BALAGUE ON BIGGLESWADE UNITED: We will return bloodied, but unbowed

In the general scheme of things there are worse places in the world to be isolated than overlooking the harbour from the balcony of my sea view apartment on the Costa Brava.

But what wouldn't I give to be able to swap it for a return to normality, the status quo, and a rainy evening at a windswept Second Meadow for one of those wonderful Friday night fixtures I love so much or, failing that, even just a Tuesday night training session?

For that to happen we need the co-operation and basic common sense of our masters and it’s safe to say that from some quarters however, any such wise counsel has, until recently, been absent to the point of negligence.

Last weekend despite the fact that the Bedfordshire FA had cancelled all fixtures, the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Women's League informed us that we were obliged to play our match against Evergreen Eagles Women and a failure to do so would result in disciplinary action being taken against us.

This was the instruction given to all clubs in all three divisions and as a consequence most of Sunday's fixtures were played, including two involving clubs in our division.

As a club we have a duty of care to all of our players, coaches, parents, children, volunteers, supporters, in fact anyone who comes into our home in whatever capacity. We are finding more out every single day but certainly as recently as last weekend we did not have enough information to know what needed to be done to guarantee safeguarding our members and guests.

As such we took the decision off our own bats to cancel the fixture. These are extraordinary times which require extraordinary actions and we do not want to be responsible for the unnecessary spread of the virus to anyone, club member or otherwise. Events, needless to say, have moved on apace since then and all matches in the Beds and Herts Women's League have now been indefinitely suspended.

In the meantime I am in constant touch by phone with everyone at the club relating to matters both on an off the pitch. First team coach, Chris Devane has already taken the opportunity to plan pre-season for next year and has also put together a training regime for the players which includes home exercises and a dietary plan. We have to take decisions about next season that involve kit, which leagues our Youth will play, what the next step is for our Ladies first team, what the financial implications of the outbreak may be.

These are truly trying times not just for us but for everyone in all aspects of life, not just football. But be assured, we have no plans to disappear. This crisis will help to remind all of us what is important and what is not. And when we finally step out of the tunnel and back into the light I know that football and Biggleswade United will still be here, bloodied but unbowed, and ready once again to help make us feel part of something very special.

Stay safe