Will Burscough FC will have their new stadium ready in time for next season?

With the country set to be in lockdown for an indefinite period, the club was due to have its new stadium built in time for the start of next season with its old Victoria Park stadium being demolished to make way for houses.

It is not clear if this will be possible, however, due the coronavirus lockdown situation and it is understood that sharing another club's stadium on which to play their home matches is being considered.

Chairman Mike Swift remained tight lipped about how construction work of the new stadium has been impacted by the coronavirus and what impact it will have on where the team play next season. When asked how the coronavirus pandemic was affecting the construction works, he said: "Whilst considerable numbers of our fellow citizens are losing their lives during this horrid pandemic, football is not important.

"Respecting the best advice from HM Government, we are not saying anything that could possibly encourage site visits.

“You'll also no doubt recall that construction sites are particularly dangerous places."We are not issuing any comment on the construction works."

The club chairman also refused to comment on what arrangements would be made for next season, should the coronavirus crisis hamper construction.

The FA have not released arrangements "for either the recommencement of the current season nor the following season's new fixtures", he said, adding: "As and when we are required to attend to football's administration matters, that will be done promptly via our 'Working From Home' arrangements."As and when it is appropriate, the new build status will be confirmed to our club's players, loyal supporters, colleagues and then placed in the public domain."

Plans for the new stadium, being built to the north west of current facilities at Victoria Park on Mart Lane and Bobby Langton Way, were approved in 2017. Further plans for a development of 52 homes on the Victoria Park site were approved last year, with a condition that the new stadium be completed before work begins.

On March 26, the FA announced that due to the coronavirus crisis, all leagues in Steps 3-6 of the National League System (NLS) would be cancelled with all results expunged - meaning that there will be no promotion or relegation for clubs playing within these leagues this season.Burscough FC plays in the Premier Division of North West Counties League, which is part of Step 5 of the NLS.

Martin Fallon, of the North West Counties League Management Committee, said the FA made the decision to terminate the 2019/20 season, after discussing what options were available with all of the leagues at Steps 3-6 of the NLS.“When assessing each option, the FA have taken into account the impact of each option on clubs, players, staff and the fabulous volunteer network within the NLS,” Mr Fallon said.

“We have also taken into account the interests of supporters and the impact of any decision on the sporting integrity of the NLS.“Consideration was given to whether the season could be extended indefinitely but given the current uncertainty regarding when it will be possible to resume competitive football in England, this option was likely to present great difficulties for football at Steps 3-6."