By now, most of you will have heard of the decision announced by our governing body, the FA, this afternoon that all grassroots (step 7) football for the 2019/20 season is concluded, with the recommendation that all results are expunged. This means that with great sadness there will be no more football played in the Colchester and District Sunday Football League until the 2020/21 season commences, which at this moment in time is scheduled for September.

I appreciate this news will be hugely disappointing for everyone given all of the work and time put in over the past 8 months or more. Please be assured the League Management Committee (LMC) share that disappointment, but given the impact that COVID 19 has already had on our way of life, family, work and friends these past few weeks, together with the legislation delivered by the Government, there is probably no other option, especially when the future is still largely unknown.

I also appreciate that you and your players will probably have questions as a result of this announcement. Over the next week or so, the LMC will be debating several points which obviously have to include next season and the fair and correct methods about how this is achieved. We also are awaiting details of a consultation with Essex FA as they continue to offer support and advice.

Therefore please could you allow us some time to come back to you with answers, especially with all of the non-football challenges we all face at the moment. If you wish, you may email Elsie Hewitt, the League Secretary with any questions you may have, but please be patient in that we will not be able to deliver an immediate answer.

Kind regards, Jon Burns

League Chairman

Very sadly Fordham Athletic withdrew from the league in early March, and with the process completed the Premier Division table has been adjusted accordingly. Under Rule 22(D) as they had completed more than 75% of their fixtures, the points were awarded to their two remaining opponents – Romania Athletic and Vikings Flag

Just in case some teams were thinking of playing “friendlies”, which is against all of the Government advice for social interaction of course, be warned that until such time that the FA allows grassroots football to start again, if there is a serious injury to a player or third party, you will find that your Public Liability Insurance and Clubs Personal Accident Insurance will not provide cover