People are missing sport, like Myrtleford life member Phillip Martin

The state government announced it was not relaxing COVID-19 restrictions and while crowds at community football wasn't mentioned, the vibe for their return is largely negative.

Basically, if there are no crowds, there is no football.

Playing and watching local sport is being missed by so many in the community and nobody is hurting more than a likeable Myrtleford life member.

Phillip Martin, who has cerebral palsy, first attended a Saints' game as a 10-year-old with his father in 1978 after growing up on a farm at Bruarong, between Myrtleford and Yackandandah.

His older brothers Rick and Ross joined the Saints, but later left. Phillip's never left.

"I am missing the footy big time," he said.

Martin has had a number of roles, including filling the drinks bottles for the three grades, while he's recently been the umpires' escort.

"When you mention his name, it brings a smile to peoples' faces," president Ian Wales said of the tremendously popular stalwart.

His elevation to Myrtleford life membership, which has a minimum of 20 years service, was an enormously emotional moment.

"I'm missing the people, it's the footballers, netballers, trainers, it's everyone that gets involved with the football and netball club," he said proudly.

If the season does start, there's a fear the coronavirus health protocols will add too much workload and potentially lead to volunteer burnout.

"When you're involved with a club, not so much as a player, but on the committee and around the club a lot, you understand that volunteers are very hard to come by and especially ones as loyal and committed as Phil," Wales said.

"Everyone has a lot of respect for Phil. He's reliable, he wouldn't do anyone a bad turn and what you see is what you get."

The Border-based Martin doesn't generally return to Myrtleford as much over the off-season, although he did try to sneak a peek at the only recruit in the league to come straight from an AFL list in former GWS big man Dawson Simpson.

"I went there on the Australia Day long weekend, but he had work commitments," he said.

Like many involved in sporting groups, it provides Martin with his greatest interaction.

But he's not worried to go it alone, travelling to the Caribbean last year.

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"I loved the islands, the people, the culture, the scenery, it's all just one amazing place," he said.

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