Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer
DISAPPOINTMENT AND embarass-ment were the order of the day as fans and finalists Hillstars and New Green were denied the occasion of the first-leg of the Manchester Major League that was scheduled for Brooks Park at the weekend.
This as referees drafted from outside the parish ruled at match time on Sunday that the surface was unprepared to host the game.
Grass and shrubs, the referees claim, were much too high and checks by The Gleaner revealed a similar description.
When contacted, Manchester Football Association president, Dale Spencer, initially suggested the Manchester Parish Council, which owns the property, were to be blamed when he said:
"We had depended on Brooks Park to be prepared and this was not done. Apparently, they had a problem."
However, checks made by The Gleaner with secretary/manager Winston Palmer at the council's office yesterday, revealed a different spin.
NO EXPERTISE
According to Palmer, the basic logistics which had to do with preparing the surface for an activity like football were now the purview of a special Brooks Park Management Committee, on which Spencer serves.
Prior to The Gleaner contact, he said he was unaware that the final was taking place, or there was any problem with the preparation of the surface.
"We don't have that kind of expertise. We employ two caretakers for the facility who stay there and as for its use, that is left up to the Management Committee," Palmer said.
Meanwhile, Spencer has given the assurance that the necessary arrangements will be in place for a kick-off next Sunday.
