Danny Hussey admits that he is facing a major struggle to even field a side for Holbeach United’s Buildbase FA Vase clash with Lincoln Moorlands Railway on Saturday.
The Tigers would normally be considered hot favourites for the first round qualifying clash at Carter’s Park (3pm), but Hussey has got something of an unprecedented selection dilemma on his hands.
As of Wednesday, the Holbeach chief only had “eight or nine” players available as a best case scenario – meaning he may have to play himself from the start to make the numbers up.
Jon Fairweather, Michael Frew, Joe Smith and Ryan Oliver are all injured, while Spencer Tinkler is suspended, and striker Jack Smith decided to walk away from the squad last week due to work commitments.
The on-loan Danny Setchell is also 50/50 after picking up an injury in the Emirates FA Cup defeat at Corby Town last week, while Luke Avis and Tom Smith are at a wedding – leaving Hussey in dire straits if reserve team players aren’t available or able to step up and help.
He said: “At this point, I have no idea how I’m going to get a side out.
“I’ve been retired for years myself, but there’s a big chance I’ll have to play some part again.
“I’m hoping to get another player in on loan and I’ll be doing all I can to get a few players that having been involved to come back and help, but the reality is that we’ll be short.
“I’ll have to speak to (Reserve team manager) Phil Barnes and see what the state of play is with the reserves – I know they’ve got players at festivals this weekend too.
“Young Jordan Olive came with us to Corby last week and did really well. I’ve got no problem giving youngsters a go and integrating them into the first team.
“I think football is way down the pecking order for players now. When I was playing, I’d miss my own brother’s wedding to play for my club.Now it’s the last thing most of them think about, which is just the way it goes.”
Despite the selection crisis, Hussey is still hopeful of fielding a side that will be able to get a result at Carter’s Park.
He knows that he’s only a few weeks away from having plenty of options again and doesn’t want this crisis to cost the club a run in the FA Vase.
“Since the start of the season we’ve just never had a full squad to pick from,” added Hussey. “It’s been a challenging time for all of us.
“We’ve just not been able to get any consistency out on the pitch.
“I’ve not even been able to think about formations or that kind of thing. It’s been a case of fitting players in wherever I can. Look at Josh Ford.
I know he’d rather play further forward, but he’s done a job for me and the club at right back.
“We have been lucky to get two players in on loan from Stamford, with their boss Graham Drury being very helpful.
“It’s now a case of just trying to get through Saturday’s game. We’ll go out there to try and win with whatever side we have out, it’s a competition we’d like to do well in.”
Lincoln Moorlands Railway have made a decent start to the new Lincolnshire League season, having won two of their three games so far.
They boast dangerous ex-Lincoln United striker Sean Cann among their ranks.
