NEWS WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE TO THE FA CUP, STRESSES HUGHES

SOUTHERN League vice-chairman Anthony Hughes says opening the turnstiles is a big breakthrough that will negate a lot of the fears that were mounting.

Already plans were being discussed if the scheduled start date of September 19 for the Step 3 and 4 leagues would have to be put back.

three competitions published, on Monday, a timeline with six different scenarios for what would have to happen assuming fans weren’t allowed in grounds.

But the clarification by sports minister Nigel Huddleston has put the planned back in pole position – and, crucially, it also means FA Cup games at the start of next month can be played with crowds.

“It’s really good news, it’s positive and it’s the news we’ve been waiting for,” Hughes told The NLP. “In getting this stage completed, it now means we can concentrate on other mat ters – such as if any problems arise throughout the season and try to come up with solutions to combat those situations.

“But all our efforts at the moment have been trying to get supporters allowed in so clubs can at least function. So this is really good news.

“The clubs are quite ingenious. They are more reliable than people give them credit for in terms of preparations, risk assessments and the protocols that are being put in place. They are really up to speed.

“The big concern for us was the FA Cup starting in September. We have some clubs who are in the extra preliminary round and we were particularly

concerned spectators might not be able to get into those games and the costs of travel etc might prohibit some clubs from actually taking part in the FA Cup.

“We were worried some might withdraw. Then there was the additional problem that if our season starts on September 19 – and until recently we were even talking about possibly having to defer until October if no fans were allowed in – then clubs might have to pay players for four-six weeks without any competitive football after the FA Cup. That was a worry. So this news has negated so many fears. It has been a big breakthrough.”

Clubs have to publish their risk assessments online and Covid officers must be appointed while they will also be keeping in touch with the local authorities.

“Clubs, in the main, know where they are going and what they have to do,” Hughes said. “We’re having to deal with things like how we transport teams to games, which will obviously be different.

“Obviously, 16-seat minibuses are a no-go. If you look at a 52-seater coach with a team on there and some staff, 20-odd people, we think that may be possible. But that increases the cost for a lot of clubs who wouldn’t normally use coaches.

“There was a fear at one stage players would have to go in individual cars – we don’t think that is the case. But there is a cost implication so that’s tricky. It’s just getting over those sort of hurdles.

“I’m hopeful that, like when the EFL and Premier League started, within ten or so days, games were going ahead and we weren’t thinking about it. I hope when we get into it, it will become natural for clubs.”