ECCLESHILL United boss Lee Elam thinks it is a 'shame' the season has been forced to stop after his side had only just got going.

The Eagles were unbeaten in three before the national lockdown paused their Northern Counties East League Premier Division campaign until December 2.

United had been fortunate to get out on the pitch as much as they did.

With their mid-week 3-2 victory over neighbours Silsden, they became the second joint-highest side to play the most games in the league (10).

Despite, beginning with a trio of defeats, the 10th-placed team's luck had started to change.

Four wins in their next seven was certainly top-half form.

Elam is disappointed to pause but understands the reasons why it had to happen.

He said: "With the government regulations, we all expected it again.

"We had a slow start but with a few changes, the lads were coming together and getting familiar with each other.

"It's a shame that it has ended now when we were getting on a bit of a run.

" In the last few weeks, we have had four new faces come in. We have done quite well, even with 10 men the other night we dug deep and showed our good fighting spirit.

"All the other teams had games on as well but they may have had covid issues. We weren't in the cup competitions so we could get the league games in."

Many clubs will now be left in November unsure how to keep busy with no training allowed either.

Elam wants his players to remain fit though as it is unknown at the moment whether it will be business as usual when play does resume.

He added: "I have got a few off-season fitness programs that I have sent out just to keep them ticking over.

"It is then down to them to look after themselves and make sure when we are back we can continue to keep the run going.

"If they say you can play straight away then you are immediately at it again. It is a strange one. We have to be ready as well as the fans."

The Eccy manager is also not worried that anything like the voiding of last season will occur in 2020/21.

He is confident the campaign will finish and hopes clubs can financially survive this period of uncertainty.

Elam said: "Every club is different in terms of finances and what they are doing behind the scenes.

"Every club will do what they can to look after themselves. I don’t know how they will do it.

"You just want to keep active, healthy and play first and foremost. You want to win and do well. I hope it will finish.

"They will have to extend the season which I don’t see any problems with."