The FA have banned spectators from being able to attend pre-season friendlies at Step 7 venues.
The timing of the Tuesday night announcement is bizarre, given that when the news was released fixtures at Step 7 grounds were being played with spectators watching.
However, it is not a total shock as Saturday saw matches all over the country played out in front of over 100 people. The Government are “still sensitive” about large gatherings and last week delayed pilot tests at cricket and snooker events involving several thousand people.
In the instance of Wombwell Town’s friendly with Belper Town, just 100 people were in attendance.
Now the rules of only club officials and those with under 18 players being able to attend will apply to Step 7 clubs too.
The latest announcement probably ends hope of spectator being able to attend fixtures during pre-season and pours more cold water on the chances of the season starting in September. There is slight hope as the FA’s submitted plan for allowing crowds to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport remains on the table.
The FA have previously said the Step 1-6 leagues will only start with crowds allowed.
Russ Eagle, the Handsworth manager, yesterday hit out at the NCEL for seemingly standing back and letting their clubs sleepwalk into a season that appears very unworkable. He believes the NCEL and other leagues are not standing up for themselves.
Privately, a number of clubs are unhappy with a September start. The lack of clarity on changing rooms, crowds, travelling conditions, the amount of midweek fixtures are just four reasons.
Many feel a change of formant whilst in is a global pandemic is a sensible idea and that an October start is a better scenario as there is more time to prepare facilities.