Day 36 Tuesday 28th April

I have decided it was time to change the header image, so I have a new picture of the Covid-19 virus for you all.

Tuesday so it was back to work, It was almost like a normal day. I got up when the alarm went off, showered, made my breakfast, came upstairs to log on, and found that the computer system wasn’t working properly. This time it was the server, rather than my laptop that was playing up. The server has always (for the past twenty-five years — it is the same one we have always had) been a temperamental beast. I think with this lockdown and the need to be two metres apart at all times, it is getting lonely. This latest temper tantrum is a cry for help. Twenty-five-year-olds should really be over having tantrums, but hey. At least it doesn’t stop me reporting, just uploading the reports to the server.

It was also wet, cold, and generally miserable. A very normal day. It did mean that there was no need for a trip to the allotment today. We would only have gone up to water the plants, but the rain did that for us.

Football

On the way to and from work I listened to the Nine Years Podcast discussing what to do about the season. Should it just be declared null and void? Or should it be officially ended and winners and losers be declared, on either the current positions, or an average points per game basis? Should we try to find a way to play the remaining fixtures behind closed doors if necessary? The solution for the Premier League may need to be different to the solution for the EFL.

According to @AndyhHolt, the Accrington Stanley chairman, playing behind closed doors will not work for League One clubs,

I want to know how we fund the behind closed doors end to this season, also how we operate next season if crowds are still not allowed.

There’s no point even trying for some clubs:

IT DOES NOT WORK.

No point wasting cash now, only to go bust later. https://t.co/U5tzxbfzM2

— Andyh (@AndyhHolt) April 28, 2020

There is also an additional problem for League One, what ever happens. We started the season one team short because of what happened with Bury. We need to find a solution for that.

It is unclear as to when we will have football with fans in attendance again. My guess is August at the earliest. I think the best solution is just to pretend that this season never happened, and start again with the 2020-2021 season. I know that it is unfair to a lot of teams, but what ever is done will be unfair to someone. Also come August there may not be as many teams to consider. Without revenue, I fear that as many as fifteen EFL clubs may have gone the way of Bury.