Team effort has put us on the right path

FINALLY, at 17:05 on Tuesday afternoon, the news we’ve all been waiting for was posted on Twitter – of all places. “We’ve clarified guidance for organisers of non-elite sports events to help them admit spectators safely – with social distancing,” wrote sports minister Nigel Huddleston. “The FA definition of non-elite means football clubs from Level 7 (below National League North and South) can admit some spectators.”

And that was that. As if posting a quick message on the train home, with a link to guidance on the gov.uk website that hadn’t been updated at that point.

The sports minister was no doubt trying to get the latest problem off his plate following the letter sent the night before signed by more than 30 MPs calling for NonLeague clubs to be allowed to open their gates again.

A full reply was posted a couple of hours later which – perhaps unfairly to the FA who have been working tirelessly along with the leagues to plead the case – made out as if that had been the ruling all along.

At least it was a breakthrough. The frustration at seeing much of the country head back to normal, with people allowed in pubs and cinemas but not open-air football grounds with social distancing, had been building for some time.

The #LetFansIn campaign that trended on social media quickly gathered momentum – helped by the efforts of Dorking Wanderers and Concord Rangers – with a petition signed by more than 10,000 people in a matter of hours adding to the head of steam.

But it was also the excellent work led by Dame Cheryl Gillan MP and Tracey Crouch MP that helped push it over the line and get it on the desk at the highest level of government.

Yesterday fans, albeit in small numbers, returned to watch Non-League football. It will allow clubs to stimulate their cashflow and work towards the new season.

Leagues and some clubs are calling for the initial capacity limits to be more reflective of their ground capacities. But this is at least a start and getting this signed off has been no mean feat with the government highly sensitive about anything that could jeopardise the positive direction.

Of course, Steps 1 and 2 are still waiting to get the green light. Grouped in as ‘elite’, their campaign to open the turnstiles continues and club chairmen have told us this week they are keeping positive.

Let’s hope they get good news soon too. Because Non-League football can show the way back for even bigger crowds.

It’s been fantastic to see how small clubs up and down the country have mobilised their volunteer workforces to get games on with spectators.

As the recent survey we featured in partnership with the Football Supporters’ Association showed, the vast majority of people trust their clubs to make things safe.

We can all see the efforts going in and we are all rightly proud of the spirit shown at this level of the game we all love so much.

It’s going to be a fine line. There may be setbacks along the way. Everyone has a collective responsibility to do their bit. We’re confident everyone will. Enjoy the football again!