Fans allowed back at some non-league clubs at reduced capacity

Some non-league football clubs have received a welcome boost that they will be able to welcome back fans at a reduced capacity from as early as this weekend.

Clubs have not been able to open their gates to spectators in any capacity since March amid the coronavirus pandemic, with any matches played since then having to be played behind closed doors. 

But from Saturday (22 August), fans of clubs between steps three and six of the football pyramid and tiers three to four of the women's game are permitted to attend matches, with social distancing in place. However, the number of fans allowed in stadiums must not exceed 15 per cent of the minimum ground capacity. 

Stage two of the return of fans to non-league grounds comes into effect from 31 August, with clubs able to operate at 30 per cent capacity.

But all clubs are required to have a designated Covid-19 officer, complete and publish risk assessments and action plans, as well as arranging support for NHS Test and Trace to collect information from spectators before fans can be allowed back through the turnstiles. 

This will apply to Ashton United, Hyde United, Stalybridge Celtic, Mossley, Glossop North End, New Mills AFC, Avro FC and Chadderton FC in our area. 

But Curzon Ashton, who play in the National League North, will have to wait a little longer to find out when fans can return to the Tameside Stadium.

It comes as the FA finally issued more detailed guidance on Wednesday afternoon. 

The body said in a statement: "We have worked continuously alongside the Department for Digital Culture, Media & Sport, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, and leagues to submit detailed proposals for a phased and limited return of spectators at these levels to the UK Government.  

"The DCMS has now clarified its guidance on the return to recreational team sport and clubs at steps three to six of the NLS and tiers three to four of the WFP are permitted to accommodate a phased and limited return of spectators to fixtures. However, they must follow the the UK Government’s guidance in relation to COVID-19 and The FA’s updated guidelines for the NLS or WFP respectively.

"The phased and limited return of spectators at these levels will be kept under constant review in line with the UK Government’s guidelines and will be amended accordingly as required."

The welcome news follows a campaign with the social media hashtag #LetFansIn, which was backed by more than 30 MPs who wrote to sports minister Nigel Huddleston calling for the "urgent return of fans to non-league clubs". A petition supporting the cause also gained more than 10,000 signatures. 

The FA guidance in full can be found here.