AFC Blackpool secretary says season had to be scrapped despite non-league protests

AFC Blackpool operates on a 'voluntary' basis and is less worried than some North West Counties League clubs about the scrapping of the season

North West Counties Football League writes to FA as opposition grows to scrappin...

The Mechanics were mid-table in Division One North when the season was cancelled and Singleton backs the decision.

He told the Gazette: “It’s got to be called off. People are dying – you can’t play football with that scenario.

“Life is more important and the thing about it is you’ve got to stay apart from each other. The government has given us a directive to stay indoors. What alternative is there really?

“Even if AFC Blackpool were 10 points clear and had promotion in the bag almost, it would make no difference.

“If the government have given us that directive, that’s the end of it. You’ve got to be sensible about it.

“The big teams stand to lose millions because they’ve been paid and have probably spent the money.”

Despite plenty of money at the top of the game for clubs to survive this crisis, others lower down the pyramid don’t find it quite as easy.

AFC should have no such issues thanks to the voluntary nature of the club.

Singleton explained: “We’re just amateur players with families. Some of the lads can’t even get to work, never mind play football.

“We’ve got a controlled financial structure. Although we will suffer a bit, we haven’t put our head in a noose by paying out expenses.

“It’s purely a voluntary club. Anyone who plays or works behind the scenes does it as a hobby and does it free of charge.

“The electricity bills need to be paid but we’ve still got a bit of money to pay them.

“AFC Blackpool has always been an amateur football club run on a voluntary basis and that will keep us going. We all do it of our own volition.

“We haven’t lost touch with reality. What concerns me a bit is that at our level of football, all they can think about is fulfilling the fixtures and getting back playing.

“But it’s going to be a long time, you can’t be in denial.

“There are casualties all around the world. That has to be first on the agenda.

“Football is only a game. Everybody loves it but you’ve got to put it into perspective.

“This season is a write-off now because there are fatalities. You’re having to shop for each other and you can’t even see a doctor. How can players train? How can they play football?”