Frustrated Matlock Town players continue to play the waiting game

Clubs are still waiting to find out from the FA how the season will be completed following the completion of a ballot.

A decision could hinge on the Prime Minister’s speech on February 22nd where he will set out the nation’s road out of lockdown.

“As was the case last year, we’ve set players individual training programmes for them to follow and we’ll find out later who’s been following them but I know the vast majority of them will be working hard and doing what they can,” said Phillips.

“There’s different programmes for different positions, Everyone’s doing their bit, it’s got to the stage where everyone’s pining to play for the last competitive game was two months ago now.

"While we fully understand the reasons why, we’ve not been able to train or play since before Christmas.”

Phillips says that this matter has only become more in the forefront of administrators’ minds since the National League North and South recently suspended their fixture lists, although some clubs have returned to action.

He added: “There’s more being said about this since the Conference North and South became affected, why wasn’t this more of an issue when our league, equivalent leagues and those below were forced to stop playing?

"No disrespect to clubs from this level and I speak to a lot of managers across the leagues, but why the big showdown now, it winds me up! Clubs still have bills to pay.”

Phillips believes there is little Matlock can do right and now and that they would need at least four weeks to get the squad back up to full fitness.

“We can’t plan too much and if the season is restarted soon, we’d probably need at least four weeks to get the squad up to full fitness,” he added.

“At the moment we’re doing all that we can do. Naturally I’m speaking with our current players and looking at possible additions for next season.

"But I think I speak for all of us that a return to normality can’t come quickly enough.”