Express & Star

Players are back on the field for Sunday football

The Wolverhampton Sunday League are excited to finally get clubs playing again this weekend – even though 2020/21 will ultimately be deemed null and void.

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After months without matches because of lockdown, action resumes on Sunday and will run through until May 23.

Results will not count for anything in the long run, but it allows teams to get back on the grass and not have to worry about finding venues or referees.

Division One leaders Codsall Legion Sundats, for example, have only played five games this season, and league secretary and referee appointments officer Phil Reade explained: “No club will finish their season. It’s impossible.

“So, with the guidance from Birmingham County FA, we will null and void the season at the end of it.

“We could’ve done a supplementary cup, but if we had done groups of four, the losers of those groups would then see their season end sooner. We would rather all clubs play eight games.

“Clubs came to us and the message was ‘we just want to be back playing football’.

“Everything is going to be the same – you’ll still have a qualified referee, cautions will have to go into the county – just the season will be null and void.

“As a committee, we’ve had endless Zoom meetings and thought of all scenarios. But the feedback on this has been very positive.

“Ultimately, clubs are just glad to be back playing on Sunday mornings. We’ve told them to all enjoy it, look after each other and keep safe. We feel we’ve made the right call for everybody.”

League chiefs hope that these next several weeks will boost spirits and prepare clubs for next season.

“It’s a relief for us as a league, and for clubs as we know how they love playing on Sundays,” added Reade.

“It’s a mental release for a lot of people, that 90 minutes.”