WITH the football season currently on-hold due to COVID-19, football fans up and down the country have been left feeling down hearted about how they will now spend their Saturday afternoons over the next few months.

Ramsbottom United are among the clubs left wondering when or if the season will continue, with BetVictor League officials calling for the 2019/20 season to be called null and void, a situation that has been officially confirmed by the North West Counties Football League.

Rammy manager Chris Willcock has been looking back on the season as it stands and was full of praise for the support he and his men received at what could be their final game of the campaign, 1-0 win at Marine which saw Jamie Rother net a late winner in impressive fashion.

“It was great to see a large away support at Marine,” said Willcock. “It was essentially a key game because of the league positions of both clubs. Our away support has started to gain momentum with larger numbers and it was great to see them giving the lads a standing ovation which they clearly deserved at full time.

“Fans gathered behind the goal were in full voice throughout the game and their experience was given best value with Jamie Rother’s 88th-minute winner”.

Rother has featured less regularly in the starting XI over the past few months but his moment in the sun was well deserved on Merseyside.

A club stalwart who is the definition of loyalty, was given rave reviews by the manager, as were his team mates Daniel Naidole and Richie Baker.

“Jamie has been an integral part of the run that we have put together but unfortunately he has been struggling with his injury throughout February,” revealed Willcock.

“Since Jamie’s injury, Daniel Naidole and also Richie Baker have come back into contention and replaced Jamie. Both players contributed massively to maintaining our good form.

“After February was virtually a washout, the lack of playing time had led to an understandable rustiness amongst the players but the most recent away games at Marine and Kendal have produced grand stand finishes with both Rother and Luke Thompson getting on the scoresheet within the final moments.

“The lads had been working hard away from match day games in training but against Marine our sharpness was back and we were looking like our old selves.”

The celebration of the Rammy fans behind the goal was a joy to behold when Rother scored, with the celebrations allowing Willcock to show off some of his other skills with fans finally getting a glimpse of his dance moves.

“I thought it was a time to show off my dancing skills as I got carried away at full time” he said.

"In the current climate fans may not get another enjoyment like that game. The post-match celebrations proved why everybody will miss football as the coronavirus crisis continues to worsen. Hopefully our favourite escapism will be back some time soon.”