How footballers from Premier League, Portsmouth and National League levels can help keep spirit of nation up during lockdown

That’s the view of Hawks striker Joe Iaciofano, who is among the minority of players allowed to continue their seasons across the four-week tightening of Covid-19 restrictions starting tomorrow.

Despite more stringent measures coming into force, clubs in the top six tiers of English football will be able to carry on training and with matches.

It means players from the National League South and North divisions, all the way up to the Premier League, can continue behind closed doors.

‘Obviously, it’s not a great situation in the country,’ he admitted.

‘But on a personal note it is good for us, it keeps us occupied.

‘Not a lot of people have the luxury to do what we’re doing.

‘We’re really fortunate and I’m thankful that the country is allowing us to keep going.

‘It is exciting because we want to keep everyone’s spirits high and football does that, it does keep the country going. If we can just keep entertaining the people and keep doing what we do, it’s great.

‘For me personally, it is great to be out training and be among the boys and just keep doing what I love to do and keep playing football.’

Iaciofano is relieved a blanket ban was not placed on football, like in the first lockdown.

The 22-year-old admitted it was a strange situation for all involved, but he admits Hawks can have no excuses should their form start to slip in the next month.

‘It was strange to have it taken away but that was the situation we were in,’ said Iaciofano, referring to the first lockdown.

‘We had to keep fit and we had to do our own little bits which was fine.

‘We had to do it, there was no exception last time.

‘Fortunately, this time we have been made an exception and we’ve got to make the most of it and train hard.

‘We can’t use anything as an excuse and just keep doing what we’re doing, keep plugging away and working hard.’