Tonbridge Angels' Longmead ground during last winter's snow

The deep freeze last weekend has prompted a call from some non-league managers for a change to be made on how games are postponed.

Sub-zero temperatures froze pitches across the county, with just Phoenix’s clash with Ashford United in the Kent Invicta League going ahead.

But while Gillingham were able to call off their meeting with Hereford United at Priestfield in League Two on Friday, under Football Association regulations the non-league clubs had to wait until Saturday for confirmation.

Ebbsfleet United manager Liam Daish fumed after their FA Trophy tie at York City was only scrapped at 12.30pm, but even clubs facing far shorter journeys are keen for a change.

Tonbridge Angels manager Tommy Warrilow wants to be given the freedom for calls to be made much earlier.

He said: “I’m just a little frustrated we don’t seem to learn from anything. If it’s not going to get any better I would rather call the game off the day before.

“I just think it’s unprofessional for non-league football – pro clubs call a game off a day early and they’ve got groundsmen, but we wait.”

Managers say they would be able to use the extra time productively.

Simon Halsey, manager at Herne Bay, said: “I think everyone knew last Friday the games weren’t going to be on, but we had to wait until the Saturday. I think it’s definitely something which needs to be looked at.

“It would help everyone out. We would have extra time to organise indoor training or send players to have a run-out with the reserves if their game is on.”

But a change is not universally backed. Denise Richmond, chairman at the Kent League, does not believe the system needs looking at and pointed out that in extreme weather games could be postponed before the day of the game.

She said: “I don’t see there’s much of an issue. Phoenix got their game on, but VCD Athletic down the road were off, so you can’t always tell.

“Games can also be called off earlier in exceptional circumstances, like last winter, when common sense usually prevails.”

Photo by NICK DUNGAN