I thought it only correct that I should enlighten our supporters as to the issues concerning our Boxing Day and Easter Monday fixtures. I am sure you are all aware that over the past two years we have played Halesowen Town FC on these dates. It has bought a fantastic spectacle to Non-League football in the local Black Country Area and has shown how well supported both clubs are, with crowds in the region of 2,000. It also brings a huge financial benefit to both clubs and, based on all of the above, I have approached the League and requested them to explain the change in fixtures for the forthcoming season.

I have received the following in reply:

A full explanation has been provided to both member clubs in relation to the two fixtures.

First of all, it must be emphasised that it is never possible to meet all of the individual club requests due to the overall compilation of the fixtures, taking in to account start dates (H or A) etc.

I refer to your respective enquiries regarding the expected pairing of Halesowen Town and Stourbridge to play at Halesowen on Boxing Day with the reverse fixture on Easter Monday. The personnel involved have now reviewed the information and advise as follows: -

Halesowen Town requested to be at Home to Hednesford Town on August Bank Holiday, which meant they would be Away on New Years Day. And, as the same specific request had also been made by Hednesford, this pairing was therefore applied. In addition to the above, another club also specified they had agreed the same dates as above with Halesowen, although this was never confirmed by Halesowen.

Stourbridge requested they must be Away on 13th August due to cricket, which meant they too had to be at Home on August Bank Holiday and Away on New Years Day.

By specifying the 13th August start date both Halesowen and Stourbridge were on the same fixture sequencing which meant they both had to be at Home on Boxing Day and Away on Easter Monday.

Having checked back for the last 2 years at Halesowen and Stourbridge fixtures for the opening day of the season, there has been one club at Home and the other Away. Next season, if you wish to have the Boxing Day fixture (and reversed fixture on Easter Monday) you must agree to this format and if you include special requests for opening day preferences, then the sequencing of fixtures must be taken into account by both clubs.

We are sorry we are able to assist you in this particular instance but trust you have found all of the other arrangements to your satisfaction.

I hope this explains the situation

The Northern Premier League

As you can all see it is plain and simple and whilst I am sure people can suggest change this and change that, the League have another 66 clubs to deal with as well and I am sure they are not going to start moving fixtures now.

I must say we have learned the hard way this season and will know what to do next time.

What does really frustrate me is that in November 2015 I spoke the Birmingham and District Premier League to discuss fixtures for this season, as I have done over the past two years. The Cricket Club’s fixtures come out in December, so we have to organise what games Stourbridge Cricket Club play based on our anticipated football fixtures in the following August and September

We knew in December last year we would need to be away again in our first match of the season, like we had been the previous season, so that we can work in conjunction with the Birmingham and District League.

I hope that the above information explains where we are at and what lies ahead of us.

It would be a great achievement if we can still keep our average gate around the 600 mark for the new season, your support is very much appreciated by everyone at Stourbridge Football Club keep it going and we look forward to seeing you in August!

Come on The Glassboys!

Andy