WHEN Whitchurch Alport players trooped off the pitch dejectedly after the recent 4-2 defeat at Irlam, no-one could have predicted what lay ahead.

Within days the North West Counties Football League had suspended the 2019-2020 season until further notice.

It is hard to imagine any other scenario than the campaign being scrapped altogether.

Either way, it is likely to be some time before Alport kick another football in earnest and there is a distinct possibility that some of the teams the Reds faced in the Premier Division will fold, such is the financial impact likely to be felt throughout non-league.

These are troubling and unprecedented times with government guidelines changing daily as the coronavirus takes hold on a global scale.

A week ago, no-one had heard the term ‘social distancing’ but like many local businesses, Yockings Park was forced to close its Cadstones Clubhouse doors on Friday following another update from the government.

Whitchurch Alport FC now finds itself in unchartered waters with no means of generating income after all events planned at the club had to be cancelled.

All of this is secondary of course with people’s health the only topic that matters and club officials wish their players, volunteers and supporters – and their families – good health through the duration of this pandemic.