The lockdown period leaves local football clubs in a dormant state when it comes to the playing side but there is always activity going on behind the scenes.
Sidmouth Town are no different, with projects in the pipeline and a committee dedicated to the long-term sustainability of the football club.
In the short-term, however, safety is the only priority and chairman Sidmouth Jay Thorne conceded that there is very little chance of a conclusion to the Peninsula season, echoing the thoughts of League secretary Phil Hiscox that localised football might be the answer when the latest lockdown is over.
“We are very organised as a committee and a club, ensuring we are financially healthy and with monies in hand in case of emergency,” said Thorne. “We are in that position because the club is run properly.
“We’ve got a very strong membership, with great support and all of us on the committee are prepared for the year ahead.
“The club is always looked after and we maintain the daily running of things, such as ground improvements and security.
“We are working on the project of a new covered stand and the committee meets on a monthly basis because the club always needs looking after.
“There has been communication with the Peninsula League and it’s very obvious to everyone that the season will not be finished.
“From the perspective of Sidmouth Town, all we want to see is people playing football, particularly the youngsters, because it is so important to mental health.
“It might be that we get to March and get together with the likes of Honiton, Axminster, Exmouth, Beer, Seaton and the others in East Devon to see if we can produce some sort of competition locally, just to keep people playing.
“The key factor before anything like that can happen will be the safety of everyone involved.
“Before the FA, Peninsula League or Devon & Exeter League had confirmed the suspension, we had decided, as a club, that it was right to shut everything down because, whatever happens, the safety of our players, volunteers, officials and supporters is of paramount importance.”