Andy groundhopper

Still think the only way to restart IS with fans, albeit with restrictions say max 300 crowds distanced of course. Lockdown=loss of jobs=less £ into gov coffers =crumbling economy , but at least the cases may be reduced, which is all they're after. Totally screwed up guidelines, contradictory , a rudderless ship with Captain Boris and Bosun Sturgeon at the wheel

Surely the 2m distance and 15 minutes ruling (grassroots guidelines I think) allows fans to attend lower level games with crowd limits in place, distanced naturally. Or was this just for players safety ? My apologies for memory loss

Went to Lebeq v Oldland on Saturday, the host club built around the black community and pub in Bristol, with a fantastic history. Attendance only 50+ but no names written down, or hand sanitizer on entry, reliant on people's phones to scan the barcode thing ! Just a few masks in sight, think people believe it's carry on as normal. Not sure if the restrictions in the NE and NW are based on football evidence.

Also the Premier League has given £ to the Welsh and National leagues, plus the women's game. Don't honestly see anything filtering downwards to Scottish non league clubs tbh, think it's the responsibility of the FA's considering how much the clubs have given over the years.

Haven't seen or heard any evidence that non lge in the North West is a big spreader, parts of the UK have had cases surge for many reasons. Can't see a restart in Scotland for non league even though fixtures are planned, IF all non lge players were tested weekly, would the game restart ? Very much doubt it. Another lockdown for Oct/Nov then see the gov panic in time for Christmas chaos.

Up to this season the clubs at step 7 county lge had to produce a programme, being part of the national pyramid, however covid19 has seen a relaxation of the rules - many now doing online issues only. Sensible when you don't sell all that you print, leaving piles of progs unsold. Quite content if a teamsheet appears, but I'm not fussy.

I think every club will try to improve its facilities, within their means. At least clubs can stay at a level without getting licensed ( am I right ? ) Far different down south where fairly strict guidelines start from County League , step 7 upwards. My opinion is that many of the requirements are overly petty for clubs that will never need them. One of the main stumbling blocks in England is the issue of floodlights, so many people against them (nimby's) Good to see so many clubs working really hard in Scotland, they deserve some help from the authorities.

The season starts, players have to be paid along with officials etc,so really can't see any point having anymore than 2 or 3 home games without fans - that's just to make sure all the players etc are catered for. Clubs would have played enough friendlies by then to know if things are working, and I feel they believe that it's safe for fans now. What comes first, vaccine or almost zero cases/deaths ?

I asked that on the HL forum, say the LL champions win the title easily, while the HL doesn't finish, how would that affect play offs ? Also the SOS restart, are fans part of the decision ? Any news on whether the West and EOS are definitely going to have a go starting ?

Guessing that the winter call offs are added to the picture, looks like the HL may start next year with just the one set of fixtures ? If the HL somehow doesn't finish the season, how does that affect the play-off games ? Just wondering, depends what/if any leagues get completed.

Wish I'd kept my Subbuteo things , be worth a fortune ! even the players with broken legs still played, hard men in those days . Imagine that stand with the crowd surging forward

Know that all clubs did risk assessments prior to starting, but letting in all the 11 players at once,how stupid. Think clubs in England are just getting on with playing -gambling that there won't be a surge in cases to stop football again. The majority of fans I've seen pictured, arent wearing masks or distancing. Be easier if it was mandatory to wear one.

Apart from the initial cost outlay, the 3g pitches makes complete sense for the biggest reason - the SPFL allow them ! unlike the FA clowns down south. Considering how close the Scottish non league pyramid is to the SPFL it makes sense for the HL clubs to invest and to have extra income streams. Would expect the SFA to get their wallets out and help clubs to progress.

IF the fans don't get allowed back into the grounds until next season, or the current one is curtailed again, just wonder how many clubs in the UK are under threat ? Would the players wait for a return ? I'm hopeful of a return with fans, but am worried long term. Wonder how many players need that weekly pay from the game just to survive ?

Re changing rooms, the FA have said that it's 6 in one go, then next 6 etc. Looking at non league photos it seems as though masks are not required and there's very limited distancing. Just go to the game, wear a mask and stand 2m apart, if wearing masks was mandatory then loads of people wouldn't bother - claiming freedom or some other crap. Always hoped fans could be sensible, having my doubts now. Some really good fans in England and Scotland,a shame for them.

Supposed to be a 2 seat gap between people I think, just gotta be sensible when you go there. Been to games where fans behave 'normally'

Correct regarding the-p games as well, the question next would be Can we finish the season ? which would reignite last season's farcical endings. Suppose football joins the list of gamble situations we now face in our lives, and at which point we say stop. A shame that all levels of the game are being treated equally, obviously not the way forward.

Read somewhere that in grassroots football it was that you had to be in close contact 2m for 15 minutes before the isolation came into play ? English FA state that car sharers must wear masks, look away from each other and have the windows open. Bet the police were checking this

Not being fully up to date with rules, if the season starts - what happens to clubs in abeyance, do they return at the same level, or have to restart in division below ? With the insurance stuff, I can't see why clubs could get hit - if it was the stadium or clubhouse then I can understand that bit.

Meant to say that nothing was done about the black lives protest marches across the world, mass gatherings with very few masks or distancing, or the many raves/parties that the police allowed to continue. Couple of games down here in Bristol p-p yesterday due to covid19 positives, not sure how the isolation works from that point.

Before the various groups lose the plot, just announce the season starts on October 24 with a restricted number of fans allowed, say 300 limit, with tickets having to be pre-booked. After October/November it's getting to the point where you ask 'could a season be played starting in January ?'

Maybe Stranraer didn't have enough players or couldn't afford another minibus or means of transport,or the kit was still drying out, we'll never be told the reason unless the club announces something. Good to see plenty of friendlies being played- hope they're not pointless. Get the non league en masse to push the government, and yeah I know there will be isolated cases among clubs. 500 fans spread out OR 5,000 on a protest march ?

Won't see a great deal from the bottom seats, where is this ?

Just back from today's game Roman Glass 1 Cadbury Heath 0 att 100+ in the Western League. Sanitizer, the track & trace, one way system etc. Most people spaced apart, odd groups of 6-7-8. Luckily it's a 3g pitch, but changing rooms were used and it again felt ok being there. Another game kicked off later, players getting changed on the touchline. Think the biggest problem is when a club gets a positive, then has to miss/ p-p a few games.

Definitely looks like saving the so-called Elite clubs will be high on the agenda for financial support, not against that apart from the ridiculous wages pro clubs fork out, no point pleading poverty. The non league game and restart,in my opinion, can be ruined by one thing : fans seen not sticking to the protocol, masks, distancing etc, behaving normally. Am still hopeful.