THE Ribblesdale League executive have issued an apology to clubs and reinstated this weekend's fixtures after a decision to call them off owing to a clash with England's World Cup quarter-final with Sweden attracted heavy criticism.

The league released a statement on social media on Wednesday night saying that all matches had been postponed but many clubs hit out at the move and also complained about a lack of consultation.

That prompted a u-turn from the league and games will now take place on Saturday at the normal start time of 1pm - unless both clubs agree to call the fixture off in which case it will be replayed.

League treasurer Mike Bridges admitted the original decision to call games off without first consulting with all clubs had been a mistake.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "We can't change what happened, we can only try and make it right.

"We have decided that the games should go ahead after the league executive reviewed the decision.

"Clubs have two options, either play at the scheduled time or, if both clubs agree, then the game can be postponed to take place at a later date.

"Earlier start times are not practical because we have to think about the travelling of umpires as well as the players from the clubs.

"We would like to apologise to all clubs and members for taking the decision without consulting the clubs first.

"We are all volunteers and sometimes people lose sight of that.

"This is the final decision and we want to draw a line under it."

The original call, made on Wednesday, promoted an outcry from clubs on social media. Many were against the decision and were also disappointed they had not been consulted prior to the announcement.

There was a league management meeting on Monday, 24 hours before England's footballers beat Colombia to reach the last eight of the World Cup, at which club representatives were present. It was agreed that should England reach next Sunday's World Cup final then the Ramsbottom and Lawrenson Cup games will be played on the reserve date the following week.

But no discussion took place about what to do this weekend should the Three Lions reach the quarter finals.

Of the process behind the initial decision, Bridges said: "We had a meeting on Monday night to discuss the final and that was pretty much all agreed but no-one thought to mention this weekend.

"The decision to postpone the games was taken by a majority of the league executive but unfortunately none of us thought to email the clubs.

"Four clubs, some officially and some just sounding us out, asked us about the possibility of postponing games this weekend because of the football.

"On this occasion we made a wrong call but we are big enough to admit that and we can understand the clubs' frustration.

"All we can do is apologise."