Concern over fixture list
Date published: 13 January 2011
OLDHAM St Anne’s have written to the National Conference League over the distribution of fixtures.
On numerous occasions this season, the three locals NCL sides — St Anne’s, Waterhead and Saddleworth Rangers — have either been all away or at home on the same day.
The trio of clubs hit the road last weekend and it is an identical situation on Saturday.
Rangers visit East Hull in the Premier Division, St Anne’s go to Stanley Rangers in Division One and Waterhead are away to Rylands Sharks in the first round of the BARLA National Cup.
Barbara Henderson, secretary of St Anne’s, says the impact of the fixture programme, along with the Arctic snap, has cost the clubs much-needed revenue.
She said: “We have complained to the league, because it is not good for the town and its rugby league followers.
“We accept being fixtures’ secretary and trying to keep everybody happy is not an easy task, but it would be beneficial to all clubs in Oldham if the matches were mixed up.
“Along with the likes of Saddleworth Rangers and Waterhead, we do attract floating supporters when one or two of the local National Conference League clubs are at home, but that hasn’t been the case this season.”
