We received notification yesterday afternoon from the office of The National League, that following a request from Maidenhead Football Club, our game with them is to be postponed because they play Port Vale on Thursday evening with it also being televised live by BT Sport.
If Maidenhead had contacted us as soon as the announcement was made by BT Sport, it would have given more time for consideration of the options. They waited until last Friday and we politely refused. On Saturday morning they then went direct to The National League, who, without any contact with ourselves, agreed to Maidenhead’s request for a postponement. A league representative telephoned Club Secretary, Peter Martin, to advise us of their decision yesterday.
Despite our immediate appeal to the newly appointed Chief Executive of the National League, their decision is final.
We at Dartford Football Club are appalled by the league’s decision, which leaves us without a fixture for another weekend. It also means players, management, directors and fans, having to make arrangements to take extra time ofF work on the afternoon of the re-arranged date. We will undoubtedly be supported by far fewer fans than would have been at this Saturdays game.
A request was also made by us to switch to the Sunday but with tenants, Hayes and Yeading at home to Truro City, that would have involved ‘inconveniencing’ two other clubs in the process, which the league were not prepared to do.
We have also been made aware this morning, that Port Vale have had their request to postpone their home game with Chesterfield on Saturday declined!
A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.