Splitting up the family - and the Bognor football family - has been so tough

Originally the cancellation of football was a complete shock and the dismay from fans and clubs was clear to see – with some leagues still pushing on and playing.

As ex-Rock Jason Prior netted in a 2-1 loss for Dorking versus Havant and Waterlooville in National League South on March 14, many were up in arms that their own teams were NOT PLAYING but the National League was.

A short time late, the fact football is not being played paile into huge insignificance with the whole of the country on lockdown.

Last week I made the decision for my children not to see me until this has blown over as I’ll still be working in my role as a crew manager for Surrey Fire Service, managing fire incidents for Surrey and West Sussex.

It’s not a decision I took lightly, but in the same breath was the easiest one I’ve ever made. In a few months this will settle and I know by not seeing them, it ensures their safety and they’ll be happy and safe at home with mummy.

These decisions are being made by many on a daily basis in regards to the elderly, vulnerable and young relatives. Kind of makes the lack of football not as important, eh?

I visited Nyewood Lane just before the lockdown last Monday to grab some items I’d left there and the ground looked beautiful. It’s amazing the work groundsman Brian has been doing – although you could argue that any groundsman works in self-isolation anyway, except for being less than two metres away from his tractor.

I can’t wait for the day we return: the first pint behind the goal, the first goal scored and the noise that will generate, but more importantly seeing the Rocks Family, a group of people I’ve grown up with, people that have influenced my life since I went as a teenager in 1996.

I’ve made some of my best friends there and I can’t wait to see them again. These are people I miss terribly and the day we meet again will be a hugely emotional one and I can’t wait to share that experience with all my family, who are all massive Rocks fans too.

My girls were due to be mascots for the cancelled Wingate & Finchley game with their grandad also appearing on the pitch with them.

It is crazy how quickly things have become a new normal, and it’s scary what is in store for us all. I alluded earlier to how people have

influenced my life and I really mean that.

When you become close friends with players, managers and fans these all have an effect on you as a person and I’m thankful to all of them for that.

Spending countless hours in offices with Maurice Warner, hours in cars with Adam Goldring, my uncle Alan and my dad, and in the

shop with David Robinson has been something that has helped me become the person I am today.

I’m thankful for their help to get me to where I am today.

Stay safe, people – it’s going to be an uncertain few weeks but as always we’ll get through it and come back stronger and finish the

2019-20 season or start the 2020-21 season.

Whatever is decided about how football resumes will be tough.

Up the Rocks!