KICK-OFF times are becoming more and more erratic with each passing week.

Last Sunday, we had the earliest ever kick-off in Premiership history, an 11.15am start between Manchester City and Everton.

The North West derby at the City of Manchester Stadium was then followed by four more matches, all with differing kick-offs at 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm and 4.05pm.

That's all very well at the top end of English football, where clubs have sold their soul to Sky TV in return for a few extra schillings.

But when non-league clubs up and down the country are forced to shift from traditional 3pm Saturday afternoon kick-offs just to keep afloat, it is a huge problem that needs addressing.

It happens each time England host a weekend international fixture and in this Saturday's case, the World Cup qualifier against Austria at Old Trafford.

Worcester City have altered their kick-off time to 2pm for the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie with Tonbridge Angels.

Take a look at a newspaper or football web-site for the full FA Cup fixture list and there are similar stories elsewhere, with afternoon kick-offs all over the place. All in the name of reducing potential gate receipt losses.

Chairman Dave Boddy believes Worcester and Tonbridge will lose thousands of pounds.

Tonbridge were asked by City to play the tie on Sunday, but declined. Unbeaten this season, the Kent outfit fancy their chances of pocketing the £5,000 prize money.

If putting the tie back meant affecting their plans for an upset, Angels had every right to decline, although their travelling fans will miss out on watching England.

Worcester supporters would like the best of both worlds, to watch City and England without a one-or-the-other situation.

When push comes to shove, most fans will still turn out at St George's Lane. Many live close to the ground so it's not too much of a problem. Once full-time is blown, they can nip home or to the pub to catch England.

But others won't be paying their money at the turnstile, and it is that lost cash that hurts City and other hard-up clubs.

On September 3, when England faced Wales, albeit in an `away' clash in Cardiff, Nationwide North attendances were down.

Eight of 11 Nationwide North fixtures that afternoon attracted less than the home side's average gate for the 2005/06 season.

In two of the three games that pulled greater numbers, Nuneaton Borough and Northwich Victoria, sides with strong travelling support, were respective visitors to Workington and Hinckley.

City followers turned out in commendable force for the 1pm clash at Harrogate, but there was still only 319 at Wetherby Road, which averages 360 for home games.

This remains a serious issue as England settle on 3pm kick-offs.

The FA may be looking after the national side's `best interests', but they should be wary of the damage to non-league football.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of heads being scratched over City's mystifying impotency in front of goal.

This is the same side that scored 17 times in nine matches during the club's extraordinary climb from relegation candidates to play-off outsiders last season.

Although City are currently Nationwide North's lowest-scoring team, there is encouragement in the shape of an improving defence.

Acquiring Justin Thompson on a permanent move is a good bit of work. Dominating at the back, a strong marker and possessing two good feet, Thompson holds more attributes than Barry Woolley.

What is Gillingham and Dundee's loss is City's gain and Thompson has developed a solid understanding with Chris Smith and Des Lyttle.

Partnerships that work are important and the threesome have blended nicely together, helping keep a second successive clean sheet for Worcester.