| League is becoming a laughing stock |
| Sunday 21 February 2010 |
 FORMER Newtown and Llansantffraid manager and TNS and Technogroup Welshpool general manager Graham Breeze says the organisation of the Welsh Premier League is becoming a laughing stock. Breeze spoke to welsh-premier.com after hearing that the Bala v Llanelli game had been cancelled today. "I have been observing from a distance the recent shambolic goings on and this week has really brought the comedy show to the fore," he said. "The Welsh Premier League is making unbelievable and unwanted demands on semi-professional clubs yet its own behaviour has become farcical and completely unprofessional. "This month has been a classic. Firstly the league announced that the Welshpool v The New Saints and Carmarthen v Rhyl games on Easter Monday were cancelled so that Rhyl and The New Saints could play the Loosemores League Cup Final at Airbus. "Apparently there was absolutely no communication between the league and the affected clubs and no thought whatsoever to the impact these rearrangements would have on the hosts clubs Carmarthen and Welshpool. "Both clubs lost these fixtures on Boxing Day due to the weather and these were the rearranged dates for the most lucrative games of the season for both clubs. "Has anyone who has a hand in these ludicrous decisions ever had any involvement in the running of a football club and more importantly have they any idea how difficult it is for clubs to continue competing at Welsh Premier level in the current economic climate? "The answer to both questions is 'probably not.' "Then came the incredible announcement that the cup final could not go ahead on Easter Monday because the sponsors could not attend. "Did anyone at the luxurious Cardiff offices even think to ask the sponsors before rushing through the decision in such a thoughtless manner. "The answer is 'probably not' - yet again. "Now Rhyl are quite rightly telling the league officials where to get off as they are asked to play the match after the season was scheduled to end when players are out of contract. "Imagine the insurance ramifications of a player seriously injured. "These are the same people who turned down clubs' requests to extend the season just a few weeks ago. "Today those same officials have bowed to pressure from the 'big boys' from South Wales to call off the game at Bala because of the weather conditions. "Would the league have agreed had clubs such as Bala or Cefn Druids made that request, we all know the answer, 'probably not' - yet again. "Does anyone down there in the capital city understand how hard Bala worked to ensure this match was playable and does anyone there give a damn how much their decision has cost Bala, the answer is 'probably not' - yet again. "I was general manager at Technogroup Welshpool last season when the league switched the Easter Monday fixture at late notice, costing the club in excess of £2,000. We asked for compensation and although the matter went before the league's board we never received so much as a phone call in response. "The Welsh Premier League is now imposing a 12-team league on clubs. Very few clubs actually want a reduced league but they have been steam rollered into signing up. "Everyone you speak to at clubs across Wales believe the league is in danger of imploding. Clubs are living beyond their means and believe me the grim reaper is at the door. "500+ seater stadiums are being demanded at grounds where attendances are at an all-time low. I've been to games this season where clubs report gates of 100 to 150 when a quick count revealed the real figure was 70 to 80. "Perhaps the players and officials are being counted - Who's kidding who? "February is nearly over but personally I can't wait for the curtain to raise on March and yet more comic activity from the guardians of our lovely game." |