A New Start For Stadium Supporters

Non-league footballWith the government further updating its guidance on recreational team sports events, supporters will now be allowed to attend stadia again to watch live matches in the seventh tier of the football pyramid and below.

For the first time since the pandemic began clubs in the leagues below the National League North and South will once again be able to open their gates to spectators in what could be the difference in a tunnel of light appearing in the fight for survival of some of the clubs involved.

A clear distinction has been created between the return of fans to elite sport, whereby pilots will be required before any extended expansion if reviewed from October 1st.

The new guidance was presented after more than 30 MP’s wrote to sports minister Nigel Huddleston pleading for the urgent return of fans to non-league clubs in order to aid their survival.

Allow some clarifications are still required the protocols drawn up included that fans must abide by social distancing rules, and spectator groups must be restricted to "discrete six-person gathering limits". Organisers of any events that are likely to attract larger crowds will require a "named person or persons with responsibility for ensuring adherence with these guidelines and ensuring the facility is Covid-19 secure".

A full risk assessment would also be required, limiting the number of spectators, whilst assisting with the NHS Track and Trace scheme by collecting the necessary information from those fans attending.

It’s a positive step that can display a way forward for the safe return of larger numbers of fans, but as the letter presented to the sports minister had suggested, it could be critical to the survival of some of the clubs at this level who rely heavily on the match-day revenues this will hopefully re-invigorate.