Secretary warns of challenging period ahead for member clubs

SECRETARY of the Fermanagh and Western League Ciara Crawford believes member clubs will face their most challenging season yet over the coming months.

The Lisbellaw United official, who was returned unopposed at Tuesday evening’s AGM, said in her annual report, that clubs would have to adapt to ‘the new normal’ and face challenges brought about by an ever-changing situation and restrictions around the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

On top of that clubs will, in some cases, have to fit more games into a shorter timeframe and the secretary insists that will require greater flexibility and cooperation by all concerned. Crawford said everyone must work together to ensure the safety of players and all associated with clubs and the league.

“It is ironic when looking back at last year’s report to think that when I talked about challenges facing clubs in the following season, I referred to Comet for example thinking that it would be the main problem we would face,” she said.

“Of course no-one could have predicted what was ahead of us and the massive challenges we would face both with football and in every aspect of our daily lives.

“Next season, hoping to commence on Saturday 19th September, will possibly be the toughest season yet for clubs.

“We must adjust to dare I say it, the “new normal”, and we must all work together to ensure the safety of our players and all associated with our clubs and our league.

“We are dealing with an ever-changing situation and it is vital that clubs are flexible and co-operative once again with more fixtures to play in a shorter space of time along with following all Covid protocols outlined by the IFA.”

FULL STORY IN LAST THURSDAY’S ULSTER HERALD