Start Of The New Season - CONFIRMED

[Rhodes]

On 10/08/2020 at 12:48, Rhodes said:

A letter has been sent to the FA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by Northern Counties East Football League Secretary Matt Jones asking for some sort of clarity on when fans and supporters can be allowed into games, the situation is becoming critical now for some Club's who have had no income for five months now since the middle of March:

https://twitter.com/mattjones1973/status/1292720352892682240

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport have issued a statement today and aren't changing their stance in any way, shape or form, they're like parrots aren't they and keep repeating 'when it is deemed safe to do so':

[Rhodes]

I understand that Step Five and Step Six League Secretaries have been cordially invited to an FA meeting next Monday, 17 August, at 6.30pm to receive an update on the current position on a variety of issues including the proposed start date of the new campaign from early next month, watch this space for details after about 8.00pm on Monday:

[Rhodes]

This is an interesting newspaper article and doesn't pull its punches, unfortunately Boris Johnson isn't a football supporter and doesn't have a clue about the game, otherwise things might have been different:

[Rhodes]

Padiham Cricket Club and Padiham Football Club in Lancashire near to Burnley, spot the difference:

[Savagebee]

[tringarmy]

It would seem a few clubs are yet to get the memo about behind closed doors for friendlies! 

[Rhodes]

TringArmy - Like Bovingdon you mean

[Rhodes]

There was a feature on BBC Breakfast this morning, lets hope the Government some take notice but don't hold your breath:

 

[tringarmy]

On 16/08/2020 at 02:53, Rhodes said:

TringArmy - Like Bovingdon you mean

It does seem odd that they actually advertised it. Also seen pictures from Aylesbury Utd supporters at MK Irish & reasonable sized crowds at some step 6 clubs in other leagues. 

[Rhodes]

The latest statement from the FA and the same old 'blarney', if they really wanted to do something for their Club's instead of selling them down the river then they would move heaven and earth to do so:

[Rhodes]

On 12/08/2020 at 13:33, Rhodes said:

I understand that Step Five and Step Six League Secretaries have been cordially invited to an FA meeting next Monday, 17 August, at 6.30pm to receive an update on the current position on a variety of issues including the proposed start date of the new campaign from early next month, watch this space for details after about 8.00pm on Monday:

Step Five and Step Six League Secretaries meet with the FA this evening to receive an update on the current position on a variety of issues including the proposed start date of the new campaign, hopefully things will be a lot clearer by this time tomorrow but don't bother holding your breath.

[Rhodes]

9 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Step Five and Step Six League Secretaries meet with the FA this evening to receive an update on the current position on a variety of issues including the proposed start date of the new campaign, hopefully things will be a lot clearer by this time tomorrow but don't bother holding your breath.

Well they are under way at the meeting this evening, I wonder how it is going so far, hopefully whoever is representing the SSML will stand up and be counted and not just pay lip service to what is presented by the FA

[Rhodes]

I see there is a thread on another Forum entitled 'Social Distancing in Non-League Games' which Karen has commented on, it's a shame that she can't comment on our own Forum and strange too seeing as she used to be so active:

https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forums/index.php?threads/social-distancing-in-non-league-games.2008/page-2

[Rhodes]

On 16/08/2020 at 03:53, Rhodes said:

TringArmy - Like Bovingdon you mean

TringArmy - Well this seemed to be perfectly acceptable to the match Referee at Bovingdon on Saturday:

Edited August 17, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

A Non League Paper on-line article with a group of MP's, led by Dame Cheryl Gillan (MP for Chesham & Amersham) and Tracey Crouch (MP for Chatham & Aylesford), getting behind the campaign to let fans in: 

https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/national-league-step-one/31370/mps-fall-in-behind-letfansin-campaign-to-allow-supporters-in/?utm_medium=onesignal&utm_source=push_notifications&utm_campaign=web_push

A letter signed by Gillan was sent to Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston last night (Monday) calling for the blanket ban at football grounds to be lifted with a special exemption made for Non-League.

[Savagebee]

14 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Well they are under way at the meeting this evening, I wonder how it is going so far, hopefully whoever is representing the SSML will stand up and be counted and not just pay lip service to what is presented by the FA

Any news then?

[Rhodes]

9 hours ago, Rhodes said:

A Non League Paper on-line article with a group of MP's, led by Dame Cheryl Gillan (MP for Chesham & Amersham) and Tracey Crouch (MP for Chatham & Aylesford), getting behind the campaign to let fans in: 

https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/national-league-step-one/31370/mps-fall-in-behind-letfansin-campaign-to-allow-supporters-in/?utm_medium=onesignal&utm_source=push_notifications&utm_campaign=web_push

A letter signed by Gillan was sent to Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston last night (Monday) calling for the blanket ban at football grounds to be lifted with a special exemption made for Non-League.

It is encouraging that MP's are getting behind the campaign to let fans in, for all the good it will do:

Edited August 18, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

4 hours ago, Savagebee said:

Any news then?

Savagebee - Your picture said it all about yesterday's meeting between the FA and Step Five and Step Six League Secretaries:

The FA meeting has just finished. There is still no definite date for spectators to be re-admitted but the FA are hopeful of an answer from the Govt. by early next week at the latest. The DCMS have apparently approved the FA plan but the final word rests with No.10.

[petethegreek]

 

Sports minister says fans can return to grounds at Step 3 and below

 

https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/31385/sports-minister-says-fans-can-return-to-grounds-at-step-3-and-below/?fbclid=IwAR3D9mroi9j4ZvU-19X2o5hcOlUWGMBCgkFdxe_SLSlc9zq9MR0fvoJC5YA

[Savagebee]