Northern League's opening weekend wiped out

The division one campaign was due to get under way at Stanley Park and Broadwater tomorrow, with Blackpool welcoming Barrow and Fleetwood entertaining Leyland. St Annes were due to travel to Netherfield.

At a meeting on Wednesday night clubs voted 9-3, with one abstention, in favour of rearranging this weekend’s games due to the weather.

In an email to clubs, interim league chairman Chris Lavery said: “As the vast majority of the clubs (9-3 with one sitting on the fence) felt it prudent to postpone this weekend’s matches owing to ground conditions and the forecast, the executive committee have decided to postpone this weekend’s round of matches with them being rearranged on a date to be agreed later in the season.

“The executive were concerned about the real possibility of injury because of ground conditions.

“I know that this decision will not please those clubs who wanted to play but it is felt that the right decision has been made, having regard to all the circumstances.”