MJSL chiefs are dipping into their own pockets to avoid the fixture congestion escalating.

The League’s bossses have taken emergency action in the wake of the backlog by rearranging games to be played on 3G pitches.

The whole of last Sunday’s programme was postponed due to waterlogged pitches at Hough End and Frederick Road.
It was the second time in three weeks that all games in Manchester were wiped out.

And secretary Paul Rose said the league had to act to act by paying the extra costs required to play games on artificial surfaces and under the lights.

He said: “The League are covering all costs. It’s costly but the league have the necessary funds to go down this route.

"The weather is showing no sign of improvement. And we have a duty to get these games on so this decision was taken. It’s not ideal but needs must. Teams will not have to cover any of the extra costs.”

Without the League stepping in and taking drastic measures, the season would be in danger of extending well into the summer months.

Four midweek fixtures have been pencilled in to take place on the third generation pitches in the middle of next week.

Oakhill Lions, one of two student teams in the MJSL, have welcomed the decision.

Player-boss Daniel Rabinowitz says the club would not have the finances to take a move.

He said: “We have to thank the League for this decision. Every week I push to get a side out and the players have to cancel their weekend plans only to discover the games are called off. It’s been very frustrating.

"Being a student team, a lot of the players also go home on weekends. But with matches now being played in midweek, it certainly helps us to field our strongest team."

Maccabi Manchester Yellow boss Anton Radiven, among those to have been hit by the wet weather, praised the League for taking the matter into their own hands.

He said: “We’ve played one game in the 10 weeks so this is really welcome. We just want to play. The League deserves credit for taking swift action before things got out of hand."