Disappointed Derg boss is reluctant to be critical

The second tier of local football was scheduled to kick-off this coming Saturday, just seven days after the Danske Bank Premiership season had got underway last weekend.

 

Both the Premiership and the Championship are classified as senior football but in making their decision to place restrictions on sport for the next four weeks the NI Executive deemed that the Championship wasn’t considered ‘elite’ and would therefore be treated differently to the Premiership.

 

Inevitably that brought criticism from a number of different quarters although Sproule, while disappointed that the season has again been put on hold, refused to criticise those behind the decision given the current climate of uncertainty and the seriousness of the dramatic spike in coronavirus cases.

 

“As much as I’m disappointed there is no football, I don’t have the answers,” he said.

 

“I have no particular gripe. As a club we have had two different scares around Covid which in some instances meant players and coaches including myself had to isolate as a precaution and take time off their work.

 

“That presented the club and me with challenges that we have never faced before, you don’t know what you’re going to have to prepare for. Having to take time off work obviously has financial implications for players and coaches.

 

“I said it before and I’ll say it again we’re in a part-time environment, it’s very much a hobby and if that has real implications in people’s home lives, then that’s a worrying aspect for me.

 

“From a league perspective how can we send players out to play when there is a very real risk to them and their families.

 

“Christmas is just around the corner and do players want to be in an environment where the virus is spiking and they might get it? Players having to isolate for two weeks will hit them hard in the pocket, that’s a big concern for me.”