Poppies boss Cox calls for 'proper decision' over coronavirus

Despite numerous governing bodies around the world, including the Premier League and Football League, choosing to halt matches in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the National League decided to allow games to proceed as normal this weekend.

Nonetheless, a number of matches were still called off with clubs reporting players going down with illness and being placed in self isolation.

The Poppies were beaten 3-1 in their Vanarama National League North clash at AFC Telford United but it came after midfielder Alistair Smith dropped out of the squad having collapsed with a high fever this morning (Saturday).

The game still went ahead with the agreement of both clubs and Cox refused to make excuses for what he described as a “poor performance” from his team over the 90 minutes.

However, Kettering are due to be back in action against Guiseley at Latimer Park on Tuesday night and manager Cox is now fearful that more members of his squad will come down with whatever illness Smith may have.

But he insists there is an even bigger issue than that to be dealt with.

The Poppies boss said: “There was a strange feel about the day, it has been a bit surreal if I am being totally honest.

“I got the call from Ali this morning and he said he had collapsed and he had a really high fever.

“And then, on the way to our game, we were hearing of games being called off right, left and centre in our league and the National League at midday.

“I told the referee about it and they gave us the opportunity to call it off but Telford wanted to play and, in truth, so did we because there were a lot of people who had paid money.

“It was a poor performance from us and I haven’t said that very often but I think this thing is bigger than sport to be honest.

“I am actually surprised that we were one of the few leagues in world football that are still competing. I thought it was a strange call to start with.

“I think people need to take a serious look at it. We are talking about the health of people.

“A big decision needs to be made. Ali has been training with our boys, he’s been sharing cars and this illness that he has, whatever it is, is going to be in our camp now. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we get more cases.

“There are bigger things than football and the National League have got to make a proper decision.

“We can’t say we are going along with it and then teams are calling games off. A proper decision needs to be made and we all need to adhere to it.

“Our players weren’t questioning their own health but what they might pass on to their elderly loved ones. Matty Taylor, for example, his grandad up in Harrogate is very poorly and going through chemotherapy.

“So it’s not just about our health, we have to look at the bigger picture.

“Whether it’s a case of getting through it or stopping for a while, that’s a decision that has to be made. But you can’t say the leagues are on and then half the teams turn up and half of them don’t.”