SUMMER soccer and amateur rugby league is now almost a certainty following weeks of bad weather and blanket postponements.

Wigan Council Leisure Department has extened the season on their pitches to June 3 to help ease the backlog of fixtures.

But in a letter to all secretaries of local soccer and rugby league teams who use council pitches, Leisure bosses are asking leagues to consider reducing the number of teams in each division and the number of cup competitions they play. They are also asking for as many midweek matches as possible be played early in the season.

In addition to the normal arrangements, the Council is to open its pitches on extra days over Christmas and New Year.

Pitches for junior league matches without changing rooms can be used on Wednesday, December 27, Thursday 28th and Friday 29th, provided that fixtures are supplied to the Leisure Department by Thursday, December 21. Decisions on pitch fitness will be left to the referee.

Council pitches with changing rooms will be open on Saturday, December 30 and Sunday, December 31 (am kick off only on 31st). Fixtures must be supplied to Leisure Department by Thursday, December 28.

Normal closure arrangements will apply with the decision being made at 9am on Friday and posted on the ansaphone 01942-828828.