Ebac Northern League postpone fixtures with immediate effect in response to coronavirus outbreak

The league followed the lead set by the Premier League and EFL on Friday morning after both bodies took the same action in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hebburn Town and Consett will have to wait until Monday to find out whether both legs of their respective FA Vase semi-final ties will take place as the Football Association are due to make a decision over both fixtures over the weekend.

The outbreak has brought a mixed response from leagues around the country and both the Northern Premier League and National League have confirmed that their scheduled fixtures will take place as planned.

However, Gateshead and Blyth Spartans have both seen their respective National League North fixtures at Southport and Gloucester City have both been postponed as precautionary measures.

South Shields highly-anticipated Northern Premier League Premier Division game against FC United of Manchester will take place, as will Morpeth Town’s visit to Stalybridge Celtic.

And both Dunston UTS and Marske United will see action on Saturday after their trips to Widnes and Runcorn Linnets will both go ahead.

Friday afternoon brought the announcement that Northern League clubs will see no competitive action under Saturday 4th April.

In a statement released on their website, the league said: “After taking all advice into account and giving the matter careful consideration, the league management committee has decided to suspend all scheduled fixtures with effect from Saturday 14th March 2020 up until Friday 3rd April 2020.

“Although the decision itself was a difficult one, the fact a growing number of clubs were reporting players, management and officials as self-isolating, meant the effect on the health and well-being of everyone concerned was the most important consideration.

The league will continue to monitor the situation and take on board both government and FA advice and will issue updates as and when it is received while fixtures will resume as soon as it is felt safe to do so.”

The Wearside League have announced that their weekend fixtures will continue.

However, Saturday’s games at Annfield Plain. Coxhoe Athletic and Darlington Town have all been postponed.