With illness rife and lockdowns repeated in full force., leagues were compelled to abandon fixtures in mid-season. A truly awful scenario.
One of the worst hit clubs were Herefordshire village outfit Wellington FC. They were impacted so badly that they were made to pull out of the Hellenic League and FA Vase at the start of 2021/22.
It took Wellington three years to gain promotion back to Hellenic circles for this season. A lengthy and arduous recovery road.
I drove down to their Kensal Ground last month and after witnessing a 3-0 victory against Cheltenham Saracens in Hellenic League Division One, I discussed the club's fall and subsequent rise with chairman Phil Smith.
"Covid-19 obstructed us in having a clear run at our fixtures," he said.. "The Hellenic League was cut short on two occasions. The first campaign saw 21 games played and the second only nine. We had to totally rethink our plans.
"Time was taken up with potentially 'Covid conformance', risk assessments and social distance segregation. The changing rooms were out of bounds and use of our base at the village social club was prohibited.
Denne historien er fra November 17, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra November 17, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CURRAN HAUNTS NASH 3 AGAIN! FER FOOTBAL GROUP
Savage delight as Macc hold nerve
WILL'S BRACE SPOT ON FOR LIONS'TITLE BID
WILL Longbottom's second-half brace from the penalty spot saw Guiseley beat Hebburn Town - a result which saw them leapfrog the Hornets in the play-off places.
CLARKE ENJOYS INSTANT IMPACT!
Returning boss sees Reds clinch late win
JACKSON STUNNER BOOSTS CLARETS
FARNHAM Town staged a second-half fightback to further cement their position at the top of the Isthmian South Central.
WELLIES ARE ON THE UP AGAIN!
THE terrible Coronavirus outbreak decimated Non-League football in many ways.
BRETT BAGS A QUICK SWITCH
Munyard joins Jammers after Regent
BEES HIT BACK IN CAPITAL THRILLER
NICKE Kabamba scored two penalties inside three second-half minutes as high-flying Barnet fought back to edge out London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller at Victoria Park.
NOR'S THE MERRIER FOR LATICS
SLICK Oldham Athletic cantered to a resounding victory over Tamworth - but boss Micky Mellon and his management are still demanding more!
JOE'S GOT ROBINS IN THE ZONE!
FREE-SCORING Altrincham made it five matches unbeaten as they comfortably beat struggling Southend United to close in on the playoff spots.
SHAYMEN ARE HOTI TO TROT
TEN-MAN Yeovil Town found FC Halifax unbreachable Town despite concerted efforts as the Shaymen edged this battle of National League play-off contenders at Huish Park.
