Leatherhead chairman Peter Ashdown has hit out at the Ryman League over a fixture list that has left him stumped for answers.

The Tanners kick-off their Ryman Premier Division campaign this weekend with the visit to Fetcham Grove of Lewes.

It is what follows that has Ashdown scratching his head.

By Christmas, the Tanners will have played eight teams twice, while not having faced another four teams at all.

Their league clashes with Dulwich Hamlet are less than two weeks apart.

Ashdown said: “It does not make any sense.

“By Christmas you could have a league table that is completely unbalanced.

“There could be sides who were yet to play someone from the top six.

“We play Kingstonian on August 10, and then again on October 28.

“We’re then meant to play them in the FA Trophy on October 31.

“The crazy league schedule runs the risk of breeding contempt for your opponents. which is wrong.”

He added: “I’ve asked the question of the Ryman League, and they just shrug their shoulders.”

A Ryman League spokesman said: “After taking feedback on last season from clubs, they wanted fairer mid-week travelling and fewer games over the winter months, and this was the only way forward.

“We will be taking clubs’ further feedback in the mid-season meeting and acting accordingly.”

Despite his displeasure, Ashdown is in confident mood following a settled pre-season almost incomparable to last summer.

“Richard [Brady, manager] has kept 90 per cent of the squad on, so we have a settled squad.

“They played so well in the second half of last season that if we can take that into this season, who knows.

“We don’t have a big squad, we’re probably in the bottom third when it comes to a budget.

“So if we finish in the top half, we’d be delighted, anything higher would leave us tickled pink.”

He added: “It’s a long season, 46 games plus cup games. Really it’s too long, so we’ll need some luck with injuries.

“But we’re optimistic, although everyone says that at this stage.”