Horsham will not return to training when grassroots football resumes

Following the release of the Government’s Covid-19 roadmap on February 22, adult and children’s sport will make its long-awaited comeback.

But the Hornets will not be returning until the start of pre-season.

Di Paola said: “We won’t be training again.

“I don’t see much point in training when we don’t really need to.

“I think players will get bored by the time they get back to pre-season.

“We like pre-season friendlies but you can’t replicate that competitive element.

“I’d rather the boys set their sights on doing their own bits, coming back fitter than they did for the last season, and hopefully we can have a proper season this time.”

Last week saw the SCFL confirm a supplementary cup competition to be played through April and May.

But Di Paola was decidedly unenthused about the idea of a similar Isthmian League-run tournament.

He added: “It’s a tournament for tournament’s sake. There’s no promotion or relegation, it’s optional so some teams won’t be involved, so from my point of view I’m not bothered at all.

“Apart from getting people to play football, it’s behind closed doors so there won’t be any supporters watching.

"As we start hitting the summer months, I think people would rather have time away and be out and about and free from lockdown.”