Non-league teams shouldn't have to play if it's unsafe

The Swans were fined early in the season for calling off a game against a team who had just played opponents subsequently found to have a positive Covid-19 case in their ranks.

They were fined £250 – a decision they said was ‘shameful’ – and say they would not want to see any other team put in the same position.

Talks over whether this season should be terminated for non-league clubs at step three and below are ongoing, with many believing it will be declared null and void.

Storrington manager Bob Paine said: “Following a meeting with the club to discuss the FA survey and what should happen to the rest of this season, we decided the only sensible and safe option was to null and void the rest of this season.

“Given there are still hundreds of deaths being reported each day, even considering starting the season in March is difficult to see – therefore in our view it is better to know sooner rather than later and we can all start planning for next season.

“I appreciate certain clubs have paid out a lot of money these last two seasons for nothing and that’s unfortunate for them. But there are more important things to consider at the moment particularly people’s health and wellbeing.

“I would rather start next season fresh in August and don’t think playing through the summer is right.”

Paine also felt putting two seasons’ results together was not fair for all clubs.

He added: “Our priority is the health and wellbeing of all of us at the club young and old.

“We feel we could be asked to play when we do not consider it safe to do so therefore putting us and our families at risk.

“We also feel we have to be consistent with other decisions we have taken this season – ie, the AFC Varndeanians game which we called off due to Covid positive test.

“History has shown we took the right course of action for that game and to be fined by the SCFL £250 for trying to keep our people safe was a shameful decision – it’s money which would help keep the club afloat at the moment.”

Paine said there was reason for optimism at Storrington as thoughts turned to the day football could safely return.

“As I look back at the season I knew it would be a challenge from the start as we had to rebuild the squad,” he added.

“But it was clear we were making progress and winning our last two games before the current lockdown showed that.

“I’m hopeful that we will be able to keep together the squad we have for next season and with one or two additions will see us being more consistent from the start.

“We can all hope that next season we will be able to play through uninterrupted and those promoted or relegated at the end of next season will be because of a full season in the proper and fair way.”