Chasetown clash postponed due to positive coronavirus test
Chasetown's league clash with Newcastle Town tonight has been postponed after a positive coronavirus test in the squad – as their FA Trophy campaign now hangs in the balance.
A total of 29 members of the club are now self isolating after a player tested positive yesterday.
The Northern Premier League South East Division clash with Newcastle will now be rescheduled for a later date.
On Saturday, the Scholars are due to play Yaxley in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy. Although official confirmation is still yet to be made on the status of that fixture, it is understood that the game will not go ahead and schedule demands mean it will not be rescheduled – forcing Chasetown to withdraw from the competition.
Chasetown did not refer to the Trophy game in their statement but confirmed that their next match, following isolation, will be back in the league against Stamford on October 24.
Chasetown chairman Mick Joiner, who did not travel with the players for their 3-1 win at Spalding United on the weekend, believes positive tests are 'inevitable' for clubs at non-league level.
"It was inevitable this was going to happen, we hoped it wouldn't, but it inevitably would have," he said.
"You can safeguard all you want but it only wants one mistake at any club.
"For us, 29 people at the club now have to isolate and that is by one silly mistake by one person.
"In fairness, he wouldn't have thought it was a silly mistake, he happened to go somewhere and came away positive with coronavirus.
"The kid that has it has no symptoms whatsoever, there's nothing wrong with him at all, and that's why he thought he was OK.
"There must be a number of people walking around the country no different than normal but are positive.
"We're not sure that he has spread it to the club, no one of the 29 is showing any signs, but there's a risk and we can't take it, so they all have to isolate."
The club have since released a further statement to update supporters on the Covid-19 situation.
It read: "We have been made aware of the concerns of spectators since the announcement of the positive Covid-19 result.
"We would like to reassure all spectators as a club that we have taken advice from Public Health England in order to safeguard all our supporters.
"All relevant parties have been contacted regarding self-isolation as per government guidelines and therefore spectators at previous home games remain unaffected.
"As a club we make the health and well-being of our supporters a priority and will continue to liaise with Public Health England to ensure the ongoing safety of our supporters.
"Please keep safe."
