Worthing manager pleads for clarity from Isthmian League chiefs

Worthing boss Adam Hinshelwood has pleaded with Isthmian League bosses to be more up front with clubs over hopes for the restart.
Marvin Armstrong in action for Worthing before lockdown / Picture: Marcus HoareMarvin Armstrong in action for Worthing before lockdown / Picture: Marcus Hoare
Marvin Armstrong in action for Worthing before lockdown / Picture: Marcus Hoare

The Woodside Road manager says there is no clarity from the top about the decision-making process they are following to try to get league matches restarted.

Another week has passed with little prospect of the non-league step three and four clubs being able to resume their league campaigns, even though all leagues above and below them are managing to get games played.

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News last week that clubs in Covid tier three regions COULD allow fans in appeared to pave the way for a resumption, but other issues involved – including restrictions on clubs opening clubhouses and bars – have been raised as a reason to keep things on hold. And now London, Essex and parts of Hertfordshire are moving into tier three, hopes of an imminent restart appear even more distant.

It’s a huge frustration for Worthing, who top the Isthmian premier – just as they did when last season ended early and was then declared null and void.

Hinshelwood just wants clarity from the league in what they’re thinking and planning.

He told us: “The league seem a bit distant and I do think we need a bit more clarity from them.

“They need to keep clubs in the loop with their thoughts.”

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Hinshelwood said he had great sympathy for Worthing fans who had spent a lot of time, effort and money into following the team last season and in this campaign and, he said, must be wondering what it was all for.

“They must feel they’re wasting their money,” Hinshelwood said.

“And as a club we have the wage bill and we have invested in trying to win promotion. I just think the league need to do more.”

Hinshelwood’s frustrations echo those of bosses at Horsham, Hastings and other clubs who feel there is not enough of a will to get league fixtures going again.

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Worthing are playing friendlies – they drew 2-2 in their latest one at Chi City on Saturday and go to Haywards Heath this Saturday.

But London’s move into tier three will limit who Hinshelwood can field. “We have five or six London-based players so will have to look at perhaps just putting on Zoom sessions for them and continuing to get the rest of the squad playing and training.”