Horndean boss Birmingham: It’s not the end of the world if the non-league season doesn’t restart

The Deans signed off in their final game before the suspension of non-elite football with a 1-0 victory at bottom side Amesbury thanks to substitute Jean-Pierre Alexander's superb lob.

The win moved Birmingham's high-flying side above Fareham Town and into second, leaving them just a point off table-toppers Hamworthy United who saw their unbeaten record ended by Lymington Town on Tuesday.

However, Horndean are now facing at least four weeks without a match with UK lockdown restrictions coming into force tomorrow.

But Birmingham does not envisage football returning at non-elite level until at least after Christmas.

'The important thing is that the season possibly could continue and we can get back to it after Christmas. If not, so be it, it’s not the end of the world,' said the Horndean boss.

‘I know they’re going to review it again in four weeks’ time, which will be December 2, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything is going to happen.

‘Not only that, you need to give any sort of footballer time to get their body back into shape to go again.

‘We saw after the last lockdown which was 100-odd days, you’ve got Premier League footballers who train everyday with the best facilities, best coaches and best nutritionists pulling hamstrings because they’ve had to go back hard and fast.

'These are non-league footballers that get up at 5 in the morning, do a 12-hour shift then travel for up to two hours to play an hour-and-a-half game of football, travel two hours and have three hours kip before they repeat it.

‘I hope it does start again, I hope, but it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t.

‘It’s just a game of football at the end of the day.'

Birmingham was critical of midweek matches taking place prior to the suspension of football at step three and below from Thursday.

But with the Deans having to play the fixture, he was just pleased to take the three points.

'The fixture had to be played, no matter what,' added Birmingham.

‘It amazed me because leagues above with probably a bit more of a professional approach treated it a little more seriously than other leagues.

‘It was a hard three points. It’s never easy to go there on a Tuesday night.

‘There are down there fighting relegation and we had a few people drop out at the last minute.

‘We got the job done unscathed to move up to second before lockdown, so we’ll take that.'