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A Bolton Wanderers player has gone into self-isolation after a coronavirus scare at a local football club.
Midfielder Sonny Graham, has taken precautionary steps after playing a trial game for Atherton Colls last weekend.
The Northern Premier League side has chosen to close its doors and cancel a friendly after five staff tested positive with the virus.
Wanderers begin their campaign with a Carabao Cup game against Bradford City tomorrow but club officials say Graham’s situation will have no bearing on the match going ahead.
A statement released to The Bolton News said: “The club was informed immediately and Sonny underwent a test and is currently isolating.
“He has not been in contact with anybody at Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
“All BWFC football department personnel have completed the latest COVID tests as per the protocols on Tuesday, with all results coming back negative.”
Colls have gone above and beyond the protocols laid down by the Football Association, which advise them to "remove from the equation" staff who test positive and then send those who have come into close contact for their own testing.
The club has sent all players, coaches and committee members for testing and have erred on the side of caution by cancelling a forthcoming game against Liversedge and requesting their next game, against Bury AFC on September 12, is pushed back by a couple of days to allow people to self-isolated and for a full deep clean of facilities.
Colls also insist they informed the league and last weekend’s opponents Northwich at the earliest possible opportunity to allow them to take the right measures.
A statement from the club released this morning read: “We would like to provide an update to our supporters following the cancellation of this week’s fixtures against Ramsbottom United and Liversedge FC.
“This precautionary decision was made in light of a recent positive coronavirus case within the club, which we were made aware of on Monday and to which we have responded with all due guidance being followed. All members of our squad and backroom staff have been tested, and all relevant parties have been informed.
“The club would like to reiterate the hard work we have put into the return of football over the last few months, and we would like to reassure supporters that we have followed all Government and FA guidance in order to keep our squad, supporters and volunteers as safe and healthy as possible as a matter of priority.
“We will provide a further update in due course.”
Graham broke into the first team at the age of just 17 last season, making 18 appearances. He was earmarked to play for Colls over the next few months whilst simultaneously training with Bolton on a day-to-day basis at Lostock.
The loan move has understandably been put on hold for now – but could be resurrected once he has completed his self-isolation period.
Source
Midfielder Sonny Graham, has taken precautionary steps after playing a trial game for Atherton Colls last weekend.
The Northern Premier League side has chosen to close its doors and cancel a friendly after five staff tested positive with the virus.
Wanderers begin their campaign with a Carabao Cup game against Bradford City tomorrow but club officials say Graham’s situation will have no bearing on the match going ahead.
A statement released to The Bolton News said: “The club was informed immediately and Sonny underwent a test and is currently isolating.
“He has not been in contact with anybody at Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
“All BWFC football department personnel have completed the latest COVID tests as per the protocols on Tuesday, with all results coming back negative.”
Colls have gone above and beyond the protocols laid down by the Football Association, which advise them to "remove from the equation" staff who test positive and then send those who have come into close contact for their own testing.
The club has sent all players, coaches and committee members for testing and have erred on the side of caution by cancelling a forthcoming game against Liversedge and requesting their next game, against Bury AFC on September 12, is pushed back by a couple of days to allow people to self-isolated and for a full deep clean of facilities.
Colls also insist they informed the league and last weekend’s opponents Northwich at the earliest possible opportunity to allow them to take the right measures.
A statement from the club released this morning read: “We would like to provide an update to our supporters following the cancellation of this week’s fixtures against Ramsbottom United and Liversedge FC.
“This precautionary decision was made in light of a recent positive coronavirus case within the club, which we were made aware of on Monday and to which we have responded with all due guidance being followed. All members of our squad and backroom staff have been tested, and all relevant parties have been informed.
“The club would like to reiterate the hard work we have put into the return of football over the last few months, and we would like to reassure supporters that we have followed all Government and FA guidance in order to keep our squad, supporters and volunteers as safe and healthy as possible as a matter of priority.
“We will provide a further update in due course.”
Graham broke into the first team at the age of just 17 last season, making 18 appearances. He was earmarked to play for Colls over the next few months whilst simultaneously training with Bolton on a day-to-day basis at Lostock.
The loan move has understandably been put on hold for now – but could be resurrected once he has completed his self-isolation period.
Source