Would a winter break work in non-league?

In his weekly Your Local Paper column, Mark Hearle talks about the possibility of a winter break in the non-league game and reflects on the fortunes of the Linnets.England skipper Harry Kane was in the headlines last week after saying that he feels that country should always come before club after nine of Lee Carsley’s squad pulled out ahead of the trip to Greece due to injuries collected in the previous weekend’s round of domestic fixtures.That debate has been had so many times now and is something I feel will never see a resolution that would keep both sides of the argument happy.In the same interview, Kane also floated the idea again of a winter break for the top leagues which got me wondering if something similar should be considered throughout the non-league game from the National League to Sunday morning football.I can almost hear the gasps following the question and there will of course be good arguments from both sides of the fence to something that would be a little radical.I’m sure that the majority of you will think (or more than likely say ) ‘Mark, you are speaking a load of tosh, shelving Boxing Day football’ I’m well aware of the special nature of Boxing Day fixtures at The Walks and the atmosphere that always seems to be different on that one day of the season. It was always good to see many different faces that used to be attracted out for the afternoon, along of course with the regular supporters, some of whom would have a moan as their regular stand seats had been lost to those who only turned once a year, yes, we’ve all heard or experienced that down the years.For many clubs, the Christmas and New Year fixtures often provide a welcome uptick in revenue at a time of year when finances can start becoming stretched.Lynn, for instance, has been lucky in recent seasons with their festive fixtures with Boston United as their opponents on both the Boxing and New Year Day’s which always guaranteed one of the biggest gates of the season. However this year that may be a little different with the Pilgrims scooping promotion last term, meaning it will be struggling Needham Market at The Walks for the festive encounter and, with the greatest of respect to them, I cannot see them travelling to Norfolk with 400 or so supporters on the day.Taking a break around the Christmas period would possibly be welcomed by the players who would be able to spend more time with their families, many of whom have youngsters, during a time that is recognised as being about family and spending quality time with them. It would also give those who work behind the scenes a chance as well to take a break and be with their loved ones.I well remember working until Christmas Eve lunchtime at The Walks and then returning early on a Boxing Day morning in readiness for that afternoon’s game, and not getting back in until early evening to spend the remainder of the day with the in-laws, who the good lady had been entertaining solely in my absence. On another occasion, I remember being out for Christmas Day and fielding numerous calls re-pitch inspections for the following day, much to the annoyance of those I should have been in the company of.As indicated the weather doesn’t always want to play ball around that time of year either so by either starting or finishing a season earlier you could cut out completely any possibility of postponed games.Whether a mid-season winter break ever comes to fruition remains to be seen but, as I’ve shown here, the arguments for and against one are equally as strong on whichever side of the fence you may sit on.Personally, I’m a fan of festive football, despite the problems it gave me back in the day, and just as custard goes with Christmas Pudding, football, it seems, continues to go with Yuletide.There will be no cup run for King’s Lynn Town this season as they again exited the FA Trophy at the first hurdle last Saturday. Leamington’s two goals in the opening fifteen minutes proved to be the difference between the sides with the returning Josh Hmami’s late goal proving to be only a mere consolation for the Linnets, who suffered their fourth straight defeat in the process.Afterwards, boss Adam Lakeland, speaking to the media, cut a dejected figure and appeared at a loss as to why Lynn conceded within the opening moments of the game, with him admitting it to be the worst goal one of his teams have conceded in his, almost 400-game, managerial career.Finding yourself two goals behind so early in a game means you’re always going to be chasing from then on with often little reward, something that the Linnets found again to their cost.Last weekend’s defeat will not be season-defining for Town and will quickly be forgotten about if success in the National League is achieved come May. In the here and now though, and as Lakeland alluded to, it was a big game and one that he and his team wanted to win desperately to mainly kick start their season which has meandered over the past three weeks or so.Lynn is finally back on home soil on Saturday with Southport providing the opposition at The Walks.It’s probably not a ‘must-win’ for the club but Lakeland will know that pressure will begin to grow the longer his team continue in this poor run of form which is seeing the defeat count rise.Southport are in decent form themselves and are no mugs having become an established team at level two now for some time and will provide a tough test for Lakeland’s team. Town has the advantage of a clear week which gives the manager and his staff plenty of time to spend on the training pitch to iron out the problems they are currently experiencing.The team must cut out the sloppy goals they have been conceding recently which has often seen them two goals down before they get themselves into gear and begin to start playing their game.In essence, it is a case of getting the basics in place and then building back towards the form being shown only a few weeks back.Over to you lads.