A local football club has spoken out on the struggles the coronavirus pandemic has caused the club and its players.

FC Lions, who play at Derehams Lane in Loudwater, saw their season came to halt as all leagues across the country have been postponed due to the pandemic.

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Manager, Will Carter, knows how important playing football is for his team’s mental health especially in times like this.

He said: “Many of our players use Sunday League football as a release from the stresses and strains of normal life, work, and family conditions.

“Not being able to get those precious few hours away from it all has affected our happiness, wellbeing, and in some cases, our mental health.”

The club has also been financially affected by the pandemic with the loss of matchday subs.

As a result of the pandemic, the Berks & Bucks FA have also increased the tariff for yellow cards by 20% at the start of the season.

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Will continued: “The Pandemic has hit the club in many ways.

“Not being able to play or train has affected the club financially, as we haven't had the weekly income of players' training and matchday subs'.

“We have followed County FA's guidance with regards to Covid-19 Protocol.

“Team changing room & shower facilities remain locked and we e-mail or photograph teamsheets and submit them to the opposition and matchday referee.”

Will founded FC Lions after being involved in a six-a-side team called Six Lions in 2012 and during a conversation in the Dolphin pub the club was formed.

The club now has 1700 followers on social media and has a host of professional teams following them.

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European football giants, AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen follow the Sunday league club alongside Championship clubs Wigan Athletic and Wycombe Wanderers.

The club has plans to host a charity tournament as soon as the pandemic allows to support the various charities.

He said: “We want to use the connections we've made to aid our fundraising for a host of our charity partners - Prostate Cancer UK, Blood Cancer UK, and Young Minds.

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“We have begun collecting items from the football community to auction at a later date and we hope to host a huge and successful charity tournament when the pandemic allows us to bring clubs from all over the UK and Europe together in the aid of charity.”

If you would like to keep up to date with FC Lions you can find them on Twitter here.