Is football really coming back?

By Arthur17/7/2020 17:05Fri Jul 17 17:05:19 2020

Views: 589

According to Boris, unless there are any unforeseen circumstances, we will be able to watch football in a stadium from October. I really hope so and can't wait. All we really need to know now is will there be pre-season friendlies behind closed doors, and can we delay the start of the season till we can get along? What we need to do is get as many along to watch the Swans to help the club. Our Chairman is obviously still trying to get the long term tenure of Wheatsheaf Park fixed. We need to get the gate receipts up, to attract better players, to increase gates, to get promotion and so on. Let's get behind the club. The town needs its team and we need to help the club. COYS

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Re: Is football really coming back?

By albatross17/7/2020 22:40Fri Jul 17 22:40:25 2020In response to Is football really coming back?Top of thread

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I'm not sure if Boris is referring to the professional game or the whole spectrum, but, in the NLP recently, possibly last weeks issue, there was a hint that September for the non-league pyramid was a possibility.

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Re: Is football really coming back?

By GeeJay (GJ)18/7/2020 09:58Sat Jul 18 09:58:56 2020In response to Re: Is football really coming back?Top of thread

Views: 558

If (as seems likely) gates are limited to, say, 25% of capacity that could be a problem for Wheatsheaf Park- where are we going to find an extra 500 fans? 😄
Being serious though, I’m sure the non-league game will benefit by attracting fans excluded from Premier / Championship games in London, as is the case with non-League day. And with the management team in place and the pitch looking great, I for one am looking forward to seeing the Swans in action soon, starting, hopefully, with pre-season friendlies.

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Re: Is football really coming back?

By albatross18/7/2020 20:43Sat Jul 18 20:43:40 2020In response to Re: Is football really coming back?Top of thread

Views: 557

Just seen this from the FA on the Isthmian League web-site:

Until 31st July - When ready you can begin competitive training. Overall groups, including coaches, limited to 30
From August - Competitive matches to begin, eg friendlies, festivals and small sided matches

From September - Grassroots leagues, men's National League System, Women's Football Pyramid steps 3-6 and FA Cup competitions. The Isthmian League has scheduled the 19th September as the start date for their new season.

There is a lot of other information, mainly regarding the restrictions and precautions to be taken by clubs and players and staff. As far as I could see, it didn't say anything about restricting the number of spectators allowed into games.

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Re: Is football really coming back?

By GeeJay (GJ)19/7/2020 09:09Sun Jul 19 09:09:51 2020In response to Re: Is football really coming back?Top of thread

Views: 506

Unfortunately it seems plans to allow for spectators are, still work in progress, with the news item concluding:

“ Current Government guidance: Gatherings of more than 30 people are not permitted while social distancing. Therefore, clubs are unable to have gatherings or spectators of any size at this time for any matches or training.
We are currently working with DCMS and other key stakeholders to understand the timescale for the return to spectators at sporting events. Initial discussions have identified that it will be difficult to return to competitive matches without the ability to welcome some form of spectators to matches. There is no current available or formal guidance. The following guidance is designed to provide clubs with suggested considerations to prepare for spectators based on social distancing. Government guidance: Gatherings of more than 30 people are not permitted while social distancing. Therefore, clubs are unable to have gatherings or spectators of any size at this time for any matches or training.“

Let’s hope common sense prevails and the authorities come up with a meaningful plan of action. For sure, as noted, football at this level is nothing without spectators (and probably not viable anyway).

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