Town manager ‘fuming’ about FA support for non-league football

MELKSHAM Town FC’s manager, Richard Fey, has blasted the support from the FA for non-league football.

The manager has criticised the lack of information from the FA about when non-league football can restart, and has warned that players and the managing team could face burnout if they are forced to play what remains of the 2020/21 season in the new year.

Scrapping the league as it stands and splitting the Southern League Division One into two smaller leagues, is one idea that has been put forward by the manager to help bring back competitive football in a “safe” and “manageable” format in the new year.

“The way non-league football clubs have been treated by the FA is awful,” said Richard speaking to Melksham News, “it’s embarrassing and I’m fuming. There’s no date for when the season will start again, and there are rumours that we might have to play 32 games in 18 weeks, which is just ridiculous for players’ health and wellbeing.

“I feel for the Southern League – they are doing everything they can to get us back playing football – but they are getting no help from the FA. 

“The FA, and this is my personal opinion, is only interested in the top tiers, they are not interested in non-league football. We can’t get any answers from them – and I don’t think they know.

“As I manager, I want to manage a team and get results – but this season has been a write-off already for us! I’ve spoken to many managers, and they feel the same. We have only played six games this season – we still have 32 to play by 8th May. And if we start back on the 2nd or 4th January, that means we need to get some training sessions into the lads – but Christmas and New Year are coming up! So no training puts the players at risk of soft-tissue injuries.

“The players are frustrated as much as I am. I know that there are much more serious things going on in the world to be worried about than non-league football, but it feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel for us. The boys just want to play football, they just want a date to come back.”

The manager has also highlighted the other commitments he and his players have, and how they might impact the club next year.

“There’s no sympathy or understanding from the FA – we all have full time jobs,” said Richard. “32 games in 18 weeks is two games a week, and not all the players can do that!

“And if they extend the season instead, that will clash with players’ holidays and could clash with the  Euros – and no football is meant to be played when the Euros is on.

“What I think needs to happen is to split the league into two – two leagues of 10, we play each other twice. That’s 18 games in 18 Saturdays – let’s try and get competitive football back on the pitch. And if not that, scrap the season – but that could force a number of clubs to go under.”

The manager has also criticised tier restrictions, which have impacted the club’s opening its bar.

Richard said, “Football clubs need supporters in the bar, spending money, buying drinks to keep the club afloat. At the moment we can’t open our bar unless supporters buy a substantial meal – which we can do – but the next problem is that households can’t mix. It’s not viable.

“Until this is scrapped for another safe way to open the bar, then I can’t see any league football being played in the near future.”

Whilst the club waits for news about when league football will restart, manager Fey has organised friendly matches to help get the players back in action.

On Saturday 12th December, Town played at home against Calne Town, winning 2-0 with goals from Jake Mawford and Phil Ormrod.

“It was the first time we have played in eight weeks due to Covid and the lockdown,” said Richard, “I hadn’t seen the lads for two months. And we have only trained once in that time, which was last Wednesday (9th December).

“We had six new faces join us since the last game against Thatcham in October – due to people leaving and new people joining us like Jake Mawford, Archie Matthews in goal, and Ethan Hill a left back from Chippenham.

“And it was a chance for the lads to get 90 minutes under their belt in preparation for whenever the season starts again. It was a really good performance, we kept a clean sheet – and we should have scored more. But it wasn’t about the result – it was about getting the lads moving and kicking a ball again.”

Town’s next friendly is this Saturday 19th December, playing at home to Yate Town from the Southern League premier division. Kick-off is at 3pm.

 The match is open for spectators. “Please come and support us, and bring in some much-needed revenue for the club on the gate,” said Richard.