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Post by wwrebel on Jul 18, 2020 17:48:49 GMT
I was assuming these test events were to ascertain the safety and risks etc that will eventually lead to supporters being able to attend elite sports from October 1st. Surely different rules must apply to football at our level and below otherwise the start date of Sept 19th seems a bit pointless as the non league system has stated that no games will be behind closed doors. It would make sense if clubs were allowed to stage some pre season games as test events to see how things go regarding entry/exit to the ground, social distancing of spectators etc.
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Post by virgs1 on Jul 31, 2020 11:38:18 GMT
Still no closer to finding out it seems!
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Post by Keithsson on Jul 31, 2020 11:38:37 GMT
The PM's address from COBRA has just dealt a significant blow to football crowds coming back. Significantly amongst the things that were going to happen from August 1st but now aren't are the test events at sports venues. These were needed to test the science on CV19 risk amongst crowds. Without the data from these test events we won't get the scientific evidence needed to get the green light. We have to be science led and I support that. The mood music lately around the country, the continent and the world has definately been downwards. We all see folk taking the p*ss regards the guidelines every day and I guess every little infraction adds up so this is the inevitable consequence... cheers you biffs But the upshot for us is crowds at sporting events just got kicked a wee bit further into the long grass. The league has a big decision now regarding timescales for starting the season. I'm not sure there are many clubs that could play indefinitely behind closed doors. If crowds aren't coming back any time soon maybe the leagues need to think about not starting as currently planned. They risk exposing financially strapped clubs to a path of fixture commitments without income. A path with no definitive end date when crowds can return and income can pay for the wages, insurance, travel costs and general running costs required for playing football matches.
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Post by wwrebel on Jul 31, 2020 13:55:48 GMT
October 1st is still being mentioned as a possibility for the crowds to return although today's announcement has obviously scuppered the pilot events. Assume these will now be pushed back at least a fortnight. I can't see how starting the season from League 1 downwards without fans would be feasible, clubs will quickly find themselves in financial meltdown and many will struggle to survive. Even with limited crowds, I've read today that capacities could be between 20% to 40%, will leave many clubs struggling with the decrease in income. Looking at our division with the limited crowds proposed, clubs with larger fanbases such as ourselves, Bognor, Horsham, Lewes, Folkestone etc will lose out far more than sides with smaller fanbases that even with attendance restrictions may still see their crowds at a relatively normal level. Cray, for example, seem to function quite well with smaller attendances and with their home ground at Bromley there will be plenty of room for their average attendance even with any social distancing requirements. Very worrying times for many, many clubs at the moment. Be interesting to see if and when the season commences whether any clubs will take a gamble on spending more money than normal on their squad with the hope of gaining an advantage on sides who will be inevitably cutting back on their budget.
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Post by cityboy on Jul 31, 2020 15:31:53 GMT
The PM's address from COBRA has just dealt a significant blow to football crowds coming back. Significantly amongst the things that were going to happen from August 1st but now aren't are the test events at sports venues. These were needed to test the science on CV19 risk amongst crowds. Without the data from these test events we won't get the scientific evidence needed to get the green light. We have to be science led and I support that. The mood music lately around the country, the continent and the world has definately been downwards. We all see folk taking the p*ss regards the guidelines every day and I guess every little infraction adds up so this is the inevitable consequence... cheers you biffs But the upshot for us is crowds at sporting events just got kicked a wee bit further into the long grass. The league has a big decision now regarding timescales for starting the season. I'm not sure there are many clubs that could play indefinitely behind closed doors. If crowds aren't coming back any time soon maybe the leagues need to think about not starting as currently planned. They risk exposing financially strapped clubs to a path of fixture commitments without income. A path with no definitive end date when crowds can return and income can pay for the wages, insurance, travel costs and general running costs required for playing football matches. Bet Jack Pearce was behind it🤣🤣🤣 Just to give Bognor a bit more time to finish off the ground😉😉😉 I mean he gets the blame for everything else🤔🤔🤔
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Post by peterv on Jul 31, 2020 16:05:14 GMT
Of Course he is. I heard he is on a scouting mission up North shaking hands and kissing people.
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Post by Kenty in Weardale on Jul 31, 2020 21:44:52 GMT
Whatever start date is finally agreed I am sure that the many different leagues will of course have made identical provision for a further lockdown.
Who am I kidding, it will be a total shambles as before
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Post by Keithsson on Aug 2, 2020 15:21:16 GMT
I'm not sure an outside 'ticketing and merchandise platform' is something we need here at Woodside Road but the Isthmian league has announced a new tie up with one for 2020/21. Isthmian site - LinkWhat's that got to do with the new season I hear no-one ask? Well I've put it on this thread because of this bit... "It is hoped that this will work in unison with The FA’s Return to Football guidance..." Now, call me Mr Cynical but what does an online ticketing platform have to do with restarting the season?... all ticket games With rumoured reduced capacities to start with they won't want queues forming outside for a limited capacity game, worse still the inevitable aggravation of p*ssing off customers by having to turn them away when X% capacity has been reached. It really would spoil the organic and spontaneous act of rocking up to your local non league club to have to register online in advance for a ticket. I do hope I'm putting 2+2 together and making 5, but that would put a lot of people off. These would be people the club has worked hard to attract back in the last few years. Even if limited capacity was just for the short term, these people may not bother again.
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Post by wwrebel on Aug 2, 2020 16:04:52 GMT
I have read the article and can only assume this new partnership will be used to get fans back in the ground via all ticket matches. Depending on how many season tickets clubs sell and how limited capacities will be for some clubs there could be very minimal tickets available on a match by match basis. If fans find it difficult to obtain tickets their interest in the club will wane and they may find other ways to fill their spare time. Will also be interesting if tickets via this provider prevent people who are not local being able to buy tickets thus eliminating the option for away fans to attend. The momentum we had is going to take massive hit from the virus which is a real shame. People will have got out of the habit of watching football from the terraces and any restrictions to the match going experience will also deter people from attending. I can't see the youngsters being allowed to have a kick about on the pitch after the final whistle for example. With some of the news I've read today about activities having to be sacrificed to allow schools to return I am not overly optimistic that the league programme will be up and running anytime soon. I think with restrictions on travel that are being suggested the best we can hope for is smaller, localised mini leagues until this virus is either eliminated via a vaccine or infection levels drop to much smaller rates.
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Post by Keithsson on Aug 2, 2020 16:47:48 GMT
Funny you mention 'momentum' mate, that word has been popping into my head quite a bit lately. The clubs momentum has been steadily upward in the last three seasons (general interest, results, league position, gates, finding great players and developing them, merchandise visible about town, Rebel Yell's fanzine/radio/podcast etc.). It was all going soooo well. Even without a painfully restricted return to football I do worry how much of that momentum has ALREADY been lost with the extended hiatus and our promotion having been denied. The crowdfunder showed there is still massive goodwill out there this summer but if the phased return proves too restrictive on top of the null & void and months without football it could set our progress back a good year or two
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Post by Kenty in Weardale on Aug 2, 2020 22:10:23 GMT
I think your both right, Keith and ww, and that's why I asked, but probably in a too light hearted way, if the League rules had been revised or amended or alternatively just left as they were. It is clear though that there is a strong possibility that a tighter lockdown and possible very short localised lockdowns will be happening until an effective vaccine is distributed. To allow attended football or indeed sport when other events cannot have the public or wider family groups attending, just wouldn't be accepted by public or political opinion, nor should it be. We really must hope that the FAs, at local league and national level get a set of fair regulations in place, with limited consultation due to time constraints, so that non league football can react quickly to any change in circumstances so as to ensure the safety of the public, players etc as well as the integrity of the competition. This would also allow clubs to plan; to look at contingencies for different scenarios, set up good communications with the fans Will this happen? Well I spend far too many hours trawling round various club, league, unofficial fans, blogs sites and have not seen any whisper of a plan. In fact all I have seen is occasional leaked minutes, proud boasts via twatter of league start dates or even friendly dates (bloody great of you, tell me about a live game which you know I'm not allowed to see), new signings/sponsorship. Sensible, concrete plans? No chance. Sorry to go off on one a bit but as you may have noticed that this does get on my t*ts a bit . There is an old saying by someone, forget who, "Fools learn from their own mistakes, genuises learn from other peoples". It doesn't explain what you are if you don't learn at all, League Committee maybe. Stay safe all Kenty
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Post by wwrebel on Aug 3, 2020 14:25:22 GMT
Informative statement!!!
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Post by Keithsson on Aug 4, 2020 8:25:58 GMT
FA cup and FA trophy dates and prize money... Isthmian site - Link
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Post by wwrebel on Aug 4, 2020 9:35:46 GMT
League games will begin when supporters are allowed back but FA games will go ahead behind closed doors is what I've read. Depending on who you draw by the time clubs have paid travel costs, officials, players etc it may end up costing sides money to stage these games in empty grounds!
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Post by virgs1 on Aug 4, 2020 11:39:57 GMT
League games will begin when supporters are allowed back but FA games will go ahead behind closed doors is what I've read. Depending on who you draw by the time clubs have paid travel costs, officials, players etc it may end up costing sides money to stage these games in empty grounds! Just doesn't seem viable really does it, of course it's worth it for the prize money - But minimal with a loss and as you say will end up costing sides money! No Replays Either..
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