Poppies' season suspended until April

Action from Kettering Town's 3-1 defeat at AFC Telford United on Saturday. The National League North season has now been suspended. Picture by Peter Short

The Vanarama National League and North and South divisions went ahead with their fixtures at the weekend despite the Premier League and Football League opting to pause things due to the coronavirus outbreak.

But today (Monday) it announced that fixtures will now be suspended meaning Kettering Town, who play in the National League North and were beaten 3-1 at AFC Telford United on Saturday, will be out of action for the next few weeks.

In a statement released this evening, the National League said: “At its board meeting on Friday, the National League decided to use its best endeavours to keep its season going in the face of unprecedented adversity

“However, with the current coronavirus (COVID-19) reaching global pandemic levels it has to accept that the situation is now out of its own control.

“In the knowledge of the government measures now announced including not to support sporting events with emergency services workers it is clearly not practical for its fixtures to be fulfilled in the immediate future.

“In those circumstances and in line with the Football Association and the Professional Game, at a board meeting today, the National League has decided that its competition is now suspended until at least April 3, 2020.

“The National League will continue to monitor the situation, but trusts that its loyal clubs, fans, players, officials, staff, volunteers and sponsors will accept that it has had no other choice but to reach this decision.

“It wishes everybody connected with the competition and indeed the whole country a safe passage through these turbulent times.”

Poppies midfielder Alistair Smith, who is on loan from Mansfield Town, missed the game at the weekend after collapsing with a fever on Saturday morning but the game at Telford went ahead after both clubs agreed to play on.

The Southern League, in which AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Corby Town compete, suspended their matches until at least March 23 on Friday.

The United Counties League, Northants Combination and Northants Senior Youth League have also followed suit.