Wick are up for the cup if Southern Combination teams are keen

Wick FC chairman David Phillips has welcomed the government’s decision to allow non-league football to return from lockdown at the end of next month.
Wick chairman David PhillipsWick chairman David Phillips
Wick chairman David Phillips

And he anticipates a series of competitive matches being played before the end of the interrupted 2020/21 campaign.

The Southern Combination League division one season was cut short in December and won't resmue.

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But there are preliminary plans to introduce a cup contest with group and knockout stages based on the Champions League and Europa League systems.

“It was sad but understandable that the government shut down football at our level but it is important to make the most of the opportunities ahead of us,” said Phillips.

“Grassroots football can return on March 29 and that’s excellent news. We are already looking at ways of playing friendly matches as soon as possible so that we are in perfect condition to take up the challenge presented by any cup competition that may take place, whatever the format.

“I believe it is important to play matches instead of scrapping the season altogether so clubs have a foundation for the 21/22 campaign and it will be a give a lift to everyone who has missed the beautiful game.

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“All of us connected with the Dragons are excited by the prospect of picking up the slack after the enforced break and playing in front of fans especially as we were hitting our stride in the league before it was postponed.

“The league committee are meeting this week and we will fully respect the league decision as it’s such a challenge to finalise these details.”

In truth, this week’s government announcements about the return of sport did little to help clubs at SCFL level save their league season. With no football activity before March 29 and no fans allowed until May, that left it hard to see how the non-league season could survive, and the FA confirmed on Wednesday night it was being curtailed.