As many of you will know we have had great difficulties as a Football Club trying our very best to find an amicable solution to the extreme problems caused by the unfortunate postponement of our FA Vase game last Saturday at Morpeth.
Prior to the game we had agreed that, should the scores be level after 90 minutes and a subsequent 15 minutes each way period of extra time, the replay would have taken place in Mid Cheshire this evening.
On Saturday our Football Secretary spent a considerable amount of time trying to make arrangements with Morpeth for the game to be played on a suitable alternative date. Discussions took place with her counterpart at Morpeth Town FC and he agreed to put our suggestion/proposal for the game to be rescheduled for Saturday 28th November to his committee. Unfortunately we were later advised that the Morpeth Town committee had made a democratic decision NOT to agree to play the game this Saturday.
Obviously this came as a big disappointment to 1874 especially because whilst we could play the game next Saturday we have been unable to raise a team to play the game tomorrow. All of our players have full time jobs and getting time off, especially at short notice, has proved difficult and in fact only six of our available playing squad would be able to travel to this game tomorrow.
Our secretary has been in regular contact with the FA and our Chairman Paul Stockton has e-mailed and spoken with an FA representative but alas they are not prepared to change things
Therefore, and most regrettably, we have to advise that we are unable to fulfil this important fixture and therefore in all probability our opponents will receive a “walkover” into the next round.
We would sincerely apologise to all 1874 our supporters for this most unfortunate outcome as losing any game without competing on the field is not what it is all about.
We hope that everyone will also understand why it has not been possible to keep you advised of developments as they have been ongoing for the last 48 hours.
We would hope to see many of you at our AGM later this week when no doubt any of your lingering questions about this most unfortunate situation may be addressed
The Football Committee