Football's return will be emotional - and can be a big Sussex celebration

The Eastbourne Borough boss has been consistent in publicly asking everyone – be they football fans, players or just members of the general public – to be patient, follow advice and make sure the nation beats coronavirus.

But he knows the day when fans are allowed back into football grounds will be huge – and he hopes it will be a celebration of the wide range of teams across Sussex that supporters are able to follow.

Bloor also thinks non-league football will see bigger crowds as some fans turn their back on large crowds in packed Premier League and Football League stadiums.

Bloor said: “First and foremost we have to be respectful. What’s going on in this country, and the whole world, means football pales into insignificance, and we can’t hurry or really affect how soon football will return.

“But when it does, it will be one of the most emotional days of football ever.

“The day we are back at a ground watching football, whether it’s in the Southern Combination at Eastbourne Town or at Hastings or Lewes or Priory Lane, will be huge.

“The first game might even be our Sussex Senior Cup final. But whatever the first game is, I hope it will be a chance for everyone to really appreciate what we have.”

Clubs everywhere will need ardent support from fans when the turnstiles reopen following months of no income into club coffers, and Bloor believes the non-league game may benefit from the way the world is after the virus has passed.

“I do think crowds are our level will be up,” he said.

“The days of people being happy to get on packed trains to go to big, full stadiums will have changed. Not everyone is going to want to keep on doing that.

“I think a good number of people who have in the past given up watching their local team to go to football in London or wherever may come back and decide to get their football fix at Priory Lane or Worthing or Bognor.”

Although Borough know they will again be in National South next week, they don’t yet know whether the division will have the same line-up or welcome some new teams. Clubs and league bosses are still weighing up how to end the season – and appear no nearer a solution.