The FA have confirmed that non-elite football will cease during the second Covid-19 lockdown.

New measures come into force on Thursday and are due to last until December 2.

It puts the season on hold for Kent’s Isthmian League and Southern Counties East clubs, with fixtures and training suspended.

Government minister Michael Gove has already admitted the fresh lockdown could be extended but the FA remain committed to completing the football season.

They said in a statement: “Our aim is to ensure that the 2020-21 season is completed at these levels and (we) will liaise with the relevant leagues in the National League System and Women’s Football Pyramid and the County Football Associations to provide support and establish appropriate options to do so if required.

“Re-starting football at these levels has taken substantial determination and commitment from stakeholders across the game and we would like to thank everyone for their vital contributions.

“However, health and wellbeing remain the priority, so it is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the UK government’s new national Covid-19 restrictions during this period.”

Yesterday, the FA confirmed that all FA Cup first-round ties would go ahead as planned, even those featuring non-elite clubs.

It puts the likes of Cray Valley in a strange position as, should they beat Havant this weekend, they couldn't train or play again until the second round, scheduled for November 28.

As elite sport, the Premier League, Football League and National League will continue behind closed doors.

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent