WARRINGTON moved into a Tier Three coronavirus lockdown this morning and will live under the toughest government restrictions for at least the next 28 days.

With new curbs on movement into, out of and around the town, what does this mean for amateur and semi-professional football?

Warrington Town and Warrington Rylands are in the early stages of their league campaigns while the grassroots game had also got underway.

Here is how the new restrictions affect the game, both for players and spectators…

Because Town and Rylands operate at Steps Three and Five of the National League System respectively, they will still be allowed to proceed with fixtures.

As players at those levels receive money to play, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have confirmed that travelling to and from fixtures is classed as work, so teams can come into and out of Warrington to play without fear of reproach.

In terms of paying spectators, the advice remains that fans should not attend amateur and semi-professional sporting fixtures.

However, they may do so if they wish subject to adhering to the rule of six and other social distancing guidelines.

Both Warrington teams are at home this evening – Yellows face Buxton at Cantilever Park while Rylands welcome Whitchurch Alport to Gorsey Lane. Both games kick off at 7.45pm.

Capacity limits remain in place – Warrington Town home games are to be watched by a maximum of 600 spectators while up to 300 people can attend Warrington Rylands home fixtures.

Lower down the pyramid, however, things are changing.

The Cheshire Football League, which includes teams in both Tier Two and Tier Three, has had to remodel fixtures as players, coaches and spectators are not allowed to travel into or out of Tier Three zones.

It means Warrington teams can only play each other – this weekend, Greenalls PSO will take on Eagle Sports at Long Lane.

The Warrington and District Football League has fixtures currently scheduled for this weekend and the Warrington Junior Football League will resume fixtures this weekend having initially been suspended.