General manager of football operations Lee O’Neill says the Town squad won’t now return to training on March 26th with the EFL’s suspension having been extended to the end of April earlier today due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

“It’s a sensible position to take, to give the authorities more time to see how things develop,” O’Neill told the club site.

“When you look at what’s happening around the country and you hear that London might be going into lockdown, then it’s clear we are a long way from playing football again.

“The players were due to return to training on March 26th but that won’t happen now and the coaching staff are working on a new timetable.

“We are preparing to get players back and ready to play games for the end of April but it’s an ever-changing situation and of course the priority is the health and safety of everyone.”

Photo: TWTD

dirtydingusmagee added 16:19 - Mar 19 it aint gonna happen, virus is likely to peak end of June Early July by all accounts .
0

Blue12345 added 18:26 - Mar 19 I am bored of hearing what this guy has to say
-2

Bert added 19:10 - Mar 19 The NHS view is that the beginning of the spike will start in early April. If the Government's curve projections are right we should expect April, May and June to be the period of maximum concern and impact. Will football recommence in July ? Would a new season start in late September ? I have no idea but clearly the football authorities have to plan for different scenarios. Will county cricket be played as normal bearing in mind that at most grounds fans can easily sit apart. Nothing is normal anymore.

1

Pecker added 19:59 - Mar 19 Just cancel the bl00dy season and start again when all is well. Hate to say it, but it is only football. I think we all have a lot more on our minds right now. Take the difficulty out of it and just finish the season now. It ain't difficult.
1

Daz added 21:34 - Mar 19 Yeah sure end the season now, simple or is it. So what if this go on until dec next year. Start a new season in jan or finish this one come jan. Basically it's only sensible to wait until this is over before making a decision on the current season.
1

Daz added 21:41 - Mar 19 Example Say this end in September cud you start a new season with 6months out? Going to take 2 months to get fitness up and going. Me my self this season and next I can only see this season and current cups being finished and then cups mini leagues etc to then fill up the blanks until next may 2021
0

Daz added 21:45 - Mar 19 But if the government could getting quick mass testing sorted who knows
0

Blue041273 added 22:14 - Mar 19 Football needs to get real! The chance of any competitive football in the way everyone wants in the near future is zero! Boris tells us that the tide may be turned in 12 weeks! But that only assumes that the death rate and infection rate is going down by then! It will be many weeks thereafter before restrictions can be safely scaled down! To suggest that there may be a resumption of top tier football at the end of April is simply risible!

2

Doctor_Earman added 23:07 - Mar 19 Shut up O'Neill.
-2

tones_cones added 10:06 - Mar 20 On a different note, for those of us who pay for our season tickets on a monthly basis, what will happen with the payments? As there are no games in April, will the payment still be taken at the start of the month as normal? Or will this be delayed also? Sorry for the ask but not seen anything about it and as you imagine, with work situations becoming more precarious, it may be a concern to many supporters.

1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls