CONCORD Rangers chairman Antony Smith has defended the decision to call off the match against Southend United, criticising professional clubs for “living in a bubble” when it comes to non-league sides.

Blues boss Phil Brown was critical of the Beach Boys for pulling the plug on Tuesday’s match at the eleventh hour, with Southend’s Under-21 side set to travel to the Aspect Arena as the first-team squad are currently training in Spain.

But Smith made the call yesterday morning in a bid to protect the pitch, with two of their three home pre-season matches arranged to bring in extra revenue.

Both of these matches, against Millwall and Southend, have fallen by the wayside and Smith has now responded to Brown’s comments.

“Our secretary Chris Crerie arranged the game with (assistant manager) Graham Coughlan on May 4 and Graham’s words to Chris were “we will bring a strong squad”,” said Smith. “In the middle of last week I was made aware that Southend were flying to Spain. I then sent Graham an email last Thursday asking about the squad and any dietary requirements for the players. I never received a reply.

“Our secretary spoke to him on Friday and it was then he told us that it would be a youth side coming to us.

“Millwall pulled the plug last Tuesday due to a trip abroad and we had only arranged three home games this pre-season as we are trying to protect the pitch so we had two as revenue earners, and Braintree Town as a test for the team.

“It just seems to me that these clubs live in a bubble when it comes to non-league teams and the hard work that goes into running them by unpaid volunteers while they are flying off to their training camps.

“Over the weekend I contacted (Gillingham manager) Justin Edinburgh and said if the Braintree pitch was not playable we would be happy to have them come to us if he brought a strong squad. We spoke on Sunday night and he confirmed that would be the case.

“I have no desire to fall out with any club, especially local ones who we would look too for help, but I am a successful businessman, have always run the club as a business and will not be taken for granted no matter who you are.

“I wish Southend United all the best for the new season.”