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Manchester FA Supports Covid-19 Response

Manchester FA, which has the bulk of Lancashire and Cheshire League clubs as members, is proud to be playing a small part to support Greater Manchester’s response to COVID-19 by vacating its HQ office, enabling the NHS to take occupancy and deliver its vaccination programme.

Located within the Tennis and Football Centre, (pictured) which is part of the wider Etihad Campus where the vaccination centre will now be opened, Manchester FA’s office was identified as one of the key facilities needed for use by the NHS to begin the vaccination programme.

The commitment Manchester FA has made to supporting the vaccination programme has been established for the long term, with the organisation relinquishing its HQ office lease, to ensure that the NHS can remain on site for as long as is needed.

Whilst Manchester FA will now move to a full time remote working operation over the winter months into Spring 2021, the organisation and its team of staff remain on hand to support member clubs and the grassroots football community.

Manchester FA is currently reviewing options regarding its future home and will inform members as soon as a decision has been made. MFA Chief Executive Officer Colin Bridgford said: “Upon being made aware that Manchester FA’s offices could be used as part of the COVID-19 vaccination centre at the Etihad Campus, we immediately offered to relinquish our lease to ensure the NHS could take occupancy as soon as they needed to. These past months have been challenging for everyone within our community and we are proud to play this small part in Greater Manchester’s recovery supporting the roll out of the vaccination.”

Councillor Bev Craig, Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing for Manchester City Council, added: “I'd like to thank Manchester FA for this generous show of solidarity. In Manchester we are all playing our part to support one another and work towards the common goal that our lives will soon return to normal.” For all enquiries, please contact support@manchesterfa.com. For further information about Manchester FA, please see www.manchesterfa.com.

Lancashire and Cheshire AFL fixtures secretary Malc Kershaw (pictured) has endured a very stressful past year frequently organising and then reorganising fixtures due to Covid virus. 

Last season eventually had to be made null and void much to the disappointment of clubs, players and the league committee. 

The recruitment of new clubs and teams before the start of the current season saw the league increased to well over 90 teams playing in eight divisions with nearly 3,000 players in action putting extra demands on organising fixtures but after a slightly delayed start the season began well before the latest lockdown saw it again grind to a halt. 

There are 1,034 games scheduled in the league programme and before the lockdown 34 per cent had been played for a total of 352 games but there are another 682 to play. 

Malc, a legend with Old Stretfordians FC, is looking to complete the programme if the season can recommence in early March and finish in late May with plenty of midweek games needed and he has the programme planned but all depends on the timing of action resuming. 

If this is not possible Malc and the league committee have other possible plans in place to give the L and C teams to chance to play some competitive football before the end of the season – but at the moment it is very much- wait and see! 

One of the options if is impossible to get enough league fixtures played is to run cup competitions.

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