Stay safe at Christmas - and look forward to special football day

Langton says he is as frustrated as anyone at the stop-start Isthmian League season which has seen teams in the premier division play between five and ten games each so far.

But he says attempts to press for a restart before it is safe and fair for all teams to play again are futile.

Instead Langton preaches patience, which he says will be rewarded when leagues begin again in an orderly fashion.

The Dripping Pan boss has defended the Isthmian League over its cautious approach to getting matches played.

The league’s latest statement came at the end of last week, when officials confirmed the league’s ‘pause’ – which has been in place since November 5 – would continue but would be reviewed in line withthe government looking at its Covid tier areas.

At the weekend, large parts of the south-east – including districts housing the majority of the Isthmian League’s 81 clubs – were placed under tougher rules on activity and travel in a new tier four.

Langton said everyone just had to do their bit – and wait. “There are some things you can control, and some things you can’t – and it’s not worth worrying about the things you can’t control,” Langton told the Express.

“At the moment I’m just making sure the players are okay, including mentally. Everyone’s fine and we’ve been getting together when we can.

“I hope the season will be finished, of course I do.

“The Isthmian League has had a lot of criticism from member clubs but they have tried to act in the best interests of all clubs, which of course they have to do.

“The big fear over Christmas will be that some people will have a couple of shandies and not care about mixing outside of their bubbles.

“I know my players will be sensible. They know what they need to do. I’m sure the same goes for our fans.

“And when the league does restart, it will be a very, very special occasion, a time when everyone will appreciate and welcome the return of football. We’ll enjoy playing again and having fans back.”