Post by Pete Helsby on Nov 2, 2020 17:48:11 GMT 1
Firstly, I have to mention my surprise that no one has posted the draw for the next round as yet. Im normally way behind some of the much more observant than me!!!!
We have been drawn away to Thame United in the 1st Round. This tie was due to be played on the 14th November. Officially we do not know whether Tier 3 and below has been shut down for the next 4 weeks but I would be hugely surprised if it wasn't the case. Listening to the Prime Minister's address to the House this afternoon, he has stated that there will only be a four-week lockdown by law and then will revert to the 3 tier system after the closure of the lockdown on 3rd December. From a football point of view, I very much doubt that if we then restart football from the 3rd December, clubs will be ordered by their respective leagues to commence playing on that date because clubs, in fairness, would want at least a week before allowing players to play competitive matches again. This presents the football authorities at level 3 and below a huge headache because the whole fixture list will need to be revised to accommodate not only league games postponed for four weeks but successful clubs fixtures in cup trophies. As Match/fixture secretary, I will wait with bated breath to see whether this onerous task will be handed down to all club Match Secretaries to get it sorted out or whether the leagues will bite the bullet and rehash the fixture lists themselves.
Its particularly galling that we have gone on a good run lately and after tomorrow nights game it will all grind to a halt again. I think in all honesty we knew this would happen, but it doesn't make it any easier to stomach. But as I know a little about our fan base, you will all take it in your stride and be back after the lockdown, or whenever we are given the green light to restart and your enthusiasm will not have waned one bit.
Once I have news of what is decided in the next few weeks I will try to be the first on here to announce it, I promise.
