The FA have announced that on the evening of Friday 17th July the Government approved their plan for the return of competitive grassroots football.
This plan includes a comprehensive document covering the non league pyramid with definitive details applicable to Wealdstone FC relating to likely league start dates, player welfare, contact training, facilities, volunteer welfare and health and safety protocols amongst others.
This official FA document covering the non league pyramid can be downloaded in .pdf format through the link above. It really is very informative and well worth reading. I don’t believe the document is currently available to read online so download is the only option.
Wealdstone FC could be playing friendlies in August and then start their National League campaign as early as Saturday 5th September with plans for the National League North and South to also start on this date. Steps 3 and 4 then have a target start date of Saturday 19th September.
Moving forward it appears each club will still have to prepare their own Risk Assessment in relation to their facilities and have this approved.
All in all this appears really positive news and hopefully the next step will bring some guidelines as to how attendances will be capped as from an income perspective I just can’t see how the National League can start without fans in the ground.
