AFC Fylde call on National League clubs to use Covid-19 testing programme

Indeed, the club would like to see its ‘internal rapid testing programme’, which sees all players and staff tested twice a week, in operation at all National League clubs.

Health fears are among the reasons cited by clubs in National League North and South for the two-week suspension of the season.

Having negotiated the first three months without significant Covid issues, the Coasters reported cases a fortnight ago.

Fylde believe the system they have introduced can help the campaign to resume and is not cost prohibitive.

They also say it provides protection and confidence in the workplace, while also identifying infection in those who are asymptomatic.

Club owner David Haythornthwaite told The Gazette: “The testing system being used in the EFL is available to us. The costs have come down dramatically and we are testing players twice a week.

“We are one of the first clubs outside the EFL to do that. You have the results in 15 minutes and the test picks up anyone who is asymptomatic.

“It costs £5.25 per test, so if you have 25 players that’s just over £130 per club for a round of testing. If you can’t afford that to test your players each week you really shouldn’t be in elite sport.

“If you asked the players, they would probably be happy paying a fiver for a test themselves. I wouldn’t be saying this if testing wasn’t easy and cost-effective but it is.”

A statement from chief executive Jonty Castle added: “Throughout the pandemic, the health and safety of our employees has been our number one priority.

“In conjunction with the strict protocols we have enforced within the workplace, the rapid testing programme is another important tool in our drive to keep staff safe, as well as giving ourselves the best possible chance to maintain fixtures and ensure the safe resumption of football in National League North.

“We believe this should be implemented across the whole of the National League system, subject to funding from the governing body.

“In the grand scheme of things, the expenditure to test our players and staff is minimal.

“We saw at the beginning of January how the EFL and PFA came together to introduce twice-weekly lateral-flow testing for all 72 clubs, and we are adamant that if we are to share the ‘elite’ status with the EFL, we too should be provided with a such a programme.”

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