WHATS THE BACUP PLAN?
“In the Highland League, Clachnacuddin have played 20 games so far, but Fort William only 14,” writes Ken Colgan. “Is this the most games in hand a team has ever had?” In a word, Ken, no, as John Cooke is quick to point out. “When my team, Chippenham Town, played away at Merthyr Tydfil on January 27 2007 in the Southern League Premier Division, we had played 26 games and Merthyr only 19.” However, that’s nothing compared to the goings on in the North West Counties League Division One, where one team have a whopping 12 games in hand. Second-placed FC United of Manchester lie one point behind leaders Salford City with six games in hand, but Bacup Borough have played just 20 games compared to Salford’s 32. “In December we had several away games called off due to Cup replays; in January the stormy weather up here meant we couldn’t play any midweek games – and now we have a problem with frost,” said Bacup boss Brent Peters when we tracked him down. “The groundsman hasn’t been able to get on
