Following a period of very careful consideration of all factors involved, and in consultation with local leagues, the Essex County FA Board of Directors have made the exceptionally difficult decision that there will be no further matches played in any County Cups this season.

As such, there unfortunately will not be an Essex Senior Cup competition during 2020/21.

We’d like to thank all the clubs for their feedback regarding a potential Essex Senior Cup during the earlier parts of the season, but unfortunately subsequent restrictions have made it difficult to run a competition this season.

This decision means leagues and clubs can plan scenarios accordingly for any potential return, and to give as much opportunity as possible for league programmes to be concluded.

The County FA continue to monitor the Government’s communications on any potential revision of lockdown restrictions and, if/when football returns, it is felt crucial that the football fixture landscape needs to be as uncomplicated a picture as possible for leagues and clubs to maximise any remaining time in the season.

This decision means County Cups won't impact on competitions’ abilities to complete their own fixtures. The decision was extremely difficult to make.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chairman Andy Chaplin, explained: “It was fully recognised the experience and opportunity that County Cups provide and how integral these competitions are within a normal season.”

“However, the current National Lockdown, following on from the November Lockdown, has severely impacted the ability for the competitions to progress. The collective focus continues to be on the wider landscape of grassroots football and supporting leagues and clubs to return whenever it is safe and practical to do so in the future.”

We wish everybody good luck for the remainder of the season but recognise that, much like society, football is likely to be unpredictable for the foreseeable future. More importantly, we hope you and your loved ones stay safe.