Sidley joint-manager Glenn Sully wants a permanent halt to New Year's Day fixtures.

Sully has commended the County League for their efforts in putting in plenty of midweek fixtures before Christmas this season but believes the New Year's Day programme is one tradition that could be sacrificed.

At present a fixture can be switched to a different date, but both clubs must agree to any change.

Sully said: "It really does irk me having to play on New Year's Day. It is bad for people with families and asking a bloke to play three games in five days at such an important time of year is ridiculous.

"Boxing Day is a traditional day for football, and Saturday is a football day but the New Year's Day game really upsets me. By their nature most footballers go out the night before and though it is the same for all clubs, I think it is a game we can do without. We don't even have a midweek game through December.

"I think it is morally wrong as it affects families."

Sidley's new signing Graham Morris, who joined from Hailsham, has settled in well and admitted after last Saturday's 4-0 win over Redhill: "I should have come here at the start of the season."

He added: "No disrespect to Hailsham but when you have good players around you it helps raise your own game. I really enjoyed it."

Meanwhile, Burgess Hill boss Gary Croydon has denied rumours that Steve Harper has signed for Millwall.

Harper, 19, has been training with Millwall for the last month and has impressed manager Mark McGhee.

Two national newspapers carried stories last week saying Harper had signed for the Lions, with one suggesting a £75,000 fee being involved, but Croydon says this is untrue.

Croydon said: "Steve is on contract and we will not be standing in his way. But all the time we are in the Vase he is going nowhere.

"Steve is still up there and I will be speaking to Mark (McGhee) very soon. But he is still playing for us at the moment."

Everton and Queens Park Rangers have also been watching the 18-goal striker.

Meanwhile, the Hillians are going on a mid-season break in preparation for their FA Vase showdown with Dorking.

The Hillians are taking a 24-man party to La Cala, Spain, on January 15 to enjoy facilities previously used by the likes of Bayern Munich and Leicester City.