Peterborough Sports boss: ‘We should all be out there playing competitively as soon as possible. If football doesn’t make you feel good, play something else’

The country comes out of lockdown on December 2, but Sports won’t be back in competitive action until travelling to Southern League rivals AFC Rushden & Diamonds in a first round FA Trophy tie on December 8, even though December 5 falls on a Saturday.

Dean has arranged friendlies at Bedford Town on December 2 and at neighbours Yaxley on December 5 to get his team in shape for a tough Trophy test.

Sports were in excellent form prior to the November 5 lockdown. They are currently 12th in the Southern League Central Division, but have lost just one match and have games in hand on all bar one team above them.

The League gave teams the option of re-starting on December 5 or December 12 and most have opted for the latter date.

“I just don’t get it,” Dean, whose family have been self-isolating after a brush with coronavirus, stated. “We finished last season early, endured five months of lockdown in the summer and another month just now.

“We should all be out there playing competitively as soon as possible.

“Football is a great release from the stresses and strains of life. Playing football should make you feel good and if it doesn’t then perhaps you should do something else.

“We just want to get out there playing again. It’s not because we are in good form as no-one can make that claim after a month off, it’s because it’s what we all love doing.

“We tried to get Royston to play a league game on December 5, but they declined and then we tried to move the Trophy tie forward to the Saturday, but we couldn’t.

“This is not just aimed at clubs in our league though as it seems to be the same nationwide.

“We have a social responsibility as well. We give people something to look forward to and in the current climate that shouldn’t be under-estimated.”

Sports are expecting no changes to the crowd restrictions at the Bee Arena.

Before lockdown they were able to operate at 30% of capacity which equates to 565 fans.

Sports are back at home in Central Premier Division action against Alvechurch on Saturday, December 12.

“I’m telling the players to treat the Bedford and Yaxley games as competitive matches,” Dean added.

“The players have all been given work to do during lockdown and I will see what sort of shape they are in when we play the friendlies.

“I’ll probably give them all 60 minutes each in both games and then pick a team for the Trophy tie based on those two performances.

“I’d expect them all to be up for the friendlies as much as I am.”

Bedford and Yaxley play in Southern League Central Division One.

Yaxley are 15th and are due back in league action at AFC Dunstable on Tuesday, December 8.