ATHERTON LR suffered yet another postponement on Saturday when their match at Flixton was called off, one of only three postponements in the Division.

LR have not played a match since their Marsden Trophy defeat by Ramsbottom back on January 8. The nearest they came was at Glossop when everyone travelled to the Derbyshire sides Surrey Street ground, only for the match to be called off just before 2pm.

The Crilly Park pitch has suffered from the weather this season because much needed maintainance couldn't be carried out last summer. However, with money now available after the crippling bank debt was paid off, the club intends removing the pitch this summer, fitting new drains and laying a new pitch in time for next season.

Despite their being no match on Saturday, club members were still in a celebratory mood. With the £60,000 bank debt having been cleared and the whole future of the club now assured, a party was held to toast a new beginning for the club and not surprisingly, celebrations went on into the early hours.

This Saturday LR take on Maine Road at Crilly Park, weather permitting.