Players will pick up serious injuries if football is rushed into start of new season

Lewes boss Hugo Langton fears there's a much greater risk of injuries if footballers are rushed back into competitive action / Picture: Angela Brinkhurst

The Rooks boss says teams at all levels must be given ample time for a proper pre-season that takes into account the long break players have had.

If not, there is a strong risk of players of doing serious damage and numerous clubs ending up with injury crises.

He spoke out as speculation continued over when next season would start. There are some hopes it can begin in September, but Langton said if that was going to happen, clubs would need to know very soon.

“My massive concern is player welfare,” he told the Express as he plotted the club’s new Isthmian premier season.

“Normally we have eight weeks off then a six-week pre-season. We have now had 16 weeks away from playing so using the same ratio we should have a 12-week pre-season, which isn’t going to happen.

“My plea is that we need plenty of notice. I want to do three weeks of group and individual training work, one week’s rest then six weeks of pre-season. I intend to start that tomorrow week.

“The league need to give careful consideration to player safety. We should be allowed five subs and we mustn’t have the season starting with Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday schedules. It will be too much for players”

Langton has backing from Lewes chiefs over his call for welfare to be top priority, and he echoed comments from managers including Eastbourne’s Danny Bloor that non-league football could not restart without fans.

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