Lilywhites count cost of freeze

Non-league FOOTBALL: THREE postponed home matches in a row and a month-long absence from action at Seel Park has cost Evo-Stik League Division One side Mossley thousands of pounds in lost revenue.

The cold snap has prevented the Lilywhites from hosting a game since the 6-0 win over Trafford on November 23.

Shaun Higgins’ men have turned out just 14 times all season in the league. Only neighbours Curzon Ashton have played fewer matches this term.

Mossley club secretary Harry Hulmes said: “It is a struggle at the moment because we have no money coming in. The weather is even stopping a lot of people getting to the social club.

“The business is set up to operate on a monthly basis, so at the moment we have bills to pay, but nothing coming in.

“We have lost thousands of pounds as a result of the three postponed matches at Seel Park. That would hit any club hard. It is definitely time to tighten the belt.”

“We desperately need to play a home game.”

Mossley are due to welcome Curzon on Monday (3pm kick-off), but if the playing surface is not up to scratch, they will try again two days later, with a 7.45pm start pencilled in.

Hulmes added: “Our chances of playing on Monday look grim at the moment, but you cannot say for sure because we could have a thaw in the next couple of days.

“If it is close to being ready but not quite there, we will leave it until Wednesday, which gives us a second bite at the cherry.”

A combination of Mossley’s early-season cup exploits and the winter white-out means Higgins and his players face a huge fixture backlog.

They will have little choice but to play three times most weeks.

“If we are playing Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday it will hit us financially, because we cannot expect people to pay to watch us that often in such a short space of time,” said Hulmes.

“Even now we should be playing twice a week, but obviously it has not been possible.

“The cup runs contributed to the backlog, but on the other hand they brought in much-needed income.”

Weather permitting, the Lilywhites travel to nearby Woodley Sports, they play on a 3G pitch, on New Year’s Day (3pm).

For the second year running, there has been precious little Christmas cheer at Mossley.

Two floodlight pylons collapsed at Seel Park during the last festive period.

The remaining six pylons were deemed unsafe and were condemned.