Note that this page is from our archive during the time when the club was called Gresley FC. It may not be related to the old Gresley Rovers.
Midland League Statement
Further to the communication of yesterday regarding the Coronavirus crisis, and following the Premier League and EFL deciding to pause the season until April 9th the MFL have taken advice from the FA who informed us today that it is each League’s decision as to what approach it wishes to take, so each league at Steps 5 & 6 will do what it believes best for its member clubs.
Accordingly, and in common with the National League and Northern Premier League, the MFL’s board has decided that all matches will go ahead this weekend, with future fixtures being reviewed on Monday 16th March.Our primary concern, as always, is to protect the financial stability of our clubs. This means playing as many games as we can, so long as clubs wish to do so. This is not contrary to the League’s and clubs’ duty of care considerations to players, officials or supporters but, in a season where clubs have been severely impacted by weather-related postponements, the NPL board believes that pausing the season right now would prove disastrous for many clubs. The situation is changing daily, so our approach to Covid-19 must be flexible, recognising the very genuine concerns around the health of players, officials and supporters.
The League has consistently urged clubs to follow government advice, which is that football matches should go ahead as planned for now. Having carefully weighed up all options, and mindful that we are between a rock and a hard place on this issue, all MFL matches will therefore go ahead as planned this weekend unless a club is directly affected by players, referees or volunteers who are self-isolating or have serious concerns.
Please refer to the FA’s guidance notes, issued earlier this week. If an infection occurs, or is suspected within a team group, government advice should be followed and the individuals with whom the victim is in direct contact should be advised to self-isolate. In these cases, details should be provided to the League soonest and affected games will be postponed. No club may simply call a game off; that is a decision for the League alone, however all requests will be dealt with sympathetically.
We have requested urgent advice from the FA with regard to the impact of any short or medium term implications for payments to any contract players. As soon as we receive this guidance, it will be issued to all clubs.
In closing, the League acknowledges this is not a decision that will meet with universal approval. Although our current stance may have to be reviewed as events escalate, it will be business as usual for as long as possible.
Kind regards
Nigel Wood
Secretary
Midland Football League
