Tel Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Because of fixture congestion caused by waterlogged pitches in the Ryman League Premier Division after the floods of autumn and winter 2000 and runs in the Essex Senior Cup and FA Trophy, Canvey Island were left playing nine games over the last 12 days of the season. It began with a Wednesday night game at Hampton which was abandoned after 33 minutes, three minutes after the cut-off point for full refunds for spectators, then they were due to play Enfield at Meadowpark on the Thursday but were sent home because the pitch was unplayable. Instead they played the rearranged game on the Friday (even though the results list puts it on the fixture's original date), travelled to Croydon to play on Saturday and went to Basingstoke Town on the Sunday. They then had Monday off before playing their last five matches on successive days. The congestion was a result of the rain and a vote taken by Ryman League clubs not to extend the season beyond 5 May 2001 because players' contracts in the league were due to expire the following day. Because of that rule, Hornchurch had to play two games on the same day to catch up, opting to field two different sides. Mick Bodley, who had a 17-year career in the Football League with Northampton, Barnet, Gillingham, Southend, Birmingham and Peterborough, was not exactly enjoying the last fortnight of his first season with Canvey Island. Combining centre-half duties with his day job as a postman, he had to get up early for work each day having returned home from away trips long after midnight. "I had to laugh when I heard Gérard Houllier moaning about Liverpool's number of games," he said. "He should try playing eight games in nine days – and go out on the post every morning. I'm up at 4.30am, home at lunchtime, couple of hours kip, out to football, back at midnight. And then I'll go and do it all again." Because of that rule, Hornchurch had to play two games on the same day to catch up, opting to field two different sides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPCTFC Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 And yet, this season, all the Ryman 1S clubs have already played 40, 41 or 42 league games. There have been weeks where the CCL has been decimated but Ryman 1S has been barely affected by the weather. How does that work as we're in the same area? Is it that, as soon as you get to step 4, you get better refs who are allocated by the FA and aren't scared of a bit of water? Or is there some sort of miracle going on that a pitch that suffered loads of postponements at step 5 all of a sudden knows it's at step 4 so decides, by itself, to dry out quicker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krooner Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 And yet, this season, all the Ryman 1S clubs have already played 40, 41 or 42 league games. There have been weeks where the CCL has been decimated but Ryman 1S has been barely affected by the weather. How does that work as we're in the same area? Is it that, as soon as you get to step 4, you get better refs who are allocated by the FA and aren't scared of a bit of water? Or is there some sort of miracle going on that a pitch that suffered loads of postponements at step 5 all of a sudden knows it's at step 4 so decides, by itself, to dry out quicker? Or is it they spend money on keeping their pitches playable or they have enough volunteers to work on the pitch or do they have covers they can put on or better drainage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Hamnett AKA TSF Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 More volunteers or even paid I think but I suspect they have mainly recovered from the ridiculous financial burden of getting 50-100 seater stands and 12-24 seater boardrooms, with dual turnstiles and ladies loos etc so the clubs can now have a look at the bloody dance floor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_W Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 I was at every game on that canvey run-in. I think we actually had 1 day off in 14 as another game was called off just before kickoff. That was a puddle by the corner flag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_W Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 You can see the fixtures at http://canveyfc.com/2000/fixtures.htm Which was the canvey site we mothballed in 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tel Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 Just been out, water seems to be today's word. Might cause postponements tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big J R Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 I'm sure this has to be one of the wettest football seasons on record ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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