Positive signs for supporters

THERE continues to be welcome and hopeful signs for football supporters as the long awaited new season nears.

As County gear up for what may be a pivotal season for the Club, they are still playing their pre-season games largely behind closed doors, but the grass roots pressure, championed by this column some weeks ago, has seen changes that have resulted in spectators being admitted to games albeit on a controlled basis, with numbers strictly limited also, at all levels below National League’s North and South.

This has seen County play their first pre-season game, with spectators admitted, last Saturday away against Northern Premier League side Colne FC, and while clubs operate any relaxation of restrictions sensibly and responsibly, continued moves in that direction should be welcomed.

Meanwhile the rumour mill has gone into overdrive, hinting that County’s September friendly against Kidderminster may be used as a pilot for the introduction of spectators at Edgeley Park.

With the caveat’s mentioned above adhered to, that would be a very welcome move indeed, for County supporters simply aching to see their team, so diligently being put together with a string of excellent signings by manager James Gannon, once again.

The current situation surrounding the pandemic has hit everyone hard, and the Supporters Cooperative is no exception.

The likely absence of spectators has meant that we have had to examine what we do.

Normally we would produce a Credit Card style Fixture List which we would distribute to fans free of charge, and we have also produced a glossy ‘Football Season Calendar ‘ chock full of quality photos of fans. Both of these popular items have had to be abandoned for this season.

So, we apologise to County supporters looking forward to either or both, but we will aim to produce them again when normality returns.