Step 3 to 7 clubs are eagerly awaiting the new FA guidance which will pave the way for matches to be played in front of spectators.
The Government and FA are set to unveil it on Wednesday, ending three weeks of anger and uncertainty.
The Government’s dramatic “clarification” on the rules on Tuesday evening moved the goalposts significantly and was a coup-de-grace on an almost farcical 24 hours where no-one knew if they were coming or going.
Following a fairly nondescript conference call with the FA on Monday night, the NCEL for instance had surveyed their clubs to check they agreed with their stance that league cannot be played behind closed doors.
90% agreed and the NCEL’s provisional start date was shifted to 19th September. The Government then pulled out their trump card.
The key part of the news is that clubs should be able to play friendlies with spectators present, allowing them to bring in much-needed revenue before the season begins.
Whilst there is strong reason to jump for joy for many, the issues of changing rooms, car sharing, excessive midweek travelling and the feasibility of finishing a 38-league season with the potential dangers of lockdowns, teams self-isolating and bad weather remain.