National League to go ahead - but Portsmouth man forced to wait a little while longer for a competitive game
Last-ditch government aid means the 2020-21 National League season will get under way this weekend.
After clubs expressed concern over starting the campaign behind closed doors, a grant to cover the cost without any fans will now be given.
However, for Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, the wait for a competitive game will go on a little while longer.
After moving to Fratton Park from the Ravens for an undisclosed fee in January, Hackett-Fairchild found first-team opportunities difficult to come by.
The former Charlton man made his debut against Walsall in the EFL Trophy a day after penning a two-and-a-half year deal with the Blues.
However, that remains his only appearance donning the star and crescent to date.
Hackett-Fairchild was named in just one more match-day squad, against Scunthorpe in the same competition, as Pompey's season ended in League One play-off defeat at Oxford United.
This campaign, the 22-year-old again found himself on the periphery of things.
Despite an eye-catching friendly display at Gosport Borough where he netted a quick-fire second-half double, Hackett-Fairchild couldn't force his way into Kenny Jackett's plans.
With Ronan Curtis, Marcus Harness and Ryan Williams ahead in forward pecking order, the ex-Boreham Wood man's frustrations continued.
He eventually sealed a switch back to Bromley until January 3, which represents an opportunity for regular action.
Certainly, Hackett-Fairchild will be relishing a return to action.
But while the National League begins on Saturday, his wait for a match where three points are on the line continues.
Bromley were due to raise their curtain at newly-relegated Macclesfield Town.
However, that game has been scrapped with the Silkmen being expelled from the league after being the subject of a court winding-up order.
That means Bromley have a blank weekend to start before eventually getting started with a home clash against Dover Athletic on Tuesday, October 6.
Still, Hackett-Fairchild has been working his way towards match fitness as the Ravens put the final touches to their pre-season preparations.
He featured for 45 minutes in Neil Smith's side's 4-0 win over a Crystal Palace XI on Tuesday.
Now he’ll be looking to impress for Bromley as he seeks to establish himself at Pompey in the future.
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