Step 5 & 6 leagues are set to be part of a conference call with the FA on Monday night.
The meeting is to “update all Leagues on the current position on a variety of topics, especially with upcoming proposed start dates from early September”.
It is hugely important for Toolstation Northern Counties East League clubs as the provisional 5th September start is only three weeks away.
The North West Counties have already altered course for October – still provisionally – without waiting for FA guidance. That has taken a lot of pressure away from their clubs.
With spectators still not allowed, unless there was a sudden change in the Government rules, it remains unlikely the FA will sanction a 5th September start.
The FA have said all along that the Non League season will not start without spectators – something that would be financially stupid given player contracts/wages, match official wages, pitch costs and all other associated costs such as gas and electric.
Although a September start remains popular with many, on the other side of the coin several managers have already opened voiced their concerns.
Many think the idea of 38-league game campaign between September and the end of April is a bad one – citing local lockdowns, teams having to self-isolate and expected bad weather as just three reasons.
The advice on changing facilities and travelling also remains unclear.
The danger of a stop-start campaign has already been demonstrated by Charnock Richard and Staveley Miners Welfare having to cease football activity for the time being after a player at each club tested positive for Covid-19.
Localised leagues with ten clubs each with limited travelling has been suggested and the FA have already said that could happen if the start of the new season is delayed until November.