Peterborough Sports boss hits out at ‘scandalous’ decision by the Southern League

Mark Jones celebrates a Peterborough Sports goal against Gainsborough Trinity. Photo: James Richardson.

Dean was furious his side were denied the chance to follow an outstanding performance to beat Gainsborough Trinity in the FA Trophy last weekend by toppling Premier Division Central leaders Needham Market at the Bee Arena tonight (November 3).

Sports were keen to fulfil the fixture, but Needham Market took up the option of a postponement.

Dean was keen to point out he attached no blame to Needham Market. His anger was directed at the league.

Dean said: “I’ll put it out there now. I would have acted in the interests of my own club as soon as the league gave clubs the option to call a game off.

“Teams with injuries or out of form were always going to take advantage of that offer.

“I don’t know what Needham’s circumstances were, but I don’t blame them at all if calling the game off was in their best interests. I know their manager, Kevin Horlock, and he is a good guy.

“We wanted to play. We are flying. We look like ourselves again after a tricky start to the season. For the league to then take a game away from us when we probably won’t play again for another two months is scandalous.

“If you don’t want to show leadership then don’t get in a position where you have to lead.

“We are now in the situation of wasting money on alcohol and food for tonight’s game and players, staff and fans have been messed about with childcare and other arrangements they would have made.

“The whole situation since the first lockdown earlier in the year has been badly handled. Last season should have been allowed to finish as soon as we were allowed to play again. There were teams who deserved rewards for a good season and those that hadn’t done so well didn’t deserve to survive in the way they did.

“If we had re-started last season at the time this season started we would have finished it by now.

“That’s not me talking in hindsight as I said exactly the same at the time.

“We could then have started the 2020-21 season from January and organised it to finish in whatever time frame was available.

“This lockdown is only a month, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it lasted for longer.

“It’s just a complete mess and very frustrating.”

Sports beat Gainsborough Trinity 4-2 in the FA Trophy on Saturday and have been drawn away to Rushden & Diamonds in the first round proper on a date to be arranged.

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