‘I’d struggle to go again after second null and void’

Rich Bessey is 'gutted' Fleetlands' Hampshire Premier League Senior Division promotion push has been brought to a halt.

And he admits any decision to null and void the season for a second successive year could have a detrimental impact on the ambitious Coptermen.

Fleetlands were in fine form as their campaign was brought to a stop last Thursday because of the second nationwide lockdown.

A 1-0 victory at neighbouring Locks Heath last midweek was a fourth consecutive triumph in all competitions to leave them sixth with games in hand on most of the sides above them.

Fleetlands are aiming to make this the season they finally achieved their Wessex League ambition.

The club have invested so much time, effort and money into making sure they can realise that dream - both on and off the field - in recent years.

Bessey believes had last season not been declared null and void by the FA they would be operating in the Wessex League now.

And if 2020/21 ends the same way, he would struggle to 'get up and go again'.

‘I’m just gutted (the season has been stopped),' admitted Bessey.

‘I woke up after the Locks Heath result thinking ‘what a result’ and looking forward to another game at the weekend, but we couldn’t do anything.

‘I think I’d really struggle to get up and go again next season if they null and void this season.

‘Last year we were on track to finish anywhere from second to fourth. We finished in fourth but I still think we could have achieved second place.

‘At that point we could have been promoted. It’s frustrating because everything gets forgotten and you have to go again.'

Despite the uncertainty over when football will resume at non-elite level in England, Bessey, above, remains hopeful league campaigns can be completed.

However, if that was not to be the case and Fleetlands were consigned to another season in the Hampshire League, he feels his squad could be decimated.

'If it happens again this year, I’ve got players who are touching the age of quitting football,’ Bessey said.

‘Also I’ve got a lot of young players who are good and maybe don’t want to be in the Hampshire League much longer who could go on play in the Wessex League and above.

'I don’t really want to be null and void, I’d find it very, very hard to continue.

‘That’s no disrespect to Fleetlands because we’ve got a great set up. The board are fantastic, the committee are brilliant.'

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