THE CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY
THE NON-LEAGUE Paper has teamed up with The Football Supporters’ Association to launch a return to football survey which will allow supporters to share their views on the game’s restart.
Non-League has always prided itself on being closer to the fans and the community, brought together by clubs, and this is a chance for loyal followers to be heard.
The survey launches today and will gather a picture of the attitudes of spectators to allow clubs and league administrators information that enables them to plan with more certainty.
In drafting the survey, The FSA – the national democratic group for football supporters in England and Wales – have consulted with clubs, supporter representatives and league officials.
We have heard from players, managers and administrators – now is the chance for supporters to have their say. We are encouraging as many fans, club officials and volunteers as possible to complete the survey to provide better data for us all.
It represents the biggest canvassing of opinions across the game since the declaration of the Health Emergency in March and the FA announcement on scenario planning considerations.
The survey is anonymous but gathers enough detailed data to allow analysis by club and league demographics to establish a baseline of pre-Covid-19 activity against anticipated post start of any new season activity and highlights any continuing areas of concern.
The survey covers positive and negative drivers for attitude and behaviours towards football at a time of wider economic and social concerns.
Supporters are being asked to contribute data on key business and operational elements such as attendance at matches (home and away), spend in the ground, what mitigation would make spectators feel safe including free text option.
The start of the new Non-League season is dependent on Government decisions and the developing picture more widely as lockdown restrictions are eased – but all levels will start at the same time, with fans.
The FSA said: “After the confusion and discord surrounding the end of the season, The FSA has welcomed The FA’s announcement that it is their intention for the whole of Non-League to restart as one game, whenever that might be.
“We give our backing to the FA’s decision that the Non-League season will only start when fans are allowed into grounds.
“The FSA believes that it is supremely important for the voice of football supporters to be heard in any discussions about the restart of football. “To obtain the most accurate view of fans of NonLeague we urge everyone to share the survey as far and wide as possible.”
The results will be published in The NLP on July 19 and shared with leagues and The FA.