It’s that time of year, pre-season is finally underway, however there was one particular non league friendly that gets abandoned at half time.
For so many teams in English football pyramid, they haven ‘t been able to kick a ball since their season was halted back in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This has resulted in many teams having to withdraw/resign from their current division or even have no choice but to fold due to the lack of finances coming in, which they would normally receive through matchday revenue.
We recently did a round-up, stating that there was nearly 20 non league sides that have been struggling since July 2019, for various issues.
So for any team to be able to return to football this summer is you could say a big achievement considering the impact the pandemic has had on so many.
On Saturday afternoon, Northampton based club Heyford Athletic took part in a friendly against Oxfordshire Senior League outfit Marston Saints.
The host’s first football fix since lockdown ended up having to be abandoned at half time.
Michael Philpott put Heyford in front after 15 minutes, before Stephen Gardner doubled his side’s lead with a top bin on the 30th minute. Marston Saints got one back prior to the break.
Our first football fix since lockdown is underway at home against @MarstonSaints 15 minutes in and Philpott opens the scoring for us 1-0 pic.twitter.com/7LAtvlWn2Y
— Heyford Athletic⚽️ (@Heyford_Ath) August 8, 2020
However, the game ended up having to be called off due to social distancing not being adhered to.
As described a fan on social media, the referee wasn’t happy with a group not socially distancing at the side of the pitch, and after a long delay whilst waiting to hear from a league representative, time was called on the game. Astonishing many.
Game called at half time. Ref wasn’t happy with group not socially distancing at the side of the pitch, and after a long delay whilst waiting to hear from a league representative @MarstonSaints call it a day.
— Heyford Athletic⚽️ (@Heyford_Ath) August 8, 2020
Abandoned- @Heyford_Ath 2-1 @MarstonSaints, game called off due to social distancing not being adhered to! pic.twitter.com/fVsSNTSUce
— Kyle Clapton-Matheson (@LvIgnite) August 8, 2020
This led fans to give their thoughts on the decision to have the non league pre-season friendly fixture abandoned, see multiple tweets from users below…
What…. the referee has gone way beyond what he was there to do. That group could have been a support bubble or whatever. Got bugger all to do with whistle blowing twit.
— RAdams (@RAAdams96) August 8, 2020
maybe he fault his health may be put at risk by the acts of others
— poker ref (@pokerreferee) August 9, 2020
Welcome to the Covid circus!!
— MarstonSaintsFC (@MarstonSaints) August 8, 2020
Replying to Mr smart heyford did take action a member of the footclub spoke to the group that the ref referred to and they did as they were asked still not good enough for this over zealous ref and he decided to ruin everybody’s afternoon
— davidlloyd (@davidll74105342) August 9, 2020
How can any club or referee be expected to govern how many people turn up to what is essentially a park?
— Simon Godfrey (@sgodfrey) August 8, 2020
Was you there?
— Sam (@samhodges28) August 8, 2020
DCMS will be all over this!! ??
— Peter Hewett (@WestSussexSAFC) August 8, 2020
If in doubt stay away.
— Mark Richards (@MarkRic91845508) August 8, 2020
@DeckchairPete @AlasdairRoss not good at all ?
— Dan Snell (@snells92) August 8, 2020
What?? ?
— MarstonSaintsFC (@MarstonSaints) August 8, 2020
On the same day, the much respected non league journalist Ollie Bayliss along with reporter Tony Incenzo tweeted as non league returned to football again.
Ollie wrote: “Non-league clubs have been without their main source of funding for 5 months now!
“No gate receipts, no food sales & no programme money.
“It’s astonishing that more clubs haven’t yet folded.
|Massive credit to all those working so hard to try to keep their community’s club alive!”
Tony added: “For many Non-League clubs the main income is from the bar/clubhouse. Also clubs hire out these facilities for functions. Most of this income has been lost due to Coronavirus. So we should say a big THANK YOU to Non-League volunteers who are working hard to keep their clubs alive.”
There was reaction to both of them tweets too…
Well said Tony. Guys like @rogerparsnip are the life blood of clubs like @StreathamRovers don”t know what they would do without him
— Sprout (@Im_sprouticus) August 8, 2020
I’d also like to join you in applauding all those volunteers who have been able to support their clubs during #coronavirus. A special thanks to those at my club @hydeunited. I’m also saddened at the demise of @Droylsden_FC a local club with a long history in the non-league.
— Alan Royston (@pagechord) August 9, 2020
We are currently allowed 60 people in our clubhouse for a drink, which regularly happens. However, if we have a match on, the amount is zero. ?. So no matches are being played at home. We put them on at a village pitch, down the road, & people can turn up to watch.
— Damo (@damo919) August 9, 2020
I fear for many smaller clubs for whom crowds, bar income and non match day hire activities are key
I cant wait for crowds to be allowed and look forward to visiting a variety of my friends in non league
Plenty of clubs are doing volunteer days, please watch out for them!
— Keith Holmes (@Gib_Ape) August 9, 2020
It’s a perfect time for 1% of all Pro Club Transfer fees to filter down to Community Chartered not for profits Non League Football Clubs. In these circumstances
— Ram Ismail (@OneRedRam) August 8, 2020
Indeed, income is all over the place – but biggest asset, volunteers, their regardless. We don’t count £, we count smiles and footie was back today smiling, thanks to grassroots getting on with it. Loving being back !
— Upper Beeding Fc (@UpperBeedingFC) August 8, 2020
@Alvechurch1st @WorcesterCityFc two proud old clubs played each other today, a local derby in the old beazer homes days but unfortunately behind closed doors today which is a real shame financially and for the players as a it would’ve been a decent crowd no doubt!!
— Simon H (@SimonHick1977) August 8, 2020
A picture paints a 1000 words. But travesty will suffice. Brighton beach ?? Tin shed Darlington FC ?? pic.twitter.com/Ef0ahXLXkj
— Rodney Dale (@1969Delly) August 8, 2020
Incorrect Shiela. We would have probably had a most popular month for our clubhouse & function facilities, plus unable to do our annual cider festival. Also potentially very profitable pre-season matches with EFL clubs.
— Hitchin Town FC (@HitchinTownFC) August 8, 2020
I’ve just watched a step 7 team play on a recreation ground, thus breaking current guidelines. On the way out we passed the local cricket ground, where there was a game being watched by more people, breaking no guidelines. I’m sorry, but this makes zero sense
— Simon Baker (@dunnoguv) August 8, 2020
I also found it astonishing that the goverment hasn’t done more to protect the national sport. They can give half price refunds to mcdonalds and kfc but they cant look after our sporting heritage and tradition. Shambles.
— Alex West (@alexwest88) August 8, 2020
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