'We just want to crack on with it' - Hastings United will be ready to go whenever the return to action

The Isthmian league made an announcement on Wednesday afternoon to say the league was due to commence on December 19 - subject to government approval and spectators being allowed to attend.

SEE ALSO Isthmian League football to return on December 19 - subject to government approval | Grassroots football clubs to discuss return from lockdown next week

However, if clubs both agree they can play competitive games from 12 December. This only applies to league and league cup fixtures, the FA has yet to decide about the FA Cup and Trophy. Clubs can start training and play friendlies from the lifting of the lockdown, subject to any new restrictions that may be imposed.

But United boss Agutter and his men will be ready to go , even if they can start earlier. He said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if they said, right everyone back on December 5. From our perspective if it is going to start on the fifth we will be prepared to get going. I doubt too many people will be reluctant to get going again but you never know. We just want to crack on with it.”

United went into the lockdown top of the Isthmian League table and Agutter, who has been busy during this period, is confident his players will be fit and raring to go.

He said: “Our college programme at the club is still continuing as it is classed as schooling and education. So I have been really busy.

“They [the players] are doing fine. They are working incredibly hard. It helps that a lot of them are still young and are at college so I get to see a lot of them. The ones we haven’t been able to see face-to-face have been doing a lot of hard work independently.”