Football returns to Gayton Park on Saturday April 3rd - though sadly behind closed doors.

It looks like it won't be until May 17th that supporters will be permitted to attend games.

The first match will see Heswall Football Club Reserves and Youth team in action; while on the Bank Holiday Monday April 5th, the First Team will be playing away at Ashville in the Wirral Senior Cup.

Also on that day, the Reserves are away to Neston Nomads in the Wirral Amateur Cup, and the Youth team will be at home to Kelma Vets in the Wirral Junior Cup.

Lockdowns, particularly this one, have been tough for everyone, and keen amateur footballers, deprived of training and the intensity of 90 minutes' regular competition, have had to find ways of dealing with their own kind of pressures.

Robbie Matthews, Chairman of Heswall FC, says the club has had to adapt and innovate.

"Given that we have been unable to train in groups under the current guidelines, we have had to undertake one-to-one sessions with individual players. This has been a great opportunity to get the lads back involved and with a ball at their feet.

"Across the lockdown period, our managers set up online groups to monitor the fitness work undertaken by the players, and we have been really impressed by their commitment to keep up with the running and stamina training, but of course right now we are eager to get them back on the pitch.

"The feedback from the players has been really positive, and the general feeling is that while running and cycling has kept them in good shape physically, they thrive more in the team environment and really want to get back together out on the pitch.

"As a club we have been really keen to promote not only physical exercise, but also ensuring our lads are looking after their mental health. We appreciate that these uncertain times can be a challenge for many people, so some online group activities have been a great help - we've had online quizzes, poker tournaments and the Fantasy Football has been great."

"All of us are really looking forward to watching or playing in the first game back."

Heswall FC aims to be more than just a football club, and become an ever more important and integral part of the community. Over the past year it has created initiatives to help anyone locally who has struggled with the emotional and economic consequences of the pandemic.

Which means the club can be supported on the pitch, and off.

Right now though, all eyes at Heswall FC are focused on April 3rd.

As Robbie says: "I can't wait."