A second National League North club have been forced to pull out of the FA Cup, becoming the eleventh team to do so in the tournament this season.
Third Qualifying Round ties are scheduled to be played later on Tuesday night, however just 38 of the 40 ties are to go ahead, with two teams exiting and the others advancing through to the next round.
Kettering Town are the latest team to exit due to some of their players and staff contracting the coronavirus with a rise in the number of cases.
CLUB STATEMENT:
Following discussions between the club, our CMO and the league’s LMO, and upon their advice, the board have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from this season’s Emirates FA Cup competition.
This decision is due to Covid infections within the camp and the requirement to isolate our first team squad and management personnel. This is not a decision that the board have taken lightly and we can assure everyone that we have investigated every option available to us (youth players, loan players etc.) but sadly a satisfactory solution could not be found.
Our planned trip to Brackley Town tomorrow evening is therefore off and our cup exploits for the 2020-2021 competition have come to a premature and frustrating end.
The club wish all those infected a speedy recovery and look forward to being in a position to fulfil future commitments.
This news follows the postponement of Saturday’s fixture against Southport and means that it will also prevent us from visiting AFC Fylde on Saturday 17th October. The board are hopeful that the situation will be resolved in time for our subsequent fixture against Guiseley on Saturday 24th October – however a further statement on this fixture will be made nearer the time.
This is the hardest decision this board has had to make but as well as protecting our players along with those at Brackley Town we also have an obligation to protect the integrity of the game and taking everything into account this is sadly the only option available.
All fixture re-arrangements will be announced as soon as possible.
— STATEMENT ENDS —
Hours before then, Boston United said that numerous members of the staff and squad have picked up Covid-19 and therefore cannot compete in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round, meaning opponents Hemel Hempstead Town will advance through.
CLUB STATEMENT:
The Northolme on Tuesday evening – but their task was made impossible following a positive Covid-19 test and the subsequent isolation of the first team staff and players.
All avenues to keep the Pilgrims’ name alive in this season’s FA Cup were explored – but regrettably a satisfactory solution could not be found and the Tudors will now progress to Thursday’s fourth qualifying round draw.
Reflecting on the bitter blow of withdrawing from the FA Cup, off the back of last season’s lucrative run to a televised second round replay against Rochdale, United chairman David Newton said: “We believe that we have assembled a very competitive squad this season and were hoping for another good FA Cup run – and to try to create some more memorable moments for the fans and everyone associated with the club, which would give everyone a lift at the moment.
“Sadly the situation that has developed over the past few days with the first team has left us with no alternative but to very reluctantly withdraw from the competition.
“We explored the possibility of playing the youth team, bringing in new players and using the loan market, but all avenues that we explored had their own individual problems and, of course, we always had an eye on the integrity of the competition.
“We will continue to concentrate on looking after the squad and staff and then prepare for a return to action in the league at the earliest opportunity. We of course wish Hemel Hempstead well in the next round.”
Saturday’s National League North fixture at Bradford Park Avenue had already been postponed due to Covid-19 issues within the home camp – meaning United’s next scheduled fixture is at home to AFC Telford United on Saturday October 24, although that fixture will be postponed if the Bucks are successful in the FA Cup at Leiston on Tuesday night.
All fixture re-arrangements will be announced as soon as possible.
Fans reacted after a second National League North club – Kettering Town – is forced to pull out of the FA Cup…
Sad news x much needed money and successful cup run leads to a lot of positive aspects for the Town x wish you well x
— Guy Branston (@Brano1979) October 12, 2020
Sorry to hear that, not the way you want to exit the Cup
All the best for the future— Quick Whittington (@moglaven) October 12, 2020
So disappointing and to let our rivals have a bye too ? plus Spurs can close the gap…
— Paul Barton (@Barty1976) October 12, 2020
Bad luck @KTFCOfficial, all the very best for the rest of the season.
— Phillip Starr (@ThePhillipStarr) October 12, 2020
Thought we could’ve gone far this year!
— Dan Moore (@danmoore9) October 12, 2020
Fucking COVID and 2020 can do one. Roll on 2021, gutted for Kettering town, my home town having to forfeit the game leading to dismissal from the Cup. Gutted for you all. Hope the players and all that have this extra strong man flu recover fully
— David Simmsy Simms (@Simmsy1031) October 13, 2020
That is said to hear
— Jordan Anderson (@JordanA54984483) October 12, 2020
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