March and Wisbech St Mary call off games and Wisbech in meeting tonight
Senior football in Fenland is in limbo with the Government’s new coronavirus tier system coming into effect tomorrow (Wednesday).
Although Cambridgeshire has been placed in Tier 2, where spectators can attend football matches, current restrictions do not allow for the serving of refreshments – which make up a large part of match day income for many clubs.
It is hoped this matter may be resolved soon, after talks between the FA and the Government and between clubs and Fenland District Council, but it is too late for an immediate return to football.
Wisbech St Mary have cancelled their trip to Sheringham on Saturday and March Town have called off their home game against Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday, December 12.
Wisbech Town, meanwhile, were never likely to play this weekend.
Although they are in Tier 2, all other Pitching In Northern Premier League South East Division clubs, apart from Market Drayton, are in Tier 3 – which means no fans are allowed in games.
All Step 4 leagues are due to meet online tonight (Tuesday) to discuss the resumption of football, with Wisbech intending to vote against starting until crowds are allowed and refreshments can be served.
It seems the Fenmen will be without action for some time, unless the Government changes the rules governing spectators attending Tier 3 fixtures.
Grassroots football such as the Cambridgeshire County League and Peterborough League can start again this weekend, although there may be some re-jigging of fixtures in the latter league as some of their members are in Tier 3 Lincolnshire.
March manager Arran Duke said his players just want to get out on the pitch again, but he realised the financial ramifications of not being allowed to serve refreshments.
“Our board has decided to wait until the December 16 review to see if restrictions are lifted slightly in that respect.
“It’s not just about what happens on the pitch, we have to function as a football club.”
With the second national lockdown finishing today (Wednesday), March will start training again and Duke was hopeful his side will be able to fulfil their Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League Division One North fixture at Great Yarmouth Town on Saturday, December 19.
Wisbech St Mary manager Stuart Beckett said the club decided to cancel all its December fixtures as officials were worried about the close proximity of the club to Tier 3 areas and the amount of COVID-19 cases in Fenland.
After consulting with players, it was then decided they would start their league campaign again after all, but Saturday’s planned opponents Sheringham had already been handed an alternative fixture against Sudbury Reserves.
Beckett said the Saints do plan to entertain fellow strugglers Cornard United in an Eastern Counties League Division One North Division relegation six-pointer next Saturday, December 12.
The players will be back in training this week and Beckett added: “We don’t get the large crowds some teams get so it’s not as if we need to make lots of money through selling cups of tea and bottles of beer in order to generate enough money to pay players.
“It doesn’t hurt us too much financially if we play or not.”