3rd October

Will season ticket holders have to show ID to get in the ground next month to manage the track and trace system and If a season ticket holder tests positive would all fans have to legally self isolate or get a fine?

Would be interesting to hear from any supporters about this week’s trials. Can you cheer or boo the referee or will the high viz hit squads be waiting to escort you out the ground.

I went to a non-league match with 200 others.

We had to sign in with an app (EvePass) and I presume that if anyone tests positive or has symptoms I'll get and e-mail or phone call and will be asked to self isolate. The QR codes were posted up around the ground and all the stewards had a copy on a lanyard.

People were spread out reasonably well I would say. There was what I would say was normal chanting, applause and advice to the linesperson.

Lots of the seats were taped off but it was a nice day and the sun was out. It would be a different story if it had been pouring with rain and people were running for cover or huddling under a stand.

At the end of the game we just walked around the ground to the far end and went out of a designated exit gate. No big deal.

You honestly think fans will be going back in on October 3rd?

I hope you are right but with these cranks running this country about to address the nation again on Tuesday I would fear the worst.

No chance fans will be allowed in so stop dreaming

Quoted from louth_in_the_south

No chance fans will be allowed in so stop dreaming

If local rates of infection are put in the equation and safety plans passed why not? In reality we know that this centralist Govt. will role out another countrywide edict due to the nationwide 'R' rate. We will have to suffer for the sins of certain cohorts, in certain settings, in certain regions where it's 10 times higher.

Anecdotal evidence from the top of my ladder painting my Hillsborough residence says that the rate of ambulance sirens indicates a distinct uptick in Sheffield cases.

BBC saying phased return of fans to be scrapped and any pilots suspended

Quoted from Mariner16

BBC saying phased return of fans to be scrapped and any pilots suspended

I very rarely trust anything the BBC say but on this occasion they are probably on the money.

I really fear for football as we know it, unfortunately those at the top do not require the footfall of fans, SKY have all bases covered re the matchday experience for the armchair supporter no doubt working on artificial crowd scenes to be super imposed on the empty stadiums to go alongside the fake noises that make every game sound like 90min chant fest.

What will happen to the lower two divisions and those at the bottom of the pyramid like Clee town etc. I dread to think.

The wider concern has to surely be the continued guess work and plucking of ideas out of thin air by a proven incompetent government?

Whether the trials continue or not is anyone’s guess.

Many of us have said all along that people who were excited about the return of the top flight in May and excited about the current season, praising sky etc likely don’t realise the long term impact this will have. The top flight aren’t arsed about fans given huge numbers never step foot in a stadium.

The issue is lower down the pyramid, and next season will no doubt be interesting. From a fan engagement point of view most would probably agree we’re already Bored of watching it on shoddy iFollow. Aside from town being flipping bobbins, it’s just not right and it’s hard to get excited about watching the game on TV when we’d all normally be there.

what i dont understand is how France have allowed fans back despite higher cases and deaths than ourseves. The Germans have had fans back in larger numbers. Of course theres no way We are going back 3rd october and theres more important things than us returning to football matches. I just worry for our future and the future of many clubs

Quoted from Hagrid

what i dont understand is how France have allowed fans back despite higher cases and deaths than ourseves. The Germans have had fans back in larger numbers. Of course theres no way We are going back 3rd october and theres more important things than us returning to football matches. I just worry for our future and the future of many clubs

Because our government are so scared of getting it wrong again that they’re totally overreacting this time in order to save face. I’ve no doubt many thousands of people will lose their football clubs as a result of this.

I doubt we'll see any fans until next year possibly next season. It's a total disaster for the sport.

If we end up in another total lockdown it could spell the end of a lot of prem clubs . The huge financial repayments sky would have to make for tv rights could cripple them and leave a lot of clubs facing financial ruin as a result .

Gove has just confirmed the October start is off.

He cited how they got it wrong in April/May. How can a full stadium at Anfield against a Spanish side possibly be compared to 2,000 fans at BP?

I think it’s because it’s hard to justify letting 2000 people congregate in a stadium when it’s likely different households won’t be allowed to meet from today

This total farce of a season should be brought to an end now . The premier League don't need fans so they can carry on if they like . The EFL need to scrap the season immediately imo. No fans will be coming back they must of known before the season started that it was highly unlikely , unless the EFL are run by fools ?

Not sure the national league will ever start so there could be no relegation to worry about if nobody can be promoted.

This covid clause we have inserted into players contracts looks sensible now doesn't it

Quoted from pontoonlew

Because our government are so scared of getting it wrong again that they’re totally overreacting this time in order to save face. I’ve no doubt many thousands of people will lose their football clubs as a result of this.

It's not just saving face, the criticism against them is constant and not all of it is deserved. Labour are making a huge issue about not having enough testing capacity, but we're testing a lot more than anybody else in europe. Most of what they're doing is in line with that other countries around the world and the WHO are recommending. That's not to say things couldn't be done better, but it's not like there's a formula to follow for this sort of thing and everybody is learning as we go.

https://mobile.twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1308305177204502528


Good job we all got a half-price Nando’s though eh? Money well spent that...

Quoted from pontoonlew

Because our government are so scared of getting it wrong again that they’re totally overreacting this time in order to save face. I’ve no doubt many thousands of people will lose their football clubs as a result of this.

Well they did underreact the first time round and locked down too little, too late, so I suppose they are trying a new tack now.

Let's see, How can we stop the spread of the virus, while at the same time keeping the cash flowing for our business buddies? I know, let's stop the oiks going to footy and shut the pubs at 10 o'clock. That ought to do it.

They are still p1ssing in the wind, with no idea which way to turn. Meanwhile, proper governments like the one in Germany, did the right things early and came out pretty unscathed.

Quoted from pen penfras

It's not just saving face, the criticism against them is constant and not all of it is deserved. Labour are making a huge issue about not having enough testing capacity, but we're testing a lot more than anybody else in europe. Most of what they're doing is in line with that other countries around the world and the WHO are recommending. That's not to say things couldn't be done better, but it's not like there's a formula to follow for this sort of thing and everybody is learning as we go.

As it happens, despite the fact I despise this Tory government, I completely agree with you.

Quoted from ginnywings

Well they did underreact the first time round and locked down too little, too late, so I suppose they are trying a new tack now.

Let's see, How can we stop the spread of the virus, while at the same time keeping the cash flowing for our business buddies? I know, let's stop the oiks going to footy and shut the pubs at 10 o'clock. That ought to do it.

They are still p1ssing in the wind, with no idea which way to turn. Meanwhile, proper governments like the one in Germany, did the right things early and came out pretty unscathed.

That is really stretching the truth a bit. Although currently Germany has approx 20% cumulative cases fewer than us, they are definitely not the shining beacon of covid management that you paint.  France was often quoted as better than the UK but their infection rate is soaring at a frightening rate and has zoomed passed the UK totals.
I think it would be fairer to say nobody really knows how to handle this pandemic and the constant critism by the media isnt helping.

Back to the football....

I'm half expecting Leagues One and Two to be mothballed for the foreseeable future.  By hook or crook the Premier League will survive because of TV monies (although that won't be without significant alterations, as per It Bites' post).  Championship clubs may just survive because of their larger fan base and ability to attract greater streaming audiences/revenues from merchandise etc.

But clubs at our level, not a chance.  The statement from the Colchester chairman proves just what the clubs are up against.  

No-one wants to see it, but how on earth can clubs function like this for a sustained period?

Quoted from diehardmariner

Back to the football....

I'm half expecting Leagues One and Two to be mothballed for the foreseeable future.  By hook or crook the Premier League will survive because of TV monies (although that won't be without significant alterations, as per It Bites' post).  Championship clubs may just survive because of their larger fan base and ability to attract greater streaming audiences/revenues from merchandise etc.

But clubs at our level, not a chance.  The statement from the Colchester chairman proves just what the clubs are up against.  

No-one wants to see it, but how on earth can clubs function like this for a sustained period?

With a logical solution that allows crowds outside. It’s not different to pubs, in fact it’s miles better. It’s just a lazy blanket ban with no foresight whatsoever.

There are solutions, they’re just too lazy and too scared of the reaction to do it.

Yeah, I wasn't wanting to get into the political debate of what should and shouldn't be opened/closed.

Personally I think it's a contradiction across the board.  I don't understand why the thinking is that the virus will only come out in pubs after 10pm.  I don't understand why anyone thinks a packed Brewers Fayre on a Tuesday in August is less contagious than a 30% populated and spaced out open air football ground.  

But the reality is that it's happening.  That was my point.  In the reality that we're not going to have fans at our level for the immediate (and likely foreseeable) future, I can't imagine how clubs are going to survive.

Only 1 person the people and more importantly the government should be listening to..carl heneghan...he has already forced the government twice to correctly change policy..I urge all of you to watch/listen to what this guy has to say.

Quoted from Hagrid

what i dont understand is how France have allowed fans back despite higher cases and deaths than ourseves. The Germans have had fans back in larger numbers. Of course theres no way We are going back 3rd october and theres more important things than us returning to football matches. I just worry for our future and the future of many clubs

Explanation was provided, as I said on another thread, by the fact that current death rates from Covid are now at 0.4% as opposed to 18% earlier in the year. Thus some countries, France being one, have decided risk is now lower than many other ailments so let normality resume.

People will continue to ignore advice in the UK because it’s so contradictory e.g. my lad goes to school in a class of 30, goes football training with 14 others and plays football against another 14. However, after school or after their match no more than 6 of them can play together in the park. This is mirrored in local football which is now up and running and hopefully continues as Cleethorpes Town are due to play Lincoln United a week today so planning to go down and watch for a fix of live football.

Quoted from pen penfras

It's not just saving face, the criticism against them is constant and not all of it is deserved. Labour are making a huge issue about not having enough testing capacity, but we're testing a lot more than anybody else in europe. Most of what they're doing is in line with that other countries around the world and the WHO are recommending. That's not to say things couldn't be done better, but it's not like there's a formula to follow for this sort of thing and everybody is learning as we go.

This virus did not come with a book of instructions on how to proceed, Labour are playing politics, sniping on the sidelines with the safety of opposition, can you imagine what it would be like under those chancers

Quoted from Garth

This virus did not come with a book of instructions on how to proceed, Labour are playing politics, sniping on the sidelines with the safety of opposition, can you imagine what it would be like under those chancers

i mean i cant imagine they'd have made as much of a mess as the shower of shite we have at the moment, but leaving politics out of it, the BBC sport guy, Dan Roan, has tweeted that this isnt a short term measure and they are asking clubs what the chances of survival are if football continues behind closed doors for the foreseeable

Quoted from Hagrid

i mean i cant imagine they'd have made as much of a mess as the shower of shite we have at the moment, but leaving politics out of it, the BBC sport guy, Dan Roan, has tweeted that this isnt a short term measure and they are asking clubs what the chances of survival are if football continues behind closed doors for the foreseeable

Phillip Day may come to regret saying we could go a whole year behind closed doors and be fine...

Chequebook time Mr Benign Loans

Looks like the 3rd is off  for fans as is the   pilot 1000 crowd games

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/54.....sIANApxMEoYUAeRMcYts

I'm flipping fuming.
79000 people a day take public transport in London, shut down the tube system.
Football should be okay because they don't kick off after 10 o'clock, between the hours of 0900 @ 2200 there is no C19 ot only comes out at 10.
You can take a flight with 300 strangers farting and coughing but you can't go to an outdoor area.
Every fan who would have gone to the games should turn up anyway.
flipping nanny state male masturbators

Quoted from Hagrid

i mean i cant imagine they'd have made as much of a mess as the shower of shite we have at the moment, but leaving politics out of it, the BBC sport guy, Dan Roan, has tweeted that this isnt a short term measure and they are asking clubs what the chances of survival are if football continues behind closed doors for the foreseeable

Well they made a complete shower of shite out of the last election and Kier (I'm not going to answer that question) Starmer was a leading member of it as it was his crackpot Brexit policy that copulated them up.

Call me thick if you like, but how am I safer in the pub with people from other households than sitting in a football stadium sat in my own household bubble?

Surely we should be given responsibility to assess our own risk? The collateral damage that Johnson is causing is frankly mind blowing.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Call me thick if you like, but how am I safer in the pub with people from other households than sitting in a football stadium sat in my own household bubble?

Surely we should be given responsibility to assess our own risk? The collateral damage that Johnson is causing is frankly mind blowing.

i agree 100% with you

[img]https://stephenshapiro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/sitonfence2.jpg[/img]

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Call me thick if you like, but how am I safer in the pub with people from other households than sitting in a football stadium sat in my own household bubble?

Surely we should be given responsibility to assess our own risk? The collateral damage that Johnson is causing is frankly mind blowing.

As I am a contractor paid for the time I’m in work I’ve had to re-assess what I can do in my spare time to avoid periods without pay. As a result: I’ve not been for a pint or a meal out since March, the only socialising I have done is with a mate on the golf course or in parks for walks with my family and I’ve completely cut off meeting extended family since lockdown. Of course none of this matters as I’ve found out today as some dipshit at work decided to have a party at his at the weekend and one of the attendees has tested positive.

For now it looks as if I’m in the clear as I didn’t work with him yesterday but it just shows that making your own calculated risks doesn’t count for nothing because the selfish sharp objects that we have to share a country with don’t care about consequences.

the government are admitting that sport has done a good job to make it as safe as possible..the government's worry is how people get to the ground..doesn't seem to stop thousands going to work on the tube does it.

edit .. in fairness I have just read that they want people to work from home if possible.

Quoted from LH

As I am a contractor paid for the time I’m in work I’ve had to re-assess what I can do in my spare time to avoid periods without pay. As a result: I’ve not been for a pint or a meal out since March, the only socialising I have done is with a mate on the golf course or in parks for walks with my family and I’ve completely cut off meeting extended family since lockdown. Of course none of this matters as I’ve found out today as some dipshit at work decided to have a party at his at the weekend and one of the attendees has tested positive.

For now it looks as if I’m in the clear as I didn’t work with him yesterday but it just shows that making your own calculated risks doesn’t count for nothing because the selfish sharp objects that we have to share a country with don’t care about consequences.

We make calculated risks as a family by having days out etc but we keep our distance from people. I've been to football matches and again, I keep my distance from people.

I haven't seen my family all year because I'm taking calculated risks to keep my family sane.

Like you say though, these risks don't stop you coming across absolute morons.

Random rules. 15 people at a wedding and 30 at a funeral. 6 in your garden or in a park, 300 at a Step 3+ football match, zero for "elite" football. However many a plane/pub/supermarket holds. With numerous exceptions. I went on an organised walk the other day. Used to be limited to groups of 6, but now each person is allowed 5 "guests" so you can have groups of 30. Every single rule is blatantly ignored if possible by some and nobody is ever punished. And yet the government claim to be following "the science". Make more sense looking at tea leaves.

I was watching the FA Cup Qualifying match on the BBC Red Button last night.

There was a crowd there and during the game most people were respecting the social distancing and were well spaced out, that was until the game went to penalties when about 200 or so people all rushed behind the goal, despite the bloke on the tannoy trying to remind people.

I think this will be the final nail for some clubs, I fully expect 1 or 2 clubs to go out of business before Xmas.

Begs the question of whether the season should ever have restarted without fans.

Quoted from AndyGTFC

Begs the question of whether the season should ever have restarted without fans..

i tend to think the same.

At a FA Cup game tonight . Tables of six and a one way system in the bar. Covered teraceing . Looks about 300+ here.
Not seen a mask, and social distancing not evident.

Quoted from AndyGTFC

Begs the question of whether the season should ever have restarted without fans..

The National League decided not to

Funny thing is us being such a cheapskate tight @rsed club could actually work in our favour this season with other clubs overspending, how ironic is that.

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

At a FA Cup game tonight . Tables of six and a one way system in the bar. Covered teraceing . Looks about 300+ here.
Not seen a mask, and social distancing not evident.

And a pint on the terracing.  

National league were due to start on 3rd October, has that been officially renounced?

They've been working towards that date for about 6 weeks, so even if they don't start the season, they've probably already spent a lot of money on pre season and covid preparation.

A bitter pill to swallow. This may go down (for me anyway) as one of the worst seasons in football history

Just read that my local non league club Warrington Town are allowed crowds in. They only usually get a couple of hundred but I still thought it'd be a no go after recent restrictions put in. Apparently the government have confirmed that fans can continue to attend at step three and below, Warrington are currently at step three, Evo Stik Premier.

I went and watched Knaresborough beat Bridlington 2-1 last night and it was great. Plenty of needle, dodgy pen for the winner, red card for dissent and at the end a Bridlington fan in the crowd of 123 waited in the corner for the ref and then screamed at him 'You are a flipping disgrace to your profession. You need to take a long, hard look in the mirror'. 6 quid to get in and you can drink in view of the pitch. Lovely stuff.

I went to Bury Town last night.

They were allowed 400 in the ground, ticket admission in advance and sold all 400. Lovely evening in a very nice ground. Plenty of people walking around with pints of Greene King. Some people wore masks.

Quoted from Welwynmariner

I went to Bury Town last night.

They were allowed 400 in the ground, ticket admission in advance and sold all 400. Lovely evening in a very nice ground. Plenty of people walking around with pints of Greene King. Some people wore masks.

Best thing about Step 3 and below is that you can watch the game with a pint!

Aylesbury United went out to Moneyfields last night, a grand total of 18 penalties !
2-2 after 9 mins including 4 penalties, end to end stuff and a game we will talk about for years.entry was £9, with pints of Rebellion to go pitchside with

Like I said on another thread I will be going down to Lincoln United next Tuesday to watch them play Cleethorpes Town and will probably start going to all their home games whilst we are banned from seeing town.

Still can’t get over the absurdity of being able to attend these games but cannot go to watch professional clubs who have put in place detailed arrangements, e.g. me and the lad went on ground tour at Tottenham but they can’t have you in the ground to watch a match!!!