Like all clubs at every level of the game, Brighouse have not escaped the problems brought by the freezing winter.

It has not merely been harsh in terms if sub-zero temperatures but also in terms of bringing money in and ticking over.

After the club were severely hit by the arson attack by vandals on their Dual Seal Stadium at Hove Edge earlier in the season, the last thing they needed was a bleak mid-winter.

Town boss Mark Brier said: “Our Monday derby fixture against Liversedge was postponed mainly because of the weather and the pitch but we also had problems with the pipes.

“Our training has been disrupted by that as well because the showers are not working at the moment. We have had a couple of burst pipes that we have had to have looked at.

“We can’t afford to leave the heating on because the club is getting no income without games at home for such a long time. When there is no-one at the ground, we have to make sure everything is off.

“If the clubhouse and facilities had not been damaged by the fire there would probably have been people up there most days, stuff going on and money coming in, which would have been enough to at least keep the heating on low and prevent things like burst pipes.

“I’ll bet all of the clubs are saying the same things and I must admit I feel for all the gaffers because they must have had a similar last month as me and my club.

“It’s not been nice, even without the mindless morons who tried to spoil our season early days.”