Covid-19 pandemic could bring the careers of veteran Lancaster stars to an end

Some of Lancaster City’s veteran stars could have played their last game for the club with this season almost certain to be cancelled.
Lancaster's David Norris, left. (photo: Tony North)Lancaster's David Norris, left. (photo: Tony North)
Lancaster's David Norris, left. (photo: Tony North)

The Northern Premier League issued a statement last week that it has postponed all games across its three divisions until March 6.

And they have stated that they are in favour of having the 2020/21 campaign declared null and void with the country in the middle of an indefinite national lockdown due to the Covid-19

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

pandemic. Clubs at steps three to six in the non-league pyramid have been asked for their observations about the future of this season but ultimately the final decision rests with the FA Council.

City boss Mark Fell has already stated his strong belief that the campaign will be cancelled and admitted he is unsure of what the future holds for many members of his squad.

The Dolly Blues manager admitted one sad aspect of this season is that his players will have virtually lost a year of their careers.

And for people like 39-year-old David Norris – who turns 40 next month – 37-year-old Glenn Steel and Matty Blinkhorn (35) it could sound the death knell of their careers as footballers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fell is hopeful that will not be the case but he said: “In my head I am thinking the season is finished and the next time I am expecting to see the players again is in June for pre-season training.

“But players’ life cycles as footballers are short and I don’t know where it all leaves us and some of our more experienced players.

“Where does it leave David Norris at 40-years-old? Where does it leave Matty Blinkhorn and Glenn Steel?

"I could have a full rebuild on my hands in the summer. I might need to have one because it has taken away part of a career for a lot of these lads. In terms of football, that’s the saddest bit about it all.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think we have all missed football but we are talking about careers and how short they are anyway.

“This could be it for several players not just at our club but across the board.

“We have a few experienced players at our club – our squad does have a large age differential, but I guess that will be the same for most clubs at our level.

“What I don’t want to do is spend my summer planning, planning and planning like last year and it all counting for nothing in the end but unfortunately this is the world we live in at the moment.”