Peterborough football is finally beaten by the coronavirus

Those local leagues that saw some action at the weekend - the Northern Premier League, the United Counties League, the Peterborough League, the Peterborough Youth League, the Peterborough Sunday Morning League, the Peterborough & District Junior Alliance League and the Cambs Womens and Girls Leagues - will now follow the latest advice from the UK Government to avoid social interaction.

Wendy Newey, speaking on behalf of the Peterborough League said: “Having listened to the first briefing by the Prime Minister regarding the current status of the cronavirus the League Directors and myself have taken the responsible decision to pause the League until further notice. We are pausing the league rather than suspending, with an end date, so that we can react to changing circumstances better than if we keep moving the end date.

“The main reasons for pausing the League is that are by playing or facilitating football we are furthering social interaction, which has been recommended to be avoided, and which the playing of football would have encouraged. The second reason is that our clubs, many of whom are assisted by an ageing workforce, may not also have sufficient resounces to continue. People over the age of 70 will by the end of the week be subjected to a ‘lengthy stay at home policy’.

“I ask you all to stay safe during this pandemic, do as we are all told by keeping your distance or avoiding social contact so that we can overcome this virus quicker.

“The staff will be working from home and can be contact via email or phone as list on the Peterborough League app.

“Thank you for your patience and support.”