Kettering Town's game called off due to Covid-19 outbreak

Kettering Town’s Vanarama National League North match with Southport today (Saturday) has been postponed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Poppies squad.

The news was confirmed by the Poppies and Southport on social media this morning.

It was revealed earlier this week that a Kettering player had tested positive for the virus and club legend Brett Solkhon subsequently confirmed it was him and that he was self-isolating.

In his weekly YouTube video message to fans, Poppies owner Ritchie Jeune confirmed seven more players had been tested and come back negative but that some members of the backroom staff had produced positive test.

The Northants Telegraph understands one of those to have tested positive is manager Paul Cox.

The Poppies released an official statement which said: "The club is disappointed to announce that today’s fixtures against Southport has had to be postponed.

"Following a positive Covid test, earlier in the week, protocol was followed and the first team squad, management team and backroom staff were asked to self-test and isolate.

"At the time of making this decision we have had one inconclusive result within the playing squad and one positive result within the management team.

"Whilst all other results received so far have been negative, however the club is still awaiting multiple results for the playing squad.

"Our Chief Medical Officer has been in regular contact with the League’s Medical Officer and it was agreed that as a direct consequence of the delayed results, and in line with Public Health England and league protocols, there was no option but to postpone this fixture for the health and safety of all involved.

"We would like to publicly thank Southport and the league for their support in making this decision and wish everyone who has tested positive a speedy recovery."

In his video, Jeune said: “I don’t believe this will be the last time Covid touches the club during this pandemic.

“People have to go out and work and interact with people and even when you’re doing the right things like wearing your mask when you’re moving around, you still have to interact with people on some level and there’s no way of 100 per cent being sure.

“If you don’t have symptoms why would you not go somewhere? It’s one of those things, we have to deal with it.”

In their statement, Southport said: “Today’s Vanarama National League North match has been postponed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 within the Kettering Town squad.

“All players and staff were tested but sadly not all results had been confirmed by 8:30 this morning. We will announce the rearranged date in due course.”