With the news that the FA have confirmed all grassroots football, Hitchin Nub News spoke to a well-respected coach in our area for his reaction to the announcement.

Paul Donnelly is the highly-regarded Stotfold Juniors coach at U9 and U14 level and is well-known to many at grassroots level in Hitchin and across north Herts and Beds.

Paul also played for Stotfold for four seasons including their memorable United counties winning season of 2007-08. He's been a juniors coach with the club for six years.

As we reported, the FA has confirmed all adult and children's grassroots football is to be suspended in England during the national Covid lockdown which is set to run until December 2.

But how will the news affect those at grassroots level?

"As a coach of children you get to see how important football is to them and how important that release is," says Paul.

"So it's very frustrating that they're being asked stop again, especially when they are at very little risk of getting ill themselves. I think training should be able to continue at the very least, with no parents spectating.

"I just hope the boys and everyone are able to get back playing as close to December 2 as is possible."

Stotfold are widely regarded as one of the leading FA Charter Community Standard clubs - not just in and around north Herts, but in the whole country.

Their junior section provides inclusive community football for boys, girls and adults with more than 700 participants - while their senior club hosts three youth teams in the Eastern Junior Alliance League at U15, U16 and U18 levels.

The club also aims to progress to the National League System.

"With regards to non league," Paul explains, "most teams are just getting to full fitness after a very short preseason.

"So it will be interesting to see where teams come back in a month, and how they handle that situation.

"Will they get a couple of weeks to get things sorted or will they just throw the players straight back into it?"

For more information on the progressive Stotfold FC visit their website here