ROBIN Satherley has described the current fixture pile-up as the worst he has ever known in 40 years at Portland United.

The adverse weather has hit football hard at almost every level this season and the Blues are just one of many sides struggling to deal with the backlog.

The Magna Dorset Premier League has extended the campaign to May 18 in a bid to help its member clubs but some are still facing three or four matches a week – a schedule that will no doubt affect the overall outcome.

Portland secretary Satherley, who also holds the position of DPL vice-chairman, told Echosport: “We are now going to May 18 when normally we would stop around May 11.

“The new fixtures actually came through on Sunday and hopefully we won’t have to go any further than that.

“To put it bluntly, for league secretary Giles Kilshawe-Fall, it has been an absolute nightmare, and to be honest he deserves a gold medal for all he has done.

“We actually started the season a week earlier this year and we have also been making use of all the bank holidays but it is still providing the league with a massive headache.

“Some clubs also have to finish earlier than others due to their grounds being needed for cricket, which is now coming into play, so you can just imagine the problems it’s all causing.”

He went on to add: “I have been with Portland United for 40 years now and I have certainly never known it as bad as this.

“It is definitely the worst pile-up I have seen since I have been secretary and as a result the race for the title will now probably come down to who can get their players out, rather than who is the best team.

“Every team is facing the same situation but there is no doubt the availability of players is going to be crucial now, particularly with so many midweek games.

“It’s a shame but it is what it is and there is nothing anyone can do about it.”

The Blues still have 15 games left to play in all competitions but Swanage Town & Herston face the busiest run-in with 16.

Chickerell United and Bridport Reserves still have 13 fixtures remaining while Weymouth Reserves have 11.

Meanwhile, the Dorset Senior League has also been extended to May 18 when Weymouth Sports will bring the curtain down on the campaign with a home clash against Mere Town.

One of the hardest hit sides in that division has been Upwey & Broadwey, who still have 13 games left to play, which equates to half their league fixtures.