ATHERTON Colls chairman Steve Payne believes that North West Counties League officials could do more to help member clubs.

"The latest thing is to get us all to move our midweek kick off times back to 7.45pm from 7.30pm," he says.

"What is the point of that? It's a suggestion from some of the outlying clubs in that is gives them and their supporters that little extra time for travelling. That's all very well and I'm in full agreement with it but why try and make us all do it? If it's needed for a one off game there is provision already for doing it.

"There are plenty clubs in the division which are in fairly close proximity to each other, so there is no need then. Near us we have Salford City, Curzon Ashton, Woodley Sports, Skelmersdale, St Helens, Maine Road and Abbey Hey so why not leave us at the kick off time our supporters are used to.

"Look at Tuesday night when we played Skem in the Floodlit Trophy. There was a delay with the kick off which can happen at any time so we didn't get under way until 7.50pm. It was a cup game and went to extra time so we were actually beginning to take the nets down at 10.30pm. What use is that to anyone when you have to be up for work the next morning? I just don't understand what they are up to at times. "They are now trying to make us fit the rearranged Salford game in. What for? We are right bang up to date on fixtures and surely it is better to leave the odd postponed game over until April when the evenings are more pleasant. Supporters would much rather come out on an April evening than one in November or December.

"Look at last Saturday - our crowd at home to Rossendale was 150 and then on Tuesday it was 50. A hundred down. That's a big difference to us. Leaving these games until later in the season would also avoid clashing with the big European matches on television. By April those competitions have reached the finals stages and there are not as many games to conflict with ours."

Colls having lost 3-0 to Rossendale on Saturday and 3-1 to Skem on Tuesday will need to drastically improve their home form with Woodley Sports, the visitors to Alder House tomorrow.