Club Statement: AFC Liverpool (a)

Following discussions with AFC Liverpool ahead of our game next Saturday (9th November), the club can provide the following update:

A request was made to us by AFC Liverpool on 22nd September to move this fixture to the Friday evening (8th) or to an early kick-off (12.30pm) on the originally scheduled date. The reasons given revolved around how a number of their club’s volunteers were due to steward Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Aston Villa that same evening and consequently, AFC Liverpool wouldn’t have sufficient staff to operate the game at the Marine Travel Arena.

An alternative solution offered was for the originally scheduled 3pm kick-off to be maintained, but only 150 supporters would be able to be in attendance, due to limited steward capacity.

After speaking with our manager Dave McNabb, it was not feasible to facilitate either of the alternative times offered due to player work commitments and we replied confirming this.

We were then approached again on the 19th October, and asked to reconsider. Our answer remained the same and this was passed back to AFC Liverpool promptly. We continued to prioritise our squad availability in this decision.

We have been in communications with all stakeholders involved, including the North-West Counties League. The League advised both clubs to try and come to an agreement. If we couldn’t, then both clubs could be potentially charged with failing to fulfil a fixture.

Despite coming up with several options during this process, we have been forced into choosing the option to play the match on Saturday 9th November, 1.00pm kick-off. This is against our better judgement.

The option of playing on the originally scheduled at 3pm, has been removed by the League as they have safety concerns.

We have released this statement to give supporters full context on the decision, which has been made largely with a view to supporting the manager and squad, under these disappointing circumstances.

Further to this, we have notified the League of our intention to appeal this decision. If required, we will then appeal further to the FA. At this point, the club will comment no further.

Details on the arrangements for the game will follow from the start of next week (4th November) and we will bring them to you when available.

The Football Board

View the full article