Season Set For September Restart

Rugby Town's league campaign is set to begin again in September after the FA's plan to restart grassroots football was approved by the Government last week.

Football was suspended back in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the season was null and voided but now non-league football has been given the go-ahead with friendlies allowed from August behind closed doors and competitive fixtures from September back in front of fans again.

Exact details of league line-ups and competition start dates are still to be confirmed but it at least gives Carl Adams the opportunity to plan for the new season.

The squad has recently restarted team training after the prolonged break and now they have a new date to work towards for the first pre-season game against Gresley on 11th August.

Valley director Neil Melvin welcomed the news of football returning: "We are delighted that football is back on the horizon - Carl, Justin and the squad are raring to get back on the pitch and continue from where we left off in March and fight for that top spot.

"Carl is hopeful of keeping almost all of last season's squad and he has his eye on one or two new faces too."

Full details on how matchdays will be for supporters are still to be confirmed but it will likely involve increased sanitation and social distancing measures.

Melvin continued: "It won't quite be football at Butlin Road as we know it as there will be a number of measures we have to implement to make sure everyone can enjoy their matchday whilst keeping as safe as possible in the current climate.

"We've been working hard to get ready for the return of football and there is still a lot of work for us to do to make sure we are ready".