Worksop Town boss says it is hard for non-league to re-start without fans

The Premier League resumed on Wednesday night with the Championship recommencing on the weekend as “Project Restart” attempts to finish the 2019/20 season.

The Northern Premier League South East Division – Worksop’s league – was null and voided several weeks after COVID-19 brought football to a halt, with no word currently on when the new league season will begin.

Parry has stated that Non-League clubs would struggle without people coming through the gates, believing social distancing would be able to be carried out.

“I think it would be very difficult for Non-League to start without crowds,” said Parry.

“I think for Non-League clubs, the money that they get through the turnstiles is vital – it is live and die sometimes – so I cannot see why we would get started without the fans there.

“Because the crowds are less than the professional level, there is more space to do social distancing with the seating and standing areas.

“Everyone is professional enough and mature enough to respect that, so I can’t see any reason why at Non-League level, we can’t get the fans in and keep a good social distance and abide by the rules so we can all keep safe and healthy.

“I think a lot of other managers and a few people inside our club are suggesting that October might be a likely start date.

“I know that might be a good starting point and whether we have less cup games or more midweek fixtures or whatever the solution is then I do think that October would be a good point to have everything in that is manageable and have a good, competitive season.

“There are rumours that this week may have some news and have some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting back from a Non-League perspective.

“The Premier League and the Championship’s return gives us a little bit of hope and it is good to see that English football is back – we have to just keep looking at it week-by-week and see how it all develops.”

Parry was appointed as manager of the Tigers during the pandemic and has been forced to build and prepare his side during the lockdown period.

The former Pontefract Collieries boss has revealed that his squad have maintained individual training to make sure that they are ready for the next year.

Parry added: “Players have been training individually and people have been working with PT’s [Personal Trainers] to make sure that once we are all back together, they are fit and sharp to ensure that they are in good shape for us to make a start.

“We have split the squad into groups and on Tuesday and Saturday we will be meeting them once again to have a little group chat before they start any workouts and we will monitor their weights and how they are living right and keeping themselves in check.

“This all ensures that when we are ready to go back, then they are raring to go and that we are not carrying any passengers from day one.”

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