THE demise of North Ferriby United this morning will have repercussions well beyond the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Ferriby, who won the 2015 FA Trophy and spent 2016-17 in the National League, were wound up in Hull County Court for being unable to pay a debt of £7,645.25 owed to Chappelow Sports Turf. Their affairs have been placed in the hands of liquidators and they will not fulfil their remaining Evo-stik NPL premier division fixtures. Presumably their record will be expunged.
Like many clubs — including Hyde United and Droylsden — Ferriby found the pressures and costs of National League football to be too great and back-to-back relegations followed.
In the short term, North Ferriby’s closure deals a financial blow to STALYBRIDGE CELTIC, depriving them of much-needed income as the two sides were to have met at Bower Fold next week. One Celtic official has described the cancellation as a grievous blow to an already cash-strapped club.
Tomorrow (Saturday) the Bridge travel to Scarborough. Only Elliott Cooke will be missing as Simon Haworth’s men look to snap a six-game winless run including defeats in the last four matches.
A training-ground ankle injury will again rule out Tom Pratt as HYDE UNITED prepare to meet Lancaster City at Ewen Fields.
Nicky Platt (calf) will also be missing, Jack McConville has a torn hamstring, and Ross Daly serves the first half of a two-match ban for being sent off last week.
On the plus side, Paddy Lane is able to play after being substituted against Farsley because of a hip injury. Kyle Brownhill will be available after recovering from concussion.
In National League North, CURZON ASHTON enjoy the rare treat of going into a game as favourites. They visit Guiseley who are 19th in the table and only three points clear of the relegation places.
Curzon’s only absentee is defender Cameron McJannett who has been recalled by his parent club, Stoke City, for one game.
ASHTON UNITED have no match as Stockport County, who they should have been playing, are at Fylde in the first leg of the FA Trophy semi-finals.
In the NPL first division west, MOSSLEY resume their promotion challenge at Colwyn Bay after having no match last week. They travel to North Wales without Ben Richardson who completes a two-game suspension.
Shaq Clarke, who scored two goals at Kidsgrove as DROYLSDEN came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3, misses out on facing the Staffordshire side at the Butchers Arms.
Domaine Rouse and Michael Brewster face fitness tests, and manager Dave Pace is hoping to push through a loan in time for kick-off.
Phil Marsh has moved to Clitheroe and Reece Webb-Foster has joined Colne.
GLOSSOP NORTH END are at full strength for the visit of Newcastle Town after what co-boss Peter Band describes as a quiet week. Winger Mason Duffy’s loan has been extended until the end of the season.