Gosport boss Shaun Gale ‘realistic’ over proposed Southern League restart date

Gosport Borough boss Shaun Gale is remaining 'realistic' over the proposed Southern League restart date next month.
Gosport boss Shaun Gale. Pic by Tom Phillips.Gosport boss Shaun Gale. Pic by Tom Phillips.
Gosport boss Shaun Gale. Pic by Tom Phillips.

But the 51-year-old is hoping his squad can safely return to league matters on Saturday, December 12.

The Southern League have announced that as the date the campaign can resume following the non-elite football suspension.

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The league, though, have no objections to teams playing even earlier should Covid-19 restrictions allow and both clubs are happy to play.

But Gale remains uncertain as to when his side will be back in action.

He stressed with England remaining on lockdown until December 2, it remains uncertain how the picture will look should restrictions be eased.

Gale is wary that a tier system being introduced across the country might make it difficult for games to go ahead with clubs in the Southern League Premier South coming from different regions.

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‘I’m hoping it does happen because we need to get back playing,' said Gale.

‘But I’m realistic there’s a possibility it might not happen, depending what happens with lockdown really because they won’t restart our level without fans.

‘I think the thing is - and I’m not being negative with it - one of the problems they could have is if they use this tier system (when coming out of lockdown) our league is made up of teams from different areas.

‘If London is in a different tier to where we are, where does that leave you?

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‘I’m not really sure. We’re really just going to have to wait and see.

‘Obviously we want to get back playing. We’ve got the players on a fitness programme that they’re all working to.

‘The biggest thing for me in lockdown has been keeping in touch with my players and also making sure they play in tip-top condition so whatever time we get to prepare - which won’t be long enough - we’ll just have to get on with it.

'We need to make sure we’re ready to go and hit the ground running so fingers crossed - that’s all we can do.'

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Gale would be happy to return to competitive action earlier than December 12, with a home game with Steve Claridge’s Salisbury inked in for December 9 well before the second lockdown was announced.

‘Yeah, definitely, we’ll look at it (an earlier start),' added Gale.

‘It’s all going to come down to the clubs.

‘It’s very wishy-washy at the moment, I get it’s very difficult to make decisions.

‘But we’ll just be prepared for it as and when things happen.'