THE prospect of the non-league football season being played to a finish now appears to have gone beyond remote. There are still those of the persuasion, however, that players’ will to avoid a second consecutive null-and-void season would see them power through what would be an extraordinary fixture backlog. In the North West Counties League Premier Division, for example, some teams have played as little as three matches – leaving a staggering 35 to fit in between the as-yet-unknown date “non-elite” sport will be permitted again under Covid rules and the end of May. 1874 Northwich are uniquely qualified to talk about the massive physical effort that would take, having done something similar during the 2017-18 season.
THE upcoming derby clash between 1874 Northwich and Northwich Victoria has been postponed. The neighbours were due to meet at Townfield on Monday in what would have been both sides first North West Counties League match since the league restarted. However, 1874 released a statement this morning confirming the board had agreed to call the fixture off at an emergency meeting last night – an action supported by Vics and the league. With Cheshire now due to move into Tier 3 Covid restrictions on Boxing Day, the number of spectators allowed inside Townfield would have been reduced from 300 to 150 – none of which would have been away supporters.