How to get your sports fix if the football gets cancelled

It’s that kind of devotion which explains why public health matters are left to the government, which is currently trying to get to grips with the Coronavirus.

One of the most concerning issues with the virus has been the speed with which it has spread around the world, and containing it is expected to require drastic measures, from self-isolating workers to shutting down major events - including football stadiums.

Affected countries in Europe and Japan have already taken such measures to avoid large-scale community infection, with matches played either behind closed doors to avoid large gatherings of supporters, or cancelled altogether.

Currently there are no plans to scrap major events in the UK, but that could change overnight - so how will Sunderland fans get their footy fix in the event of games being called off?

Get Online

If the winter break taught us anything it's that football never stops, and even when there’s no matches being played that doesn’t mean fans have to stop debating, arguing and speculating about everything from potential signings to the next big triumph. And you can’t catch coronavirus online, so fan forums are a safe way to share your passion while you self-isolate. If matches are played behind closed doors, you can still follow all the action online, and maybe put on a sports bet that Sunderland are going to win the league.

Know your history

If you find your matchday plans disrupted, why not use the time to delve into the history of your beloved club - dive into Roger Hutchinson’s ‘Into the Light: A Complete History of Sunderland Football Club’, Keith Gregson’s ‘One Among Many’ or plough through the autobiography of the club’s most infamous manager Brian Clough. And if that’s not enough for you, why not hunt down a copy of ‘Sunderland FC: The Best Of A Decade’, which includes the team’s epic run in the 1970s which brought them FA cup glory.

Be the manager

Ok, you can’t actually influence what happens on the pitch, but you can improve your understanding of the game by doing some manager-type leg work, and not just by playing fantasy football. Dig a bit deeper into the other clubs challenging Sunderland for the title, like high-flying Wycombe Wanderers, and see if you can spot your strengths and weaknesses so you know what to look out for when the big games roll around.

Keep singing

In the unlikely event that matches are cancelled or rearranged, don’t lose faith - it will probably be a short shutdown, and when the fans return to the Stadium of Light the club will need it’s support in full voice roaring them on to the title. So use your free time to learn a few of the classic club anthems and fan chants, and get ready to be the 13th man!

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