Dulwich Hamlet and Coronavirus
- Thread starter TonyWalt
- Start date
Tables on a points per game basis, Wealdstone promoted. (Subject to ratification.)
Barrow promoted back to English Football League after National League vote
Barrow are promoted to the English Football League after National League clubs vote to end the 2019-20 season.
www.bbc.co.uk
The FA seemed to have ruled that the steps where admission charging is the norm must start together and that spectators must be present. The format of the season will depend on when it starts.
The linked notes from a meeting for Step 5 and 6 clubs is worth a read if interested in the current thinking.
The linked notes from a meeting for Step 5 and 6 clubs is worth a read if interested in the current thinking.
Terras fans, we need you!
TERRAS FANS WE NEED YOU!! The last few weeks have been full of ups and downs with regards to the play-off situation. Finally, now we have the decision that we will be able to take part, albeit not …
uptheterras.co.uk
Weymouth are asking for donations as their playoff campaign is expected to cost them ~£50k
Pink Panther
Well-Known Member
This is much the same as our own campaign two years ago to keep the promotion push going when we were locked out of Champion Hill, but £50k is a big gamble just to have a shot at winning two play off matches. I still think it's daft to have play offs when the regular season was abandoned.Terras fans, we need you!
TERRAS FANS WE NEED YOU!! The last few weeks have been full of ups and downs with regards to the play-off situation. Finally, now we have the decision that we will be able to take part, albeit not …
Weymouth are asking for donations as their playoff campaign is expected to cost them ~£50k
editor
hiraethified
Third full grounds and no away fans?
fanbanter.co.uk
The number of fans who could be let into National League stadiums next season - Fan Banter
The number of fans who could be let into National League stadiums next season has been seemingly revealed by the AFC Fylde owner. After finally getting a date on when the playoffs can get underway, chiefs at others clubs are desperate to find out when the new season can kick off. However, for it...
fanbanter.co.uk
Pink Panther
Well-Known Member
Third full grounds and no away fans?
The number of fans who could be let into National League stadiums next season - Fan Banter
The number of fans who could be let into National League stadiums next season has been seemingly revealed by the AFC Fylde owner. After finally getting a date on when the playoffs can get underway, chiefs at others clubs are desperate to find out when the new season can kick off. However, for it...
This is pure speculation. It's one club owner pulling numbers out of the air because his club only fills one third of its capacity anyway, therefore it suits him.
I don't see how you can ban away supporters unless matches are all-ticket with sales restricted to personal callers at the home ground.
blueheaven
Well-Known Member
I think in our case matches will have to become all-ticket, although presumably sold online rather than sold physically at the ground. There's no way we can go back to having long queues of people waiting outside the ground to pay at the gate 10 minutes before kick-off. Although with a restricted capacity the problem probably solves itself, as there might only be enough space for season ticket holders anyway.
Pink Panther
Well-Known Member
Hamlet season ticket holders were sent an email a couple of weeks back that stated the following:
"We have missed your company at Champion Hill and as this week should have seen the start of pre-season it is clear the shutdown will impact not one but two seasons. Sadly we have no information on next season other than confirmation that it will not be before September and even that remains a best case scenario. Contrary to some of the online debates there has been no formal discussion yet on games being played in front of reduced capacities or waiting until it is safe for full re-opening.
We wanted to update you all as you may have seen other clubs already selling season tickets to help fund them through the shutdown but we were not comfortable going down that route in case reduced capacities are considered as our season ticket numbers exceed some of the rumoured numbers that may be allowed."
Obviously discussions, formal or otherwise, may have taken place since then but it remains little more than speculation until there's a proper announcement from a reliable source.
Aldershot have today confirmed they are currently in discussions with various bodies, including the football authorities.
They have modelled 12 scenarios to date, most permit them to fit in last season's average gate in but not all. (From memory they had smaller crowds and a highest capacity/footprint.)
The statement makes it clear there is not yet a signed off % crowd capacity reduction or an agreed restart date.
They have modelled 12 scenarios to date, most permit them to fit in last season's average gate in but not all. (From memory they had smaller crowds and a highest capacity/footprint.)
The statement makes it clear there is not yet a signed off % crowd capacity reduction or an agreed restart date.
It's also all seated which makes enforcing distancing easier.
A few countries are proposing to allow football back with a higer % of seats in use than the % allowed to stand. I am told - but haven't checked - that Ireland is proposing 33% of seats and 20% of standing capacity.
Obviously that's a different country but it flags up that it may not be a straight % of ground capacity permitted whenever football re-starts.
A few countries are proposing to allow football back with a higer % of seats in use than the % allowed to stand. I am told - but haven't checked - that Ireland is proposing 33% of seats and 20% of standing capacity.
Obviously that's a different country but it flags up that it may not be a straight % of ground capacity permitted whenever football re-starts.
Jimbob73
The Wanley Road Massive
Me, or my dad, haven't received anything?? How can I get the email, did it say anything else?
Not much detail yet but it seems the government are hoping to have fans back in stadiums from October. No indication as to what % of capacity will be permitted. Lots of caveats, understandably given what could happen between now and then.
Fans in stadiums: Boris Johnson says spectators could return in England in October
Spectators could be able to watch sport inside stadiums in England again from October, says Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
www.bbc.co.uk
Nothing about fans but September seems to be the target.
The National League System guidance has been released by the FA.
It states the first possible date for competitive football at this level is 5/9. However with the government suggesting yesterday that it's no spectators until at least October that seems optimistic.
The only real guidance about spectators is that nothing has been decided and that clubs should work out how to manage the likes of reduced capacities and social distancing in case they are needed.
It states the first possible date for competitive football at this level is 5/9. However with the government suggesting yesterday that it's no spectators until at least October that seems optimistic.
The only real guidance about spectators is that nothing has been decided and that clubs should work out how to manage the likes of reduced capacities and social distancing in case they are needed.
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There may be an issue looming for an October return. The Telegraph is reporting the Football Safety Officers are not happy with the current plans. They are citing recent events at Anfield and Elland Road as evidence it may not be workable.
The article is behind a paywall and I didn't read it all before it got blocked however; I did spot a line saying they were particularly concerned about lower league and non league. I presume this is due to there being terracing at those levels.
The article is behind a paywall and I didn't read it all before it got blocked however; I did spot a line saying they were particularly concerned about lower league and non league. I presume this is due to there being terracing at those levels.
scousedom
Well-Known Member
Soz abar us.
pompeydunc
Well-Known Member
Nothing about fans but September seems to be the target.
This applies to Step 7 and below only. The Kent County League confirmed yesterday that they will restart on 5 September with supporters. All clubs need to publish a COVID risk action plan before then.
A restart date for Steps 1-6 (National League System) has yet to be agreed, as it will only restart with supporters.
Scheduled return October 3rd, with reduced capacities.
National League clubs told 3 October will be scheduled start of 2020-21 season
The National League informs clubs that their 2020-21 season is scheduled to start on 3 October.
www.bbc.co.uk
Pink Panther
Well-Known Member
Southern Counties East League has also announced 5 September as the date for their first league fixtures, so presumably this applies to other Step 5/6 leagues.
A government advisor for the return of elite sport, interviewed on BBC News yesterday, stated that a return to full capacity won't happen until at least the new year and probably not before this time next year. I guess that means 50% maximum until all restrictions are lifted. (Any more than that in seated stands means people some sitting in adjacent seats, in which case you might as well have all seats occupied.)Scheduled return October 3rd, with reduced capacities.
National League clubs told 3 October will be scheduled start of 2020-21 season
The National League informs clubs that their 2020-21 season is scheduled to start on 3 October.www.bbc.co.uk
Not good news given that our current business model depends on average attendance of at least 60% of capacity.
There's a DRAFT green guide update doing the rounds. The exact % of seats usable depends on their size, legroom, aisle width etc. The draft models four examples, from 17% to 33% seat useability. This is reduced if you have pinch points elsewhere etc.
No calculated examples for terracing but there will clearly be a major impact there too.
No calculated examples for terracing but there will clearly be a major impact there too.
Given that the vast majority of our income is from match day tickets and bar takings, how can we possibly survive if we're only allowed 500 supporters in the ground (taking the 20% of capacity figure). In such a scenario, either players will have to take a massive wage cut or else we'll have to be uncompetitive next season.
Monkeygrinder's Organ
Dodgy geezer swilling vapid lager
Yes, if that's what it takes. If we're uncompetitive then so be it tbh. Everyone will be in the same boat to some degree though, players will be finding wage offers in short supply and wages will be lower across the board, so who knows how it will pan out.
Maybe Gavin can unearth some youth players like he used to.
There seems to be a trend of players signing for clubs near their home, suggesting wage cuts are biting both at this level and above. Dulwich's geographical location may be helpful if that is true. There will still be a lot of players chasing deals in the next few weeks.
Clearly Dulwich, with a high % of their capacity coming through the gate and no benefactor, will face a substantial challenge.
If we have to cut our cloth to protect the long term viability of the club, so be it. There's no point battling to get a 125 year lease and then overspending and getting liquidated.
Clearly Dulwich, with a high % of their capacity coming through the gate and no benefactor, will face a substantial challenge.
If we have to cut our cloth to protect the long term viability of the club, so be it. There's no point battling to get a 125 year lease and then overspending and getting liquidated.
Nivag
Well-Known Member
Spot on with this.
Pink Panther
Well-Known Member
I would think that's inevitable. It sounds like Hemel Hempstead have been recruiting from the bargain basement, while Tonbridge were reported to have serious cashflow problems even before the pandemic struck, and I'm sure there will be others. Some of the entrepreneurs who bankroll other clubs may not have so much spare cash as before depending how the pandemic has affected their businesses. On the plus side it'll only be two down again, as per last season before the level below was voided.
StephenMac
Well-Known Member
I think the season to come is just one to be got through. Yeah, we'll be badly affected by the reduction in capacity but so will some others. And, as Roger has said, some clubs' sugar daddies may well not be so willing to dig as deep into their pockets as previously.
Also need to consider the very real possibility of a second wave of Covid this winter which would presumably shut down the league again.
I would presume that all clubs are getting creative with player contracts, perhaps connecting pay to attendances and clauses covering any possible shutdown.
Going to be an interesting one but you'd be brave for placing any bets on outcomes at this stage. Gagging for it to get going though, assuming I'll get in to the ground.
Also need to consider the very real possibility of a second wave of Covid this winter which would presumably shut down the league again.
I would presume that all clubs are getting creative with player contracts, perhaps connecting pay to attendances and clauses covering any possible shutdown.
Going to be an interesting one but you'd be brave for placing any bets on outcomes at this stage. Gagging for it to get going though, assuming I'll get in to the ground.
