OFFICIALS at Crewe's longest running Sunday League are confident they can complete the season despite a massive fixture backlog.

Last week grassroots football, along with other sports, was given the go ahead to resume on March 29 as part of Boris Johnson's four-step roadmap out of the lockdown.

There are 138 games still to play in both divisions of the Crewe Regional Sunday League where players have not kicked a ball in anger since December 20 last year.

The FA has given grassroots football the option of extending its season until the end of June if they wish to do so. But with April 4 being the first available date, an extension until June 27 provides only 13 Sundays to fit in all the league's games.

The problem lies in Division One where there are still 106 games to play, which would take 18 rounds of Sunday fixtures. The task is somewhat easier in the Premier Division which could be completed by the end of May as there only 32 games left.

But Crewe Regional Sunday League Secretary Dave Cooper has pledged that he and his committee will be working hard to devise a flexible plan, while they hope to get a helping hand from pitch hirers too.

"The big problem is the availability of pitches towards the end of June as traditionally most pitch providers like to end the season by May 31 to give them opportunity to complete pitch maintenance before the restart in August," said Dave.

"I am hoping that with the lack of use over the past few months the pitches will be in perfect condition, so maybe limited maintenance will be required and providers like Cheshire East Council might be grateful for the income provided by the playing of games.

"With 106 games left in Division One, even with no weather interventions we would need 18 weeks to complete. But we have the probability of midweek games to go for as soon as there is enough daylight to play in the early evening - and that gives us a chance."

When the Crewe Regional Sunday League was paused at the end of December George and Dragon led the way in the Premier Division, while in Division One Broadhurst and AFC Talbot were competing for top spot.