Johnson: Sunday league is alive and kicking
THE Peterborough Sunday Morning Football League is alive and kicking according to chairman Fred Johnson.
THE Peterborough Sunday Morning Football League is alive and kicking according to chairman Fred Johnson.Johnson has mounted a defiant defence following suggestions made by outgoing Racing 252 boss Scott Stainsby that the standard of the league has been falling every season in recent years.
Stainsby (below) led Racing to the Premier Division title and the Hereward Cup last season but has since folded the team due to the constant pressures of management.
And according to the highly-decorated manager the loss of last season's top flight champions is another nail in the coffin of the Sunday morning game in the city.
But according to Johnson nothing could be further from the truth. "We get these comments every year and while there is no doubt the league will miss the quality of players that Racing had I am sure we will cope," said Johnson.
"Teams go every season but while we have lost five this time round, they have been replaced by seven other sides who I am sure will come in and contribute a great deal to Sunday morning football.
"I think last season was very competitive and I am sure this season will be the same. The teams which have gone up to the Premier Division should all be competitive and that will be the case for all the other divisions too."
But despite Johnson's conviction, not everyone is convinced.
SSPIO boss Stephen Starkey is looking forward to top flight football next season after guiding his side to the Premier Division as champions of the league below.
And while Starkey is determined his side will rise to the challenge, he feels more could be done to make all levels of the Sunday game more competitive.
He said: "For a start I would like to see just three divisions instead of the four we have at the moment. For me that would make the whole thing more of a challenge and would mean there would be more than just nine teams in the 'Prem' for a start.
"That would make the top division more attractive to the top Saturday players who at the moment seem happy to play for Sunday teams in lower leagues for a bit of fun.
"I know it is a tough job to keep everyone happy and I certainly do not have all the answers but if something is not done soon to make all the whole thing more competitive and interesting then Sunday morning football could die a death and I for one will not hang around to see that happen."
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Weather for Peterborough
Tuesday 16 March 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 2 C - 8 C
Wind Speed: 14 Knots
Wind direction: North west
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Temperature: 2 C - 10 C
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