Non-league clubs hope their season can be completed

Dozens of clubs across the Midlands will see their campaigns halted when the new national lockdown comes into force tomorrow.

The FA yesterday confirmed fixtures and training must stop at every level of men’s football below the National League, while the restrictions also apply to the women’s game from step three down.

Clubs affected include Hednesford Town, Stafford Rangers, Stourbridge, Rushall Olympic, Chasetown and Halesowen Town, along with Wolves Women.

Leagues already running to tighter than normal schedules will now have an even smaller window in which to complete their seasons by May, with no guarantee there will be no further delays.

The FA has already contacted leagues and clubs to gauge their views on what should happen if the campaign cannot be finished.

Rushall Olympic vice chairman Nick Allen said: “Hopefully the suspension is only for four weeks but even then you are starting to stretch the boundaries of what can be done.

“If the league is put on hold for much longer than that we could end up with a similar situation to last season. Hopefully it does not come to that.”

Rushall currently sit fourth in Evo-Stik Central Premier, the highest level of ‘’non-elite’ football which has now been told it must stop by the government.

While clubs are understandably disappointed at the campaign being halted, there is a general acceptance the situation is out of their hands.

“There is a bigger picture which we all have to remember,” said Andy Pountney, chairman of Rushall’s league rivals Stourbridge.

“Of course there is disappointment.

“A lot of people, all of them volunteers, have worked very hard to get us back playing in the first place so to stop now is tough.

“But there is a national health situation here which is frankly far more important than football. If non-league football has to stop to help that, so be it.”

Both the Midland League and West Midlands Premier League have also been suspended until December 3.

Midland League chairman Mike Joiner believes in reality it will not be until the middle of next month when play resumes.

He said: “Technically we could return on the weekend of December 5 but you have to remember clubs won’t have trained for a month, so it might be another week until the league restarts.

“As things stand we should have no problem completing the season if the league resumes in December, provided of course the weather plays ball.

“The problem will be if there is any further delay but obviously that is impossible to predict at this point.”

An FA statement read: “Our aim is to ensure that the 2020-21 season is completed at these levels and will liaise with the relevant leagues to provide support and establish appropriate options to do so if required.

“Re-starting football at these levels has taken substantial determination and commitment from stakeholders across the game and we would like to thank everyone for their vital contributions.

“However, health and wellbeing remain the priority, so it is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the UK government’s new national Covid-19 restrictions during this period.”