Omicron Covid-19 concerns leads Eastern Counties Thurlow Nunn League to call off festive fixtures on December 27
There will be no traditional festive derbies across the Thurlow Nunn League's (Eastern Counties) three divisions on Monday, December 27 amid concerns over the surge in cases of Covid-19 and the Omicron variant.
The league's management committee are also set to decide whether the scheduled games on Monday, January 3 should also be postponed.
A statement read revealed a majority of clubs were in favour of the first round of postponements, coming amid talk of a potential two-week 'circuit break' of restrictions in England to combat the alarming rise in the virus after Christmas.
It read: "The League has taken the decision to cancel all matches on 27th December. We regard this as a responsible course of action and one that eliminates pre-Christmas uncertainty.
"Clubs were canvassed on their views and almost two thirds were in support on this course of action.
"There has also been unease expressed about playing matches on 3rd January and a decision will be made about these fixtures as soon as possible."
Mildenhall Town were anticipating a bumper gate for their home derby with Lakenheath and boss Ricky Cornish is not among those in favour of the decision.
He told SuffokNews: "I'm a little bit disappointed. Touch wood we haven't got any Covid cases.
"We've been very sensible and on Saturday every single one of my players did lateral flow tests before we travelled to Fakenham and were obviously able to confirm they were all negative.
"We would have been doing the same tonight for training and then on the 27th.
"I've got a fit and healthy squad at the minute so I'm a bit disappointed if I'm honest.
"We're on a really good run as well."
Hadleigh United manager Steve Holder also revealed his disappointment by posting on Twitter: "One game since the 13th of November. Going have to do a pre season again by time we get going."
There was an almost total negative reaction from fans on the tweet of the news put out by the league's account.
Sports coach @teilo007 wrote: "Where teams wanted to play there should have been fixtures."
Steven D (@Stevenssandbox) posted: "It’s okay, instead we can watch either the premiership game or the two championship games in a packed indoor pub setting on the same date because that is so so much safer than a small outside venue where people can distance outside safely and with minimal contact."
Lakenheath's vice chair, @StevPeasey, meanwhile, wrote: Let’s all have boosters for the thurlow nunn to cancel games when the government guidelines are to play awful decision."
The latest round of matches for clubs took place on Saturday but there were a number called off due to Covid-19 cases.
With the league having been suspended due to tier restrictions heading into Christmas last year, ahead of not restarting, it is the second year running festive fixtures have not taken place locally.
It comes after the EFL and Premier League yesterday committed to playing their festive fixtures, 'where it is safe to do so' meaning Ipswich Town are set to go to Gillingham on Boxing Day (3pm) for new manager Kieran McKenna's first game in charge.
The matches now called off in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division on December 27 are:
Hadleigh United v Brantham Athletic
Kirkley & Pakefield v Gorleston
Long Melford v Walsham-le-Willows
March Town United v Ely City
Mildenhall Town v Lakenheath
Newmarket Town v Haverhill Rovers
Swaffham Town v Fakenham Town
Thetford Town v Mulbarton Wanderers
Wroxham v Norwich United
Locally in the First Division North:
Diss Town v Downham Town
Harleston Town v Needham Market Reserves
Debenham LC v Framlingham Town
Locally in First Division South:
AFC Sudbury Reserves v Cornard United
Haverhill Borough v Halstead Town
Ipswich Wanderers v Coggeshall United
