Turn off the lights... Local football goes into shutdown

BRIDGEND County sides in line with most football clubs throughout the country have seen the lights go out on the game, and don’t know when they’ll be relit, writes Tony Poole.

A Football Association of Wales (FAW) statement last Friday suspended domestic football at all levels until April 4 owing to the coronavirus hiatus.

But given increases of the virus are increasing on a daily basis throughout the country, football clubs like the general public are taking a step into the unknown with an April restart considered an extremely optimistic scenario.

And with clubs still coming to terms with a succession of stormy weather since the turn of the year, fixture-lists at many clubs are already bulging.

Even a prompt start next month would surely take the season into June.

The other alternative is to declare the 2019/2020 null-and-void, but that would be extremely unpopular with South Wales Alliance clubs like Pencoed Athletic, Porthcawl Town, Maesteg Park and Vale United along with Bridgend League champions Betws, who are all in with sound chances of gaining promotion.

An equally thorny problem surrounds relegation with Penybont at present battling to remain in the J D Cymru Welsh Premiership.

Another suggestion is that current tables should stand for the completion of the 2019/20, but opposition to this surrounds teams in relegation positions with games in hand.

The situation in Wales is further aggravated by another Modernisation Programme for next season to the FAW Pyramid.

This will also have to enter the equation once administrators sit down to discuss a situation similar only to the outbreak of two World Wars.

The instruction from the FAW to suspend the game at all levels with immediate effect until April 4 also made some other pertinent points.

“The intention is to resume the football schedule, but it depends on medical advice and conditions from the relevant authorities.

“The FAW is aware of the impact will have on the domestic game, but the health and safety of all fans, players, volunteers and stakeholders are of paramount importance.

“We will continue to monitor the situation on a day-to-day basis and provide updates when appropriate.

“But it’s a club decision to carry on training and insurance policies should be checked to ensure they are covered for coronavirus during training.

“FAW coaching courses will continue provided tutors are happy.”