Sunday football return to West Norfolk would be most welcome

I think I’ve lamented a few times in this column on the sad demise of both Sunday and to a lesser degree, Saturday grassroots football around West Norfolk.The once full pitches of Riversway and Kingsway of weekends past now seem a very distant memory to those with an interest in the most local football you can get.This is why I was very pleased to see that plans are afoot to reintroduce Sunday football to the area following an absence of some six years, something that hopefully will reignite the enthusiasm among those who miss their football fix.Only the Norwich area in the whole of Norfolk has seen organised Sunday football in recent seasons but the Norfolk Sunday Football League are keen to reintroduce the game from next season, if possible.Along with the reintroduction, the plan would also see regionalised leagues with clubs not being expected to travel long distances for matches.Other proposals include a 9 v 9 or 11 v 11 format which has still to be agreed, the possibility of flexible kick-off times and even a consideration of a different matchday, all of course subject to pitch availability. It’s a very different way of administering the game and one that hopefully can be embraced ahead of next season. I was never much of a player myself but turned out a couple of times to help a side out many years ago.My brother was, shall we say, a ‘cultured’ defensive player in his day but it’s my father really who was the player many moons ago, a flying winger for Tilney, mostly playing Saturdays.He still tells us stories from back in the day when the crowd around the pitch would more often than not be three deep with spectators and playing with a laced, heavy ball, which would cut your head open following a bad connection on a cold afternoon. The one thing that shines through his and other stories I’ve heard is the great unity and togetherness not only football, but all team sports bring to the table and the feel-good factor that playing sport brings.The excellent 8:56 Foundation, who do so much outstanding work in raising awareness of men’s mental health, have also stated that it would be great to get a Sunday men’s League back, for both mental and physical health. I sincerely hope that enough interest is shown and that the Sunday morning game becomes the rule, rather than the exception, in the area again come next season.By all accounts, the Linnets were made to work hard for their 3-1 win over Marine at The Walks last weekend but, more importantly, they got the job done and secured the three points.The National League North table is so tight this season and it remains notable that only Kidderminster to date, have put together a good run of results (seven wins and a defeat) in their last eight league games, which sees them currently at the summit of the table. For the record, Lynn has four wins, three draws and a defeat from their last eight fixtures and that kind of form mirrors many of the other teams in and around the action amongst the front runners.Marine defended well for large parts of the game on Saturday, cancelling out the Linnets first-half lead shortly after the second-half restart, only for the hosts to retake the lead soon after and add a match-sealing third deep into stoppage time.Both teams played some good football in the contest but ultimately it was Lynn who ground out a result which could prove crucial come late April.Adam Lakeland again referred to where the Linnets were at this time last year in comparison to their current second place (as I write this column). They are of course in a much better position this time around and are now grinding out results when they have to on a more regular basis, which is proven by their league position.It is something that they must continue if they want to remain in contention for automatic promotion or a play-off spot with everything being so close.Lakeland has a much stronger squad at his disposal this time around as well but he has also hinted again that if the opportunity were to present itself he would like to add possibly a couple of new faces to his side ahead of one final push.The continued absence of Jonny Margetts is a worry and with Gold Omotayo absent last weekend it left Lakeland short of options at the top of the pitch, a situation that Lakeland may have to address in the not-too-distant future. This coming Saturday Lynn makes their shortest journey of the season down the A47 to face Peterborough Sports, a team very much in form at the moment.It will also provide an opportunity for another reunion with three former Linnets in the shape of the two Michaels, Gash and Gyasi and Ryan Fryatt all currently playing a big part in a good Sports season.I rate Ryan as one of the best centre-backs at Step 2 and still find it strange to see him playing against his hometown team rather than for them, even though he left The Walks a few years ago now.And no one I’m sure will forget Mr Gash’s heroics whilst wearing the Blue & Gold.It is a fixture that Lynn needs to be winning but recent encounters with the Turbines have been close, tight affairs, and I see things being no different this weekend either.