GET SET...
Football takes a step closer to happy return
HOPES are growing that Non-League football up and down the country will be able to kick off as soon as September.
While the National League prepare to hold their much-delayed play-offs, there has been great uncertainty about when the National League System (Steps 1 to 7) would begin the up-coming 2020-21 campaign.
However, the publication of the Government’s return to recreational sport framework on Thursday has been seen as another step in the right direction, though factors like a
second wave could still throw a spanner in the works.
The FA are now working on a comprehensive action plan and related guidance for grassroots football which they will be required to submit to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.
English football’s governing body have also stated guidance is being developed for clubs in the National League System.
South West Peninsula League secretary Phil Hiscox told The NLP: “As a league, we are pleased with the way things are moving and we can hopefully start to plan for a new and full season.
“It’s a positive sign, we are getting there.”
However, Hiscox does believe there are still some issues that will need to be ironed out.
Protocols
“We know the FA have said that Steps 1 to 6 are between elite and recreational football and there will be some other conditions applied. We need to find out what the outcome is in terms of three main things – use of dressing rooms, travel to games and the number of people allowed to attend those games. Without a reasonable attendance, how is it funded?”
Hemel Hempstead Town chairman Dave Boggins is feeling more positive after the latest developments.
“I always believed we would start around mid-September if things went well,” said the Tudors chief, who expects to appoint a new manager early this week.
“We have informed our players that we will be coming back the last week of July anyway. Hopefully we can get the league started from September.”
Boggins also believes Non-League can adapt to whatever is required to fit the new protocols likely to be in place.
“It’s all achievable,” he added. “We can have 500 fans easily and social distance, and I’m sure many clubs are of the same opinion.”
United Counties League chairman Alan Poulain said: “I think a September/October restart is pretty realistic. It is a bit of positive news because we’re working towards that still.
Logistics
“We can start to make one or two plans. There’s a lot of work to be done beforehand.
“Hopefully the moment they give us the green light we can make sure the clubs have got everything they need to start as well.”
However, North West Counties League chairman Paul Lawler stressed the need for caution.
“There’s still a long way to go,” he told The NLP. “Grassroots football doesn’t have some of the issues of the National League System.
“For us to start games again, there are a lot of logistics that need to be worked through. The cost of implementing the rules and regulations is going to be pretty tricky.
“We want to play as soon as possible but only when clubs can do so safely. We will wait for further information from the Government and the FA – there are a lot of unanswered questions at the moment.”