PREMIER League superstars who moan about their ‘hectic’ schedules would do well to take a look at the crowded fixture list facing Kirkby United.

Mike Birkett’s side have been going great guns in the Furness Premier League this season, but a seemingly endless spate of postponements coupled with the Christmas break have left United with a lot of catching up to do.

Not only have they 11 league fixtures still to complete, starting with tomorrow’s home showdown against fellow high fliers Hawcoat Park Reserves, but they are also still in the hunt for silverware in three cups.

“We were flying before the bad weather set in and went on a great unbeaten run but since the end of October we have only played four games ,” said Birkett.

“We’ve a few league games to catch up on and we’re still in both league cups and the Furness Senior Cup, so we ‘ll probably be playing three games a week towards the end of the season.”

But the Kirkby boss is undeterred and is relishing the challenges looming at the business end of the season.

It’s clearly been difficult to maintain that peak match day sharpness during the lay off, but he said he and his side had been working hard to stay fit.

“We train hard for an hour and a half once a week but the lads also work hard on their fitness outside that,” said Birkett.

“And on the days when our game is off, I try to arrange a game or a training session on a 3G surface.”

United will hopefully feel the benefit of that fitness drive when they take on second placed Hawcoat, but Birkett is under no illusions as to the size of the task.

“They beat us 6-1 in the return fixture a few weeks ago and I think they were one of the best sides I’ve seen at this level, so we know it will be tough,” he said.

Paul Cleasby and Rob Fugler, who has just returned to training, remain unavailable, but Birkett said his side had risen to the challenge in their absence.

The inspirational Matty Bruce has been a key figure, but the Kirkby chief also reserved praise for youngsters Cam Cooper and Kieran Otley, who have played a key role in defence this term.

“They’ve done well and they are big lads who can handle the physical side of the game,” he said.

And the good news is that with dry weather forecast, its looking good for the game to go ahead and Kirkby to resume in earnest their quest for glory on four fronts.