There will be no further football played in Kent until the end of March at the earliest following announcements made on Monday afternoon.

Firstly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the nation from Downing Street, “… we need to ask you to ensure that if you or anyone in your household has one of those two symptoms, then you should stay at home for fourteen days.”

“That means that if possible, you should not go out even to buy food or essentials, other than for exercise, and in that case at a safe distance from others.”

“If necessary, you should ask for help from others for your daily necessities. And if that is not possible, then you should do what you can to limit your social contact when you leave the house to get supplies. And even if you don’t have symptoms and if no one in your household has symptoms, there is more that we need you to do now. “

“So, second, now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel. We need people to start working from home where they possibly can. And you should avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.”

In light of the above the Football Association then issued the below, “We have issued a further update regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on football in England.”

“Following the Government’s announcement today, for people to avoid social contact and gatherings where possible, we are now advising that all grassroots football in England is postponed for the foreseeable future.
 
“Throughout this period, we have taken Government advice with the priority being the health and wellbeing of all. We will continue to work closely with the grassroots game during this time.”

“We are in regular communication with the Government and the situation within English football at all levels remains under regular review. Further updates will follow as needed.”

The National League, who allowed games to be played at the weekend, were first to confirm the FA’s words in the statement that they published on their website in late afternoon.

It read, “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 3rd April 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.”

And the final “nail” in the footballing calendar came when the Management Committee of SCEFL issued the following statement through the League website at a touch after 6.00 in the evening, “Following the advice just given by the Prime Minister that “all non-essential social contact” should be avoided, it is now appropriate to suspend the league season and all fixtures scheduled up to and including Saturday 28th March 2020.”

“The Southern Counties East League will continue to monitor the situation on a regular basis using Government and FA guidance to decide if it will be appropriate to recommence after that date. Thank you for your patience in this matter but it is an ever-changing picture.”

As we face the prospect of at least three weeks without our national game, the KSN football team will endeavour to keep you fully up to date with any latest news as well as speaking to various managers, players and administrators on a regular basis until such time as we’re back playing and watching “the Beautiful Game!”

Stay safe and well everyone…