The Chairman of the National League, Brian Barwick, has today written to The Rt Hon Oliver
Dowden CBE MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to ask the
Government to carefully consider how its pending decision on the return of fans to football
grounds will affect its clubs, their employees, and local communities.
The National League has also asked the Government for permission to commence the new
season on 3 October with fans in attendance with social distancing and other Covid secure
measures in place.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the National League has closely adhered to Government
policy and fully recognises the overwhelming necessity to protect people’s health and wellbeing. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 17 July that Government intended
to bring back audiences in stadia from October each club has started to prepare for the 2020-
21 season.
The National League has set the start date as 3 October, which is when 24 clubs
would be due to play their first league match and a further 43 clubs are involved FA Cup ties.
In readiness for the safe return of spectators, National League clubs have calculated their
ground’s new socially-distanced capacity. Whilst crowds could be accommodated up to a
level of 20-30% of each stadium’s normal capacity in accordance with the Sports Grounds
Safety Authority guidance, the National League has asked the Government to allow up to
1,000 spectators in all grounds from October as a temporary solution that is validated by the
Government’s approved pilot events conducted in September.
Brian Barwick commented, “The National League restart depends upon crowds being allowed
back in stadiums as live attendance is our clubs’ largest source of income. The Government
urgently needs to set out a credible pathway for the safe return of supporters, and to ensure
our football clubs can continue to function, and to perform their significant role in the sporting
life of the country. We are proud to be a national competition with strong local connections.”
