IT’S NEW ERA AS THE FANS RETURN
AT LAST NonLeague supporters were back to what they do best – and quickly adapted to the new way of watching matches.
The limited crowd restrictions meant not all fans could make a return, some may not have felt comfortable in the current climate, but those who did ensured a promising first weekend of action.
Clubs have been eagerly awaiting the green light from the DCMS, which arrived this week, and then they had to work quickly to make sure Covid regulations were being adhered to.
Rectory Meadows, home of Combined Counties Premier Division side Hanworth Villa, was no exception.
Loyal chairman Gary Brunning and club secretary Dave Brown, with their willing band of committee members, ensured no stone was left unturned in hosting their pre-season friendly with Woking yesterday.
Step 5 clubs are limited to crowds of 150 in the first stage, rising to 300 from next month. For the Millers, this usually wouldn’t be a problem but the well-supported National League Cards promised to take it to closer to the cap.
Together
Both clubs worked together to ensure supporters were aware of the capacity limit and how to secure tickets in advance.
Hanworth encouraged fans to email the club to reserve their place and issued warnings that entry may be refused should capacity be met, which it was.
On arrival, club officials, in their smart Hanworth polos, took down name, address and contact numbers as part of Test and Trace efforts while also conducting temperature tests.
The three-sided ground had more than enough space for attendees to adhere to social distancing and the tidy Hanworth social club, used five days-a-week with a large outdoor space, operated a one-way system and made sure only one person at a time approached the bar.
Outside, the club closed one stand to avoid grouping and used their 50-seater for some spectators and substitutes. Brunning, hands-on as usual on matchday, was finally intercepted by The NLP when putting in the corner flags.
“It’s good to have fans back but it’s come at the wrong time with Woking,” he said. “It would have been a good pay day, we could have done with the extra 200 people paying £5 on the gate, and we’ve got Hampton & Richmond coming on Monday.
“The restrictions have been difficult to cope with because we’ve only had two days to get things in place, but we’ve managed it.
“During the lockdown, we were able to work on the ground and facilities. We reckon we’ve clocked 2,000 man-hours of volunteers’ time during the work parties on Thursdays and Saturdays.
“As a club we’re further ahead than we would have been without the Covid break.”
Brunning has been involved with Hanworth almost since it was formed in 1976, as have many of the other committee members.
He played for the club for 25 years and has been chairman for at least 20, but admits it’s a team effort.
“It’s a loose title really. It’s all discussed as mates, everyone wants the same thing ultimately,” he said.
“We’ve got a management committee which has 13 or 14 people on it and then a committee of four. Without the management committee you wouldn’t get things done.” have only been relegated once in their history, for failing ground grading, and are looking to push on this season.
Brilliant
Manager Simon Haughney steered the club away from danger last season and has formed a good group for the new campaign.
Sam Merson, son of Arsenal and England legend Paul, was playing for St Albans City at Step 2 last season but has been lured to west London.
He scored twice either side of Dave Tarpey’s brilliant free-kick for the visitors, who played mostly their first team in the opening period before fielding trialists in the second half.
Sam’s brother, Ben, then scored the pick of the goals with a first-time lob to secure the result.
“We’re listening to the guidelines, as soon as we hear things we act on it and try to be as safe as possible,” said Haughney. “The preparation I’m not used to but it’s fine, it’s the same for everyone.
“I do feel from last season the difference is our depth in the squad. There’s a realHanworth ly good atmosphere so we’re happy.”
Despite being on the wrong end of the result, Woking fan and groundhopper Andy Turner went home happy too. “I went to Bracknell Town against Slough for their game this morning and it was very well organised,” he said. “They were using evePASS for track and trace which worked well.
“Under normal circumstances, this being the first game supporters can watch their team, there was a likelihood some clubs could have been inundated, but it’s been very pleasant.”