FOOTBALL managers are envisaging further Covid-19 enforced changes to their fixture lists after three clubs had positive cases.
Mossley, Hyde United and Denton Town have all experienced postponements after players and staff contracted coronavirus.
Others had to self-isolate under Track and Trace protocol, leading to postponements.
And in Denton Town’s case, the imposition of tier three regulations has meant changes to their fixture list as the Cheshire League will not let teams from areas under those rules travel to ones under tier two and vice-versa.
Mossley had two Northern Premier League matches against Pontefract Collieries and Dunston postponed after a member of the backroom team tested positive and others had to isolate.
And Seel Park boss David Fish believes Covid-19 will make it a stop-start season.
He said: “We have already seen many Covid-related postponements in our league, and they will happen continually.
“We have teachers in our squad, and it seems inevitable they are going to catch it.”
When the individual was found to have coronavirus, the tracing went back several days which included the trip to Workington.
“With something like this you have to air on the side of caution. We have had quite a number of players and staff who needed to self-isolate,” Fish continued.
Even though Tameside is now in tier three of the Government restrictions, football at Northern Premier League level and below can continue.
But with the number of postponements having already taken place, Fish believes it will be “unlikely” the season will be completed.
He added: “The key remains the ability of fans to come to watch games.
“There is no way we could continue if games were played behind closed doors and in that case the league would have to be suspended.”
Meanwhile, Denton Town were forced to postpone their home match against Parklands after having to close down for 10 days.
Three team members have tested positive for coronavirus and joint manager Phill Cooper admitted the Cheshire League, league one side was left with little choice.
And after a Cheshire League decision, their match at Malpas in Cheshire on October 24 was switched to them facing Greater Manchester-based Partington Village.
For the time being they will also take on Maine Road Reserves, Ashton Athletic and Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves because of the restrictions.
There is even talk of divisions being broken down and regionalised if the rules are still in place when all five have faced each other twice.
Phill told The Correspondent: “We had three players test positive and another five who had to self-isolate for 10 days from the positive tests after being in close contact with them, things like travelling in the same car.
“It took us totally by surprise but as a club we’re doing what we can. That’s why the decision to shut down was made, no training and no matches.
“It’s affected other clubs too, they’ve had to shut down for two or three weeks.”
Hyde United themselves had to shut the club down, with players doing their own training routines at home.
Two positive tests meant the postponement of Northern Premier League, premier division matches at home against Whitby Town and Witton Albion at Ewen Fields, as well as the away game at Nantwich Town.
A statement from the club said: “Hyde United have put significant procedures in place to ensure the safety of all players, staff and visitors to the club to minimise risk and our assessments are constantly reviewed.
“Unfortunately, this can only minimise risk and not eliminate it completely.
“This is another opportunity to remind everyone that anyone displaying symptoms should self-isolate and obtain a Covid-19 test immediately.
“Also, please follow the NHS guidance regarding hand hygiene, the wearing of face coverings and observing social distancing – keep yourselves, your family and your community safe.”
And one person not surprised it had happened was manager Dave McGurk, who told The Correspondent he knew it would happen sooner or later.
He said: “I don’t prepare for it but it’s going to happen.
“You have to do what’s best for people, not just get them on the pitch. There’s a bigger scenario there.
“At this level all you can say to players is, ‘We need to know. We can’t take that chance.’ That’s why there’s going to be some games that will fall by the wayside this season.”