FOOTBALL is set to fall foul of the weather for the first time in the Craven League's league's history.

Officials were due to meet last night (Wednesday) and were expected to admit defeat in their battle to complete the full league and cup programme.

Months of heavy rain, followed by snow and frosts, have led to a huge backlog of matches and it was the final straw when the full league and cup programme was washed out again last weekend.

"It looks as if the weather has finally become the winner this season, certainly in the League Cup competitions, if not the league," said secretary Peter Marsden.

Problems with the weather were compounded when the Foot & Mouth outbreak led to Horton in Ribblesdale and Carleton pulling out of the competition because they were unable to use their grounds.

Things had looked to be improving but the latest downpour has returned the grounds to their 'paddy field' condition and forecasts for the coming days are far from optimistic. Officials had been hoping clubs could play two or three matches a week in a bid to clear the backlog.

Some grounds will also be unavailable when local councils remove goal posts. With the cricket season about to start a number of other soccer pitches will also be closed.

At last night's meeting the committee was expected to try to continue with the league programme, but the cup competitions were expected to dropped.

"In my 40 years of involvement with the league this is the first time we have been sunk without trace. Even after a complete eight week lay-off in the bad winter of 1963 the league was completed," Mr Marsden said.

Already 16 games have been postponed this weekend (Easter Saturday).

The postponed games are:

Premier Division: Addingham v Colne CC, Clitheroe Utd v Embsay; Cononley v Colne CC; Oxenhope Rec v Grassington Utd; Skipton Bulldogs v Cross Hills.

Division One: Bradley v Intake; Carleton v B'wick Utd; Skipton Town v Bronte Wands; Sutton v Hellifield.

Division Two: Barrowford Utd v Bradley; Bronte Wands v Cowling; Horton v Ilkley; Silsden Athletic v Skipton Bulldogs.

Division Three: Colne CC v Intake; Grassington v McBrides; Ingleton v Waddington.