A year of empty stadiums lays bare what soccer has missed


  • Football
  • Thursday, 11 Mar 2021

Footballers play during the third round of a Carabao Cup football match between Stoke City and Gillingham at the bet365 Stadium, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Stoke-on-Trent, Britain, September 23, 2020. REUTERS/Carl Recine

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - A year ago at The Shay, home to fifth-tier English soccer club Halifax FC, fans followed time-honoured traditions - they walked to the match from local pubs and queued for pie at half time.

But the 2,000 or so supporters also sensed things were about to change. While they could watch their team play that day, games in leagues above them had been cancelled across England as the coronavirus pandemic spread.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Football

Soccer-Arsenal enter enemy's den as title race reaches boiling point
Soccer-Female refereeing team to take charge of Serie A game for first time
Soccer-Leipzig want fourth spot irrespective of potential extra Champions League place-club
Soccer-Spanish government to oversee football federation until new elections
Soccer-Under pressure Juventus and Milan face off in fight for second place
Soccer-Xavi says Barca project behind decision to stay, not money
Soccer-Dortmund and Leipzig meet in key battle for top four spot
Soccer-Disputed cup tie awarded to Moroccan side after kit confiscated
Soccer-Criticism part of life at Manchester United, Fernandes says
Soccer-French President Macron scores penalty in charity match

Others Also Read