Staveley boss Brett Marshall says side will not return to training until a clear season re-start date is in place

Staveley boss Brett Marshall says his side will not return to training until they have a firm re-start date in place.
Brett Marshall says Staveley will only return to training when they have a clear start date for the new season. Photo By James Williamson.Brett Marshall says Staveley will only return to training when they have a clear start date for the new season. Photo By James Williamson.
Brett Marshall says Staveley will only return to training when they have a clear start date for the new season. Photo By James Williamson.

A number of clubs across the non-league pyramid have returned to light training following the ongoing easing of lockdown restrictions.

But Marshall insists the Trojans will not be one of them.

“We have not started training, I am all about having a clear picture before I plan,” he said.

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“We were planning to start pre-season just before the end of June, ready to start for 1st August.

“I do not think we will start on 1st August and my plans will not differ.

“I don’t want to get the lads in for three or four weeks and then be told the season will start in January.

“We have got to be sensible and do things right. It is very difficult, I get that the lads have not been together.

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“You also have to think, especially at our level, that people are travelling a long distance and I have to take that into consideration.

“A lot come from Doncaster and beyond and they would all have to come in separate cars,where they would normally be three or four a car.

“We all want to get back to training, but to get in pre-season now is difficult. If you can’t play a competitive game you are just running.”

Speculation has grown this week that clubs, leagues and the FA are currently working together for a planned 1st September restart date.

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But Marshall does not believe the new season will start before 1st October at the earliest.

“I don’t know how you can start a game of football if social distancing is still in place,” he said.

“A lot of people are getting bored and guessing when things will start.

“I realistically cannot see the season starting before 1st Oct, you cannot play football if social distancing is still in place.

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“It is going to be a different campaign, certainly a different entry to the campaign.

“The players have all had contact from me, I have spoken to a couple of new players but it’s very difficult, doing things over the phone is not ideal.

“I have always been the same, I try to get my work done early and meet players in May, get my fun time in June and then come back for a hard pre-season at the end of June.”

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