Issued 6:00pm Tuesday 5 January 2021

Joint statement from The Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth League, Carlisle City Sunday League, Cumberland County League, Egremont & District Sunday League, Penrith & District Junior Football League, West Cumbria Youth Football League, Workington & District Sunday League and Cumberland FA U16 Girls League. 

As a collective we are obviously disappointed that the UK Government’s announcement on Monday 4th January, placing the country back into a National Lockdown, will once again mean the suspension of all grassroots football with immediate effect (more detail can be found here). 

However, we also understand that given the latest developments with the virus, including the escalating number of cases and the subsequent pressure that this is placing upon our awe-inspiring NHS, that football within Cumberland has a moral obligation to play its part in reducing the risk of transmission and therefore saving lives.  

If we can play our part in controlling the virus then this also give us the best chance of grassroots football returning and providing the indisputable benefits that this has on all involved.   

We therefore appeal to all of our respective member clubs, players, coaches, officials, volunteers and parents and carers to fully adhere to the Governments new national Covid-19 lockdown restrictions (found here).  

To be clear the new lockdown measures means the suspension of fixtures and training for all indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football, including under-18s. 
We remain optimistic and will continue to meet and work as a co-operative group to ensure that we can get football within Cumberland back up and running as soon as it is safe, and the Government and FA say we are able to do so.  

Finally, we thank all involved within the grassroots football community for their hard work to date, their resilience and their understanding during such an incredibly challenging time for the game, the community and us all as individuals. 

For now, please come together, once again, as a football family to not only protect the NHS and Save Lives; but to also look after vulnerable individuals and groups within our local areas.  If we have learnt anything from the wonderful work that Marcus Rashford has recently undertaken with campaigning for meals for vulnerable children, it is the power that football can have for good when it pulls together and plays under one team.   

Signed  

The Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth League, Carlisle City Sunday League, Cumberland County League, Egremont & District Sunday League, Penrith & District Junior Football League, West Cumbria Youth Football League, Workington & District Sunday League and Cumberland FA U16 Girls league.