Football During the Pandemic 

The current 2020-21 season has been conflicting for numerous reasons, irregardless of what level of football you're focusing on more - although it's without saying that non league has been affected the most by the pandemic. 

Whilst I won't talk about my personal opinions on certain things, I wanted to do a blog on how I feel the season so far has gone more so on the field and any positive moments away from matches themselves (when games have gone ahead) from my point of view. Let's be honest, there's enough rubbish going on in all our lives currently for me to sit here and type a blog post about it all - whilst I realise the evident unfortunate goings on off the football pitch this season I'd like to take a few minutes just to recap the good aspects of the season so far. 

Over the last few seasons I won't kid around the fact that I was losing interest to a certain extent in the professional game, only really being properly interested in Manchester United and Ipswich Town matches (the two professional teams that I support/follow). However, during the pandemic it's given me an opportunity to watch some more professional football to pass the time, which I have enjoyed to be fair - but to me it's not the same as going to matches, whether that's your local Sunday league side, a local step 3-8 non league team and so on.

I have also enjoyed being able to purchase behind closed doors match programmes, which has filled the void of not having matches to go to at times and has provided some good insight as always to matches. As you no doubt have seen on Twitter, I have been collecting both United and Ipswich programmes over a decade now but more so during the pandemic - almost completing a full set of home programmes for both sides last season and nearly having each printed programme full stop that has been produced so far this campaign. As I speak I currently have every professional 2020-21 programme sat in front of me that I own - which I'm lucky enough to say includes a good variety of leagues and teams. 

These programmes feature (home teams only) Manchester United, West Ham United, Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Blackpool, Sunderland, Lincoln City, Bristol Rovers, Aston Villa, Europa League tournament and possibly more than that - which I can't quite remember at the moment. Yes, that's just club's programmes I've purchased since the pandemic began! 

Over the next few weeks, alongside my volunteer work for my local clubs as I'm sure you're probably aware of by now (including interviews and a special project I've been working on and will be continuing later this week), I will be producing a programme review once a week on those programmes (and non league ones) just to keep us all occupied during these testing times.

One particular thing from the games themselves that stands out to me is the resurgence of Manchester United, both towards the end of last season (as they went onto to deservedly pinch third spot with a fantastic first half of 2020) as well as recently this season - notably seeing the Red Devils go top of the Premier League in the New Year for the first time since 2013 (Sir Alex's final season).

Since the pandemic, United have reached 3 semi finals (and a fourth just prior to the pandemic) which is pleasing - even if they've lost all of those 3.

Ipswich unfortunately are enduring an inconsistent period, but in all fairness the club have had a troubling time of late due to a outbreak within the club and first team squad and did beat bottom of the league Burton away on Saturday to keep their promotion hopes still alive - even if they would be expected to win it, the result definitely gives them hope for the season and is an important one.

Down at non league level, it's extremely unfortunate but understandable that clubs below step 2 have been unable to play their games - due to reliance of supporters and gate money amongst various things for those clubs.

Although having said that, there's been positive things for non league this season, notably Marine (step 4 non league) reaching the FA Cup 3rd Round and drawing Tottenham Hotspur!

Yes they lost 5-0, but they certainly did themselves proud, huge kudos to the club for the way they played in that game and congratulations on the cup run.

Meanwhile, more local to me - some nearby teams have good reasons to be reflect positively on their season so far - even if some have only played a handful of matches so far due to circumstances that obviously nobody can do anything about really.

Beginning with Bury Town, who enjoyed a very strong FA Cup run - whilst yes they didn't quite get as far as the First Round Proper unfortunately they still enjoyed a very good run in the competition, with the step 4 Blues notably knocking higher league Nuneaton Borough out 2-1 at Ram Meadow (otherwise known as the Denny Bros Stadium) and as such have only played 4 league matches, but have won them all so far I believe and impressively too.

Bury were in the play off places last season before that was null and voided and are currently (if the season can possibly resume) looking to do that again this campaign

Bury's U18s have also began this campaign superbly well too, winning both of their league matches so far this campaign whilst also reaching the 1st Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup, dispatching both March Town United and St Margaretsbury, the latter ending in a 10-0 demolition, at home in rampant fashion before beating Kings Lynn Town away 2-1 to avenge last season's goal frenzy defeat. Certainly a highlight of 2020 for me, that's for sure!

Bury's Womens team meanwhile also see themselves in a decent position to once again challenge for promotion too.  

Whilst another club that is very important to me, Needham Market, have enjoyed a brilliant start to the season - currently sitting joint top of the league unbeaten as well as having won last season's delayed Suffolk Premier Cup and also breaking their record FA Trophy run. The latter of which ending in a fairly tight, 4-2 defeat to higher league leaders Gloucester City in a huge night for the club, in what is the only time the club has reached the Second Round Proper of the competition.

One personal highlight this year has been all the interviews I've conducted, to have spoken to such a wide variety of people is incredible and also the support the interviews have received is phenomenal - one thing I'm looking to continue ideally on a weekly basis this year. 

Meanwhile, the club's reserves continue to progress and beat previous records for the young side who play at step 6, whilst the U18s remain unbeaten with just one loss in all competitions since the start of last season - which ended in a FA Youth Cup defeat to Ware last campaign, which was also a notable achievement for the club, making it to the 1st Round Proper themselves. Even more impressively the U18s have not dropped a league point since the start of the previous campaign as well.

The club's women's teams also continue to progress in all ways possible, notably making their Women's FA Cup debut earlier this campaign. 

Then my Sunday League team, Moreton Hall Ferals, also have enjoyed a good start to the season - still in all three cup competitions available to them and still unbeaten in the league (which has been that way since the start of last season). 

To finish, I hope everybody had a good festive season (as possible in the current testing times) and are all keeping well. Hopefully we'll be back to normal sooner rather than later! Stay safe and my DMs are always open if you should ever need it - whether it's to talk about football, programme collecting or anything in general.

INTERVIEW | Keiran Morphew | Needham Market 2020-21 Season So Far Interview

Keiran Morphew Needham Market 2020-21 Season So Far Interview

Next in my series of "2020-21 Season So Far Interviews I spoke to Needham centre-back Keiran Morphew on how he feels the season has gone so far from his perspective. 

DK: First question, how do you reflect on the season so far?

KM: We had a good summer and signed some great lads who have added a lot to the group. The young lads have kicked on from last season and together we have earned some great results in the league. Especially at home while playing enjoyable football to play in and hopefully, the fans have enjoyed it too. Also was a good experience away at Gloucester to show us the level we all want to be playing at!

DK: What's been the standout team performance so far this season? 

KM: My favourite game so far is the Bromsgrove win at home. They are one of the best sides in the league with some really good players and we played them off the park and kept a clean sheet!

DK: With the season being so stop start, would you say it's been rewarding with the results on the pitch?  

KM: Yes I think while the season was going in full swing it was rewarding. We worked hard from the first session until the last and results and performances were the proof. Looks like this season might be a write off after tonight’s announcement, so back to square one in the summer!

DK: What is your standout highlight of the season?

KM: Winning the Premier Cup so far has been the standout moment. I think Lowestoft gave us our hardest game so far, which made lifting the trophy a sweeter moment!

DK: Has the season so far matched or even exceeded any targets you had before the season started?

KM: I hadn’t set targets before the season but Kev has given us belief that we can go out there and win every game and that we should be at the top of the table. I think every one has bought in to that and that has reflected so far.

DK: What was the highlight of the club's record FA Trophy run?

KM: The highlight for me was the thousand fans watching at Gloucester! It was a good trip with the lads and was good to see where we need to be to make the step up. And also beating Leiston comfortably was fun!

DK: Not only did Gloucester serve as a good test, but to have dominated the game against them for large periods must've been pleasing? 

KM: Yea I think it got to 3-0 and we thought, we have nothing to lose now otherwise it’s going to be double figures. Polly scored a great goal from a set piece we have in the locker and we grew in to the game from there. After the start it was pleasing to see all the lads playing well. 

DK: How do you reflect on the league campaign so far and being unbeaten?

KM: I think being unbeaten is the result of the hard work we put in during the summer from the staff through to the players. For example Tom has introduced the band work before training and games and I think it’s little things like that which add up and give us the advantage.

DK: What has been your favourite game this season from a personal view point?  

KM: I enjoyed the 2nd leg of the Cup final, the last 10/15 minutes we were down to 10 men, backs against the wall and every one dug deep and won our headers and tackles. I love those games haha!

DK: How pleasing has it been to have regularly played opponents off the park this season?

KM: Yea it’s great to play in. So many times over the last few seasons we have been boring to watch and not getting the right results. We might not win every game now but im certain spectators will leave having been entertained. 

DK: How do you see the season potentially being resolved, with the trident leagues announcement today?

KM: I think it will be called off and another season will be null and void unfortunately. 

DK: Hopefully though, there is always the possibility of finishing the County Cup competitions again when it is safe to do so?

KM: Well I’ve seen Mark Morsley talking about doing a round robin in Suffolk which I think sounds a good idea so I’m sure it will go ahead in the spring. 

INTERVIEW | Jake Dye 2020-21 Needham Market F.C. Season So Far | 02.01.2021

Jake Dye 2020-21 Season So Far Interview 

Over the weekend I spoke to Needham Market right-back Jake Dye, which we discussed the club's season so far including personal and team highlights of the season. 

DK: First question, how to you summarise the season so far from a team perspective?

JD: It’s been a very successful one! We’ve come on leaps and bounds and seemed to be improving each game we played. Apart from the disappointing result in the FA cup I feel we’ve been very dominant, as the table shows! Everybody has bought into what we want to achieve, and I really hope we can finish what we have started!

DK: What's been the most pleasing part of the season so far? 

JD: To be fair for me all of it! It’s been a really good atmosphere at the club and one I certainly have enjoyed playing and training in! winning the Premier cup and showing we are the best non league club in Suffolk has pleased me the most! 

DK: From a team perspective, what's been the best team performance so far this season? 

JD: That’s a hard one considering how impressive we have been, but Bromsgrove at home! Them being a big promotion favourite at the start of the season we knew, like every game, it was going to be tough! A 3-0 win and could have been more! 

DK: What's been the standout moment so far this season? 

JD: Beating our local rivals is always nice, and in the fashion we did made it even better. Again winning the premier cup, as well as making history with how far we went in the FA trophy! 

DK: It must've made it even more special for you from a personal point of view as you scored in all three of those competitions, especially with one being the winning goal to make club history in the Trophy? 

JD: Yes was definitely special and something I’ve was proud of doing! I knew the aspects of my game I needed to improve, I felt the fittest I’ve ever been coming back! Adding goals to my game and being as effective as possible going forward only helps the team! 

DK: We've discussed the goals previously but which is your favourite you've scored so far? 

JD: The Haverhill and Lowestoft goals were both special, being my first senior and my first league goal, but for me the leiston goal! The build up play for the goal was unbelievable and the occasion made it even better! 

DK: Does the season so far match any targets you had prior to the season starting from either a team or personal point of view? 

JD: I think so yes! As a team we knew the qualities we have in every area of the pitch, and the freedom we have to go and play! We never really looked too far ahead, instead concentrated on the next game and getting that job done before anything else! Personally I wanted to add goals/assists, more of a threat going forward and being as solid as possible defensively, I feel I added that to my game, but of course want to do even more, and keep improving! Consistency both personally and as a team, and i think we have had that so far! 

DK: With the season being stop start at times, would you say being unbeaten in the league and the FA Trophy run makes it feel so much more rewarding? 

JD: 100%, with the constant uncertainty makes it very rewarding! But with the characters and the players we have in the club we want even more! Being in such good form and the confidence we had going into each game, makes it equally frustrating that we haven’t had the chance to carry it on! 

DK: With the constant uncertainty, unfortunately it doesn't seem like we'll get to finish the full league season so how would you ideally like it to be resolved? 

JD: It would obviously be a huge shame to lose the hard work we have put in, but the safety and welfare of everyone, whether players, officials or supporters has to come first. With a start date yet to be announced or even discussed, it’s impossible to complete the remaining 35 league game. So maybe a mini league, in our league to then allow promotions and relegations etc, all dependant on when we can get back to action. 

DK: After how well the lads performed at Gloucester, I dare say it'd be a dream to get promoted to step two this season if possible.

JD: It was always going to be a difficult game but one the boys done very well in and proved we have the capabilities to mix it with the league above! Definitely an ambition of ours and one we hope we can carry out this season, if not in the near future! 

DK: How's the injury you picked up against Leiston healing? Has the break from action helped it heal at all? 

JD: Thankfully it wasn’t as bad as first feared. I managed to get in 4 or 5 physio/rehab sessions with Kim and Jenks before we entered tier 4, and reacted well to treatment. Managed to do some running over Christmas, so when football returns, hopefully soon, I should be fully fit and raring to go!