The Monday Moment

National League South side Tonbridge Angels are locked in a battle with the local council over plans for a path that could eventually lead to a new housing estate planned not far from their stadium.

The latter part might not seem so bad with the possibility of adding to the fanbase but the proposal puts that walkway extremely to close to a marquee the club have had on their leased land for a huge number of years, something that is extremely vital as a source of revenue that all non-league clubs need.

The club has actually been told they MUST agree to the proposal if they want to renew their lease in seven years’ time despite being left out of any consultation and talks over the proposed path and it’s direction.

It’s just another case of council’s trying to run all over a football club because they don’t deem them and their existence necessary, only when they feel that they can jump on a bandwagon and share in success.

To make a condition of a lease renewal has the club over a barrel, it’s wrong, it’s downright ridiculous and I’ll be watching to see if they find some sense and actually think about what they’re doing.

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When does a red card get you suspended but not from playing football? Confused? Some of you might well be because these days it doesn’t stop you pulling on the boots!

Six years ago when I was involved at a Step 6 club, being sent off meant being suspended for all football. No first team games, no Under 23’s, no Under 18’s and no Sunday football, it was a blanket ban until the suspension was served.

Some of you might be surprised to learn that getting sent off at Step 4 level means in today’s climate you are only suspended for that level of football so you are free to go and play in Steps 5 and 6 while you serve that suspension so where is the deterrent for getting a red card?

Seemingly none! The rule might also have changed again this season that a red card for a Step 5 or 6 first player doesn’t rule them out of being allowed to keep up their fitness level in the Under 23’s.

I’ve had people come to me over the weekend questioning whether a player whose been banned for misconduct playing at Step 4 level is banned from all football or only applies to the level he was at when the charge was levied despite the fact it’s taken them nine months to actually hear the case!

It’s probably too much to ask for the FA to be clear on the guidelines and for sanctions to be applied across all of non-league football rather than a bit relates to that and another bit relates to this, a simple game made complicated by…….them.

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Sometimes the lack of sympathy and empathy from those in charge of certain sections of the game just beggars belief. Kings Park Rangers of the Eastern Counties League tragically lost Saburi Olayinka Adeniji last weekend aged just 22 after suffering a brain stem injury last month.

The club notified the league this week after the funeral of the popular player they were in no fit state to play the weekend game against Framlingham.

The league responded by charging the club for failing to fulfil the fixture after insisting ‘it must be played’, apparently needing to act within league rules.

I mean, seriously?!?! I just can’t comprehend that and I’m sure a few of you have read this back with an open mouth, wide eyes or both.

Allow the club and it’s officials and supporters to grieve, show the empathy that’s required in this situation instead of hiding behind a rule book, that is weak leadership in my opinion.

Rangers will be submitting an appeal but dear god, they shouldn’t be needing to on this occasion, it’s completely the wrong decision made against them, let’s hope some common sense is found in the league corridors before too long.

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Enjoy the next seven days of football wherever you are headed.