Live Facebook chats are a hit for Spalding United boss as he bids to help fill the void

Spalding United interim manager Lewis Thorogood intents to hold weekly chats live on Facebook to help people during what is a tough period for many people.

The coronavirus crisis has led to all football being cancelled and many people are on lockdown or in self-isolation.

Thorogood held his first live stream on Monday night, with more than 300 people viewing and over 130 comments made.

The Tulips chief plans to make it a regular thing and wants anybody who is feeling a little lonely to get involved if they can.

“My idea was to be able to do something for the Spalding United fans,” said Thorogood. “I’m sure a lot of people are missing their football at the moment.

“But we had more than 300 people getting involved – I wish we got those kind of numbers on matchday!

“We had people not associated with Spalding United, the Pinchbeck United chairman (Gary Coomes) for example, all getting involved.

“That’s great, I think it’s good for people to talk. Moving forward I think it’s just a chance for people to get together and have a chat. If it’s football, great. But we can just talk to each other and have a discussion, which is important for people’s mental health.

“Some people will find being in isolation difficult and will dwell on things too much, so at least this will be a chance for them to get things off their chest.

“I had a few former players get in touch and say the live chat was a good thing to do, so I’ll look to keep it going. Maybe we can get other managers or players involved too, who knows.”

All at Spalding United remain in limbo as regards what will happen with the remainder of the 2019/20 BetVictor NPL South East Division season, with no official decision reached on how to move forward.

Thorogood quipped that he has still been forced to try and register players ahead of today’s transfer deadline, should he want to add any fresh faces to a squad that is unlikely to have to play again this season.

Follow @SpaldingUnited on Twitter of ‘like’ them on Facebook for live chat updates.