Bognor boss: We're heading for another lost football season

Bognor's FA Trophy loss at Maldon and Tiptree was their last action - ten days before Christmas / Picture: Lyn Phillips

The Nyewood Lane manager and FA Council member says it is hard to see how the 2020-21 campaign can possibly be finished.

His comments came after the government imposed a new national lockdown which includes a ban on non-elite football teams playing or training.

Pearce believes the focus should turn to making sure clubs survive the new lockdown and are able to come out of it in a strong position to start the 2021-22 season once coronavirus has been beaten.

Bognor and Chichester City’s Isthmian League schedule has been on hold since the start of November and there is no prospect of fixtures resuming by the end of February.

Pearce said: “Unless I’m mistaken there is no chance of anyone at our level training, let alone playing, befroe Feburary 22, and most accept the need for a week or two gearing up to play.

"If anyone thinks you can then finish the season in March, April and May... well, I think it will be very difficult. Our clubs can’t play three times a week for 12 weeks – and even if they could, those clubs could not operate without fans being allowed to attend and spend money at the bars and canteens.”

Clubs are expected to be asked for their views on the way ahead in the next couple of weeks and different ideas for concluding the season – including views on points per game – are likely to be discussed.

But Pearce said thoughts must turn to how clubs could get through the new lockdown and come out of it for what he hoped would be a much more ‘normal’ 21-22 season.

There is hope that details of funding help for non-league clubs via Sport England will be made known this month.

Pearce added: “We are looking for some certainty that clubs can start next season. They need financial help in the meantime because they have a lot of overheads.”

Meanwhile Rocks coach Robbie Blake has urged players and fans to stay positive in these testing times.

He added: “Of course there’s the increasing possibility of another null and void season. We really hope it doesn’t come to that, and I’m sure the league and clubs involved will consider lots of different avenues before that decision is made.”