Bolton and Bradford Off due to Covid

[ahw01]

https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2020/d ... statement/

[Born again Bill]

Bugger , just as we were on a great run but safety of player and staff is more important !

[AndyReifman]

Realistically it was only a matter of time. Hope all the best to all who may have been exposed.

[lancaster shrimp]

Sincerely hope I'm wrong but does anyone think this season will finish with the amount of new cases/games been postponed?

[Screenster]

Sincerely hope I'm wrong but does anyone think this season will finish with the amount of new cases/games been postponed?

I think the season will finish but wouldn't be surprised if it was pushed back a few weeks. I think Covid postponements will start to dry up towards the end of winter in line with the increase in vaccinations and with what I perceive to be a "seasonal" effect as is the case with other respiratory diseases.

[Slanester]

Really disappointing, but was always on the cards. Some things are more important than football though, and it is the right decision.

[Born again Bill]

Because we played Grimsby last Saturday does that mean they should be isolating too ?

[Freez]

We did wonder as on Boxing Day, DA took the pre match warm up on the pitch, Les, John Mac, Chris Squirrel and Howsey’s lad were all missing so perhaps there was a hint then?
Right thing to do, but to add on to the best cup run in years, best away draw in the history of the club, our best run of form in years is halted by this infernal virus it’s very frustrating.
However, back in training on 5th, so hopefully we can still get that game on. Chelsea have no game either as City game is off at the weekend, so same for both sides!!

[Born again Bill]

Is there any ruling to say we will have to have a COVID test prior to playing the premiership divas in the FA Cup ?

[Andy D]

Just look at it like a Winter break Managers cry out for.

[Wild Bill]

Bit disappointing but it was bound to happen at some point.

Probably time for a proper winter break for all football or at least at lower levels. It will help reduce the spread and might mean more games can be played with fans if rearranged for the spring or early summer.

[KenH]

Bit disappointing but it was bound to happen at some point.

Probably time for a proper winter break for all football or at least at lower levels. It will help reduce the spread and might mean more games can be played with fans if rearranged for the spring or early summer.

The way the infection rate is rising, I don't think it will be the only time.

Yes, a winter break would be good. I think having early January off would be ideal, i.e. play the New Years Day match and then have a couple of weeks off. Plenty of "spare" Tuesdays in the run up to Easter once the cup games are out of the way to fit in a couple of extra fixtures.

[Wild Bill]

Yes, if these two fixtures get arranged for a Tuesday at the end of the season we might even get to attend.

[marky No.1]

League One: Seven of Tuesday's 12 games off because of Covid-19 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55470632

[RedRedWine]

With COVID in the camp reputedly on Boxing Day (multiple backroom staff absent) following the trip to Colchester United, Saturday must've been touch and go.

I assume the players and staff will all be tested to play Chelsea for that game to go ahead (Tottenham paid for testing of Leyton Orient earlier in the season, resulting in the O's forfeiting the match), so isolating now to prevent more infection amongst the players is prudent given the financial implications of that game not going ahead..... even if the tie doesn't generate the big pay day it might've done in previous years, there's still some TV money coming our way if the game goes ahead. Unfortunate that our league campaign is suspended, given how well we have been playing (4 straight league wins - first time since Aug-16, 4 straight home league wins - first time since 2010)

I did see rumours that the league will be looking to punish an EFL club that has breached guidelines on coach travel (should be using multiple coaches) and separate rooms for overnight stays (no sharing hotel rooms) for away games - hopefully that isn't the Shrimps! To be honest, both of those restrictions do seem to be a big financial burden for all clubs at our level - perhaps that's why games are kicking off earlier for midweek games to avoid overnight stays entirely?

[Wild Bill]

I did see rumours that the league will be looking to punish an EFL club that has breached guidelines on coach travel (should be using multiple coaches) and separate rooms for overnight stays (no sharing hotel rooms) for away games - hopefully that isn't the Shrimps! To be honest, both of those restrictions do seem to be a big financial burden for all clubs at our level - perhaps that's why games are kicking off earlier for midweek games to avoid overnight stays entirely?

This is just another reason to have a winter break. Seems mad to expect clubs with no real income to send two coaches and pay for double the hotel rooms when these matches could be played later in the year when things are a lot better all round. It's not like any of our players are going to be playing in the Euros so why not run the season for another month? It would still give time to get the play-offs wrapped up before contracts expire and start the new season in September.

[Born again Bill]

With COVID in the camp reputedly on Boxing Day (multiple backroom staff absent) following the trip to Colchester United, Saturday must've been touch and go.

I assume the players and staff will all be tested to play Chelsea for that game to go ahead (Tottenham paid for testing of Leyton Orient earlier in the season, resulting in the O's forfeiting the match), so isolating now to prevent more infection amongst the players is prudent given the financial implications of that game not going ahead..... even if the tie doesn't generate the big pay day it might've done in previous years, there's still some TV money coming our way if the game goes ahead. Unfortunate that our league campaign is suspended, given how well we have been playing (4 straight league wins - first time since Aug-16, 4 straight home league wins - first time since 2010)

I did see rumours that the league will be looking to punish an EFL club that has breached guidelines on coach travel (should be using multiple coaches) and separate rooms for overnight stays (no sharing hotel rooms) for away games - hopefully that isn't the Shrimps! To be honest, both of those restrictions do seem to be a big financial burden for all clubs at our level - perhaps that's why games are kicking off earlier for midweek games to avoid overnight stays entirely?

Following on from Orient having to forfeit their game here’s one for you , what happens on the 9th of Jan we are clear of COVID but Chelsea have to isolate . Will they be forced to forfeit the game ....mmmm ?

[BerlinWaller]

Andy Holt has tweeted that for Stanley to complete their fixtures, they will have to play a game every 4 days from now until the end of the season.

[black morse]

With COVID in the camp reputedly on Boxing Day (multiple backroom staff absent) following the trip to Colchester United, Saturday must've been touch and go.

I assume the players and staff will all be tested to play Chelsea for that game to go ahead (Tottenham paid for testing of Leyton Orient earlier in the season, resulting in the O's forfeiting the match), so isolating now to prevent more infection amongst the players is prudent given the financial implications of that game not going ahead..... even if the tie doesn't generate the big pay day it might've done in previous years, there's still some TV money coming our way if the game goes ahead. Unfortunate that our league campaign is suspended, given how well we have been playing (4 straight league wins - first time since Aug-16, 4 straight home league wins - first time since 2010)

I did see rumours that the league will be looking to punish an EFL club that has breached guidelines on coach travel (should be using multiple coaches) and separate rooms for overnight stays (no sharing hotel rooms) for away games - hopefully that isn't the Shrimps! To be honest, both of those restrictions do seem to be a big financial burden for all clubs at our level - perhaps that's why games are kicking off earlier for midweek games to avoid overnight stays entirely?

Following on from Orient having to forfeit their game here’s one for you , what happens on the 9th of Jan we are clear of COVID but Chelsea have to isolate . Will they be forced to forfeit the game ....mmmm ?

You're not saying that there might be one rule for one and different rule for another surely?
Seriously, I think now that they have decided on that approach they can hardly change it no matter who is the loser......can they?

[Keith]

Following on from Orient having to forfeit their game here’s one for you , what happens on the 9th of Jan we are clear of COVID but Chelsea have to isolate . Will they be forced to forfeit the game ....mmmm ?

You're not saying that there might be one rule for one and different rule for another surely?
Seriously, I think now that they have decided on that approach they can hardly change it no matter who is the loser......can they?

That would be hilarious! Morecambe in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time ever, because Chelsea failed to fulfil the fixture! I would imagine they have protocols in place to split the squad up rather than train together, so perhaps the reserves would play us if the first team had COVID-19 rather than forfeit the game? Strange times.

[redrobo]

IF that did happen it would mean that our favourite Chelsea fan would miss out 'big time' on an insiders view of the Bridge....

Seriously if it forced Orient to forfeit their tie then the same would have to apply to either ourselves or Chelsea or does it only apply to the home team...

[Wild Bill]

Do you still get a winner's payment if Chelsea bail?

[RapidShrimp]

Do you still get a winner's payment if Chelsea bail?

We’d progress to the next round IF that happened so I presume so.