying here that games should be overloaded into this period but moving just four games to this period gives them two weeks of three games a week per month and two weeks with a full week off instead of having crammed everything into three months.

That is a risk to player welfare, for guys who are not full time professionals with hours or days of recovery time. There is no squad of 26 players where rotation can occur and clubs not lose momentum, although players will tell you they prefer playing to training those with niggles and knocks get very little chance to rest up and some of that will affect what they do in everyday life.

The last but definitely not very least is us, the supporters. This month is full of decisions on where to spend your November pay packet. Presents, the big day itself, time away, Xmas parties, and of course social occasions such as going to games.

Add in some extra games either home or away and for some it’s a very hard choice to balance things up across the 31 days. Attendances can suffer, clubs feel the pinch as well as there are many who budget from month to month for their football fix and if they have to pick and choose a lot more there are more losers than winners.

Whilst the top level of the game keep trying to ruin their product on the pitch, there are times when non-league needs to have a little look at some of their rules and procedures off it, a small tweak here and there can be a massive help.

What do you think? Are you one of those people who cut down on games in December or budget carefully throughout the season? Let me know in the comments below.