RUFC - Douglas talks about a winter break

Rotherham United`s Chief Operating Officer, Paul Douglas has told David Beddows of The Advertiser that he is doubtful that a winter break in the footballing programme would work.

With FIFA President, Sapp Blatter saying today that he fully expects the 2022 World Cup Finals in Qatar to be held in our winter (January) because of the intense heat in Qatar in June and July, it would seem that at least that year there will be a football winter break in Europe.

With our topsy-turvy weather Mr Douglas rightly asked, 'Where would you put a winter break? It`s really only the last two Decembers that have been bad. You could plan a break in December and when it arrives it could be mild and then people would be asking 'why do we need a winter break?` On the other hand you could find yourself trapped in ice in January and February when matches are scheduled.

'Another option is to leave some Saturday`s free in December and January but then that would mean the fixture list would end up eating into May, and do supporters really want that?

'It would also mean then, that some games would have to be on Tuesdays when attendances are traditionally lower and that would impact on finances of the clubs. I don`t really think the weather, in this country, is predictable enough to make a winter break effective.`

I know I`ve moaned the last couple of years about being cold watching football and they should make it a summer sport! Say play July to November then have two months off and start again in February - but would that work? I can`t see it myself. What about you? What are your thoughts on a winter break?
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