L&C league chiefs aiming to get back on track post-Covid

The Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League is one of the biggest Saturday afternoon truly amateur open age soccer leagues in the region, and like most other sports organisations, has seen its clubs suffer during Covid.

With most of the restrictions now ended, the league is looking to get back on track to its former standards and ambitions.

League chairman Mike Yates said: “The league is now in its 114th season and the committee see this season as one of trying to rebuild the standards we had pre-Covid that have lapsed due to the circumstances we were in.

“A lot of players have got used to not playing every week, maybe using Covid as an excuse not to play.

“A lot of changing facilities and pitches have also seen standards drop as players were asked to change outside and councils have left facilities in disrepair due to this.

"Costs for hiring have increased, schools seeing this as an opportunity to cash in, due to a lack of decent council provision.

“Now to football and firstly congratulations to Moston Brook who represented the league and beat the LAL champions Little Lever 4-2 to win a nice new cup which will be contested for annually.

“The Premier Division is looking to be very interesting currently too.

"Shaw Athletic are the current leaders but have played more games than Moston Brook, North Walkden and Hattersley while Salford Vics and Irlam Steel are still in contention with games in hand.

“In division one, Sale Ams and High Lane are the top two, but looking dangerous are Chadderton Park who are undefeated and have plenty of games in hand and Village Manchester are also in the frame.

“Moston Brook reserves have not dropped a point in division two and waiting for them to slip up are Trafford United and Kartel.

“Dukinfield Athletic have a comfortable lead in division three from local rivals Staly Lions and Santos and in division A it looks like a two-horse race between Milltown and Hillgate who are well clear of the chasing pack.

“Finally in division B, Signol Athletic lead from Mellor thirds and Broadheath.”

Fixtures secretary Malc Kershaw added: “In early January we will make the draw for the internal cup competitions Rhodes Cup, Wray Cup and Whitehead Cup and get them played in February and March, with the Rhodes Cup final for teams in the Premier and division one being held at Hyde United on May 4.

“For those who do not have cup matches I will try to fit in league games and if needed midweek games can be played in April hoping to finish on April 29, though if we have poor weather it could be extended to May 6.

“It is pleasing to see good numbers of our teams doing well in outside cup competitions as well as the New North West Cup between teams in the L and C and the LAL.

“Here’s hoping for a mild winter ahead and plenty of success in the various cup competitions.”

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