For most of us, Lockdown 2 came at the wrong time, some sense of normality was starting to creep back into our lives, in a year when normality has been rare.
For footballers in the ‘non elite sport’ level (below the English National League system), teams were around 10 games into their league season when the new lockdown rules were announced on the 31st October, meaning for local clubs like Ilford FC, the high of beating FC Clacton 4-1 in the FA Vase to reach the second round for the first time in 20 years was severely overshadowed as, minutes after the final whistle, they found out the news of the lockdown.
The first Lockdown abruptly ended the 2019/2020 season and with a stop to football coming again, Rising East’s Finley Chung sat down with two players from Ilford FC of the Essex Senior League, Naseer Ishanzadeh and Dimi Christou, to get their thoughts on the two Lockdowns and their time at Ilford FC so far.
FC – “How would you sum up football in 2020 for you so far? Especially as It’s been such a stop start year?”
DC – “Despite complications with COVID-19 and the lockdown we endured for a few months, I feel as though football has maintained the excitement and enjoyment it provides weekly for people up and down the country. The lack of football for a few months and time without it may have even helped people fall back in love with it over time – especially me”.
NI – “2020 has been a very confusing year for everyone involved especially the non-league teams as it’s a very challenging time for players and staff. All in all, I believe it’s a very big learning curve for everyone to enjoy the little stuff”.
FC – “How are you planning to deal with Lockdown 2? Have you got any strategies to help you physically/mentally to keep you healthy and occupied through the month?”
DC – “I will be continuing the same training regime and programmes I used since the beginning of lockdown; including circuits, and resistance band work to maintain strength and cardiovascular fitness during this four-week period. Alongside this I will also be attending work every day and leaving the house as much as possible to prevent myself from suffering mentally during this period”.
NI – “I learnt a lot from the first lockdown that I will now be using in the second lockdown, I’ve already set up sessions and home workouts that will keep me fit during this time”.
FC – “Will a second lockdown have an impact on the team? If so, a positive or negative one?
DC – “It could work one of two ways with Ilford, our season has been pretty inconsistent, and we’ve never really managed to get a run going. However, on the back of the wins against Woodford and Clacton, as well as picking up a draw against Sawbridgeworth, it could kill some momentum that we were possibly picking up going into the second lockdown.
“On the other hand, being able to regroup and have four weeks away from football could galvanise the squad and we could turn a corner post lockdown, carrying the adrenaline and frustration of being without football for so long”.
NI – “The team’s obviously devastated with the lockdown but we are all gonna work very hard in this lockdown to stay fit and come back stronger so I believe this lockdown will be challenging but we will overcome it together”.
FC – “Finally, how much are you enjoying playing for Ilford?”
DC – “I am thoroughly enjoying playing for Ilford, it’s my first season in senior football and so picking up the valuable minutes and experience that is needed has propelled me on, and of late – going into lockdown – I had notched a few goals and picked up quite a few assists, which has only given me more confidence and allowed me to back my ability more and more”.
NI – Playing for Ilford fc has been a learning experience in which I’ve enjoyed every minute”.
