In the Dab household plates were left emptier than Woolworths' shelves.

I'm thinking of getting a new washing machine as it definitely appears to have shrunk several shirts and trousers that fitted comfortably before the festive period.

But all the indulgence over the holidays left me contemplating the offerings at Cannon Park.

No one can dispute that the social club is a shining jewel, not only at Cannon Park, but across non-league football in Nottinghamshire.

It is therefore such a shame that the food and drink offered by the club do not match up.

I have travelled many miles following the Badgers, and it is with a heavy heart, and expanding waist band, that I have to report that the match day food served up is some of the poorest in this league, and beyond.

The pork sandwiches at Belper. The home-made pies at Goole. The curry and chips at Grantham. The sausage rolls at Cammel Lairds. I could go on. But if you've travelled, you know.

Not only is the quality poor at Cannon Park, the choice isn't exactly varied. With the surfeit of quality butchers in the area, not to mention local independent producers, surely it can't be too much of a stretch for the club to strike up a deal with someone offering halfway palatable food. Bacon's, Cardy's, Thaymars, and further afield even Gamston Ostrich Farm. Now wouldn't that be a talking point?

And as for the drinks, both hot and alcoholic, well, what can I say? The coffee is below par, the tea is the best of a bad bunch, and the beers and lagers offered show all the imagination of an X-Factor contestant.

Of course there is need to provide refreshements at a profit. The club can hardly afford to throw away good money on some Real Ale promotion. But if they intend to promote the venue as somewhere to be seen, they need to be able to cater to more palates than they currently do.

Retford is a club on the up, there can be no mistake about that. But they need to wake up and realise who they are catering for. The fans get short enough shrift with the facilities. Offering them below-par food and drink just compounds the problem.