Coronavirus: Horndean boss Michael Birmingham has his say on the steps Wessex League should take amid Covid-19 pandemic

Birmingham insists no risks should be taken while the world is being ravaged by the coronavirus.

He is amazed that there seems to be one rule for the rich and famous and another for those involved in grassroots football.

‘There are times when there is more to life than 90 minutes of football,’ he said.

‘This is one such time.

‘Don't get me wrong, I love my football and if my team don't perform on a Saturday I will be up worrying about it in the early hours of the next morning.

‘But there comes a time when you have to draw a line and say it is only a game.

‘I can't understand why we at level five are being regarded differently to the professional game.

‘If they are not playing at the top then it should apply all the way down.

‘I am disappointed the football hasn't been nipped in the bud before now.

‘We still have go to work each day and we have families.

‘All the local clubs have elderly people involved with them and have a responsibility to look after them.

‘You can replay a game of football but you can't do that with life.

‘One of my younger players rang me up in a panic saying he had the symptoms.

‘All I could tell him was that he probably had the flu and would be okay.

‘It is the knock-on effect, though, of passing it on to other family members.

‘These are special times and require special measures.’

Horndean's home game against Fareham Town at the weekend was called off - not because of the virus, but due to a waterlogged Five Heads Park pitch.

They are set to stage another home league game against Bashley tomorrow night.

The home side are preparing for the game, even though they think it might not happen.

‘If it was up to me, I would say everyone gets a point each from the games left to be played,’ Birmingham added.

‘I would wrap it up now.

‘It will be interesting to see who the real football people are and also who are the greedy ones.

‘Football is a grassroots game and it is vital the authorities look after it.’

For Birmingham, the health and safety of his players is something he feels strongly about.

Recently, he refused to travel to Hamworthy United when Storm Dennis created havoc across the south coast.

He felt the players would be put at unnecessary risk and he wasn't prepared to let that happen.

The Wessex League are due to stage an emergency meeting tonight, with a statement expected afterwards.