Millom Rugby League Club, like all other sporting organisations, is in lock down and the players don't know when they will be back in action.

The oldest amateur rugby league team in the country, dating back to 1873, the club is keen to get players back in action and welcome back the local community to their wonderful clubhouse.

Woolybacks stalwart, former Barla international, and paramedic, Gary Kelly, is taking things one day at a time while his players are not allowed down at the club.

Kelly said: “The lads have been informed to keep themselves fit by our coach Tom Sibley and be ready for when the season gets under way. However, one problem we will have to be aware of is how long the break will be, when it starts once more, and how will we fit in all the fixtures.

"We are a National Conference side playing games in Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Humberside. There are not many blank Saturdays so mid week games will have to be arranged. That won't be any good for Millom, we won't be able to get lads off work to travel down the motorways on a Wednesday night, while other teams won't be happy if they have to come to Millom mid-week”

There could be headaches all round, not only for Kelly and his club, but for the Conference management.

Kelly added “It's a pity really, the season had just got under way with us only playing two games. We beat Oldham St Annes and drew at Hensingham. Now it's all disrupted the players are absolutely gutted.

"When we restart, will we go straight into fixtures or will we have a couple of weeks to get the lads together and work things out? Who knows on that one.

"Will the Conference carry on for this year? I think it depends on how long we are laid up, or there could be a 'forget it and just play local teams as friendlies'.”

The latter point point could be the answer as all eight local teams play in either the Conference or North West Mens League.

Kelly said this year's six aside competition was a good idea: “The Barrow and District league introduced a six-a-side competition because last year 'A' teams on many occasions were struggling for players, meaning games were being called off.

"The six-a-side competition at Askam under lights on a Friday night was becoming popular, ensuring 'A' team players were seeing some action but now that's on hold."

Millom rugby league club have had some great years producing many BARLA internationals, and at one time in 1980s they had five players in the Great Britain team.

Jim Bawden, Mick James, Steve Mossop, Peter Knowles and Joe Jackson all received Great Britain honours.

They also played one of the top professional teams at the time, Hull, at the Old Boulevard ground in the Challenge Cup - putting up a brave show but losing out 33-10 before 10,000 spectators.

Kelly added: "We have a great club house where we rely on income through weddings, christenings, etc., but we can put up with that loss at present - we are quite healthy financially."