No to summer football switch

FOOTBALL: THE Midas Plumbing and Heating Oldham Sunday League has turned down proposals by the Eccles Sunday League for a move to summer football.

Oldham Sunday League fixtures secretary and treasurer Keith Dennis said: “I would think it’s a no-go because we wouldn’t be able to get the pitches; they just wouldn’t be available at that time of year.

“The only change I can think of in the near future could be the changing of kick-off times, because of live televised football.

“We have lost lots and lots of matches over the years because some players have chosen to watch top matches on TV over playing.”

The Eccles Sunday League received a proposal from five of its clubs for the season to begin in March and finish in November - the main idea being that bad weather means bad pitches and a move to summer would increase participation and produce more talented players.