Grassroots football clubs to discuss return from lockdown next week

Non League football from Step 4 down stopped playing at the start of the second lockdown at the beginning of November. The lockdown is due to finish on December 2 but it is still unclear whether grassroots football will be able to return.

SCFL chairman Steve Nealgrove is hoping the meeting scheduled for November 26 will help clear the situation up.

'Cricket has given me a platform to talk about grief and bereavement' - former Eastbourne and Sussex cricketer Tom Smith

He said: "All Steps 5 & 6 leagues have been called to a meeting with the FA NLS on the 26th and no doubt to discuss the current situation but we will hopefully know more by then.

"But whether we have an indication from the government as to if grassroots football will be allowed to restart again on December 2 is another thing.

"I would hope that we can as clubs worked very hard to get games on within the DCMS guidelines. It was very disappointing when the government pulled the plug."

Nealgrove and the SCFL are looking to meet as well to plan the restart of grassroots football in Sussex, but if they are nnot allowed to restart, it will cause huge pressure on this season.

He said: "The SCFL are meeting soon to discuss and plan for a re-start in December and how we will approach this as there are many things to discuss on how to make the transition from no games to playing

"If the DCMS do not allow Grass roots football to re-start then it is unlikely that we will get back to playing before Christmas and that will then increase the pressure to finish the league season as we still might have to contend with weather postponements.

"If this happens then clubs could find themselves playing three times a week which is not ideal."