On this day in 2020, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on football was becoming increasingly evident, particularly for clubs in the Premier League and EFL.
Tony Mowbray, the then Blackburn Rovers' manager, confirmed that all players and staff had met with the club doctor to receive guidance on the best steps to take as the pandemic worsened.
Around this time, Rovers trained as normal, with no players in self-isolation, and the squad was expected to return to training the following week after a weekend off.
Mr Mowbray said: "The team, if there’s no-one showing symptoms, I think we should be coming in training, staying fit and getting ready for the next game, but there’s a balance in that.
"Anyone with symptoms needs to self-isolate away from the team."
The Premier League and EFL had announced that games would not resume until at least April 3, when Rovers were scheduled to host Leeds United.
However, this date appeared increasingly uncertain, with FA chairman Greg Clarke suggesting that the 2019/20 season might not reach a conclusion.
Now, we know that this match was indeed postponed, resulting in a 3-1 Leeds United win on July 4, later that year.
Rovers had already seen matches against Bristol City, Wigan Athletic, and Barnsley postponed, and with nine games remaining, it was becoming apparent that the season would be extended.
Discussions around the possibility of nullifying the season were also underway, with West Ham CEO Karren Brady advocating for such a 'radical' move.
Mr Mowbray expressed his desire to complete the current campaign, saying: "I think everyone would like to finish the current campaign.
"It doesn’t bare thinking about finishing the season without finishing the season."
He acknowledged the complexities of the situation, noting that he was relieved not to be the one making decisions about the next steps.
Financially, Rovers faced 'significant' challenges, with nine games left to play, four of which were at Ewood Park.
The visit of Leeds United was expected to draw over 7,500 fans, making it a 'crucial' revenue opportunity.
Chief executive Steve Waggott had previously indicated that matchday income constituted around 23-25 percent of the club's revenue.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire estimated that this figure could be as high as a third for clubs in lower leagues.
In addition to first-team matches, Rovers' Under-23, Under-18s, and Ladies fixtures were also postponed.
The Under-18s had reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup but would now have to wait for a new date to be set.
Furthermore, a Q&A evening featuring Chris Samba was cancelled, with the club assuring fans that all tickets would be honoured for the rearranged date.
As the situation evolved, questions arose regarding player contracts, particularly if the season extended into the summer months.
Now, looking back, these concerns were a strong indicator of things to come, as the Covid-19 pandemic continued to impact British sports for the coming years.
[From the Lancashire Telegraph of March 14, 2020]
