Putting welfare of players first
Hayling boss has his say on Hampshire League restart
Hayling United manager Dan Bishop will prioritise the welfare of his players when they return to action following the 'non-elite' football suspension.
The Humbugs boss is not happy his Hampshire Premier League Senior Division side have been asked to fulfil a competitive fixture just four days after nationwide lockdown restrictions were eased.
Bishop believes his squad - and others at ' non-elite' level - face picking up injuries as they are undercooked with the season resuming this weekend in some areas across the country after a month-long suspension.
Hayling head into their meeting with Clanfield under the Westleigh Park floodlights with a single training session under their belts.
But rather than push players in the early stages of their return, Bishop is going to be putting the welfare of his squad first.
‘Yes, we want to win games and, yes, we want to be competitive but I can’t look further then the welfare of the lads,' said Bishop.
‘It’s not fair. Yes, we’ve been quite active through the lockdown and we’ve encouraged them to do some online classes for strength and conditioning and mobility to keep them ticking over.
‘But we’re thrown straight back in and we’re going to go from nothing to 100mph. There’s every chance that someone is going to pick up an injury and I’m going to feel terrible about it. But what can we do?
‘I don’t know why the league didn’t allow us to train through December to get ourselves fit and ready. Treat it as a mini pre-season and come back in January.
‘I understand how difficult it is to fulfill fixtures but there’s plenty of asto facilities and plenty of teams with floodlights and why can’t we delay the season by a month or so. The reality is all these lads have got jobs, none of the lads get paid to play so there’s no money involved at our level and I don’t want to be taking risks and jeopardising their work - particularly over Christmas.
‘If I see anyone struggling or is injured or whatever then I won’t be putting the result before that.
‘We’ve just got to accept it for what it is and just be careful.’
Hayling's trip to Clanfield, who are groundsharing with the Hawks this season, has a later kick-off time of 7.45pm.
They will be playing after Paul Doswell's side welcome
Chelmsford City in the National League South.
Fans are allowed back into the stadium for the first time since March to watch the Hawks.
And Bishop is encouraging some of those supporters to stick around for a grassroots football fix later that evening by taking in the Humbugs’ league meeting with Clanfield. ‘There should be a big crowd in and so there should be,' added Bishop. ‘There are hundred and thousands of fans in this area who have not been able to have a football fix whether they can’t go to Fratton Park or whatever.
‘Well, come down and see the lads tomorrow night - this is real grassroots football.
‘It means something to everyone one of the lads who are on the pitch.
‘I really hope that people come along to watch it.’
Hayling wil be without Kieron Mundy after he rolled his ankle in training on Thursday..