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Post by avfo on Jul 27, 2020 20:40:58 GMT
National League Statement - National League Season 2020/21 Further to a meeting of the National League Board last Friday, the Board has determined the following: • The scheduled start date of the 2020/21 Season is Saturday, 3 October 2020. • 46 league fixtures will be scheduled in the National Division, and either 42 or 40 league fixtures will be scheduled in the North and South Divisions.
• The North and South Divisions will commence the season with The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on Saturday 3 October. • The final league match of the normal season is scheduled for Saturday 29 May 2021. • The end of season play-offs are scheduled to take place in June 2021. Please note the season end date and the scheduling of the play-offs in June is subject to FA approval. It is expected that the season will commence with spectators present, at a significantly reduced stadium capacity. 'Club officials have been informed that competition will likely resume on October 3, with an FA Cup second qualifying round date likely to be first up for Chester FC and the rest of the clubs at Step 2 and below.' www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/national-league-start-date-chester-18672809Professor Calder said: "We need to know, actually, does it matter if you're shouting, how far will those droplets spread? At a football or a rugby match, the fans are going to be shouting and chanting and singing, I hope, and we need to be sure that the people in front of them are as safe as possible. Now if there is no massive droplet spread, well OK, we can keep within the social distancing that we've put down for, say, the Crucible and The Oval. But if it is a problem, then we need to rethink the social distancing within the stadia, and that becomes very difficult." www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53556072 |
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Post by Churton Blue on Jul 27, 2020 21:42:51 GMT
National League Statement - National League Season 2020/21 Further to a meeting of the National League Board last Friday, the Board has determined the following: • The scheduled start date of the 2020/21 Season is Saturday, 3 October 2020. • 46 league fixtures will be scheduled in the National Division, and either 42 or 40 league fixtures will be scheduled in the North and South Divisions. • The North and South Divisions will commence the season with The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on Saturday 3 October. • The final league match of the normal season is scheduled for Saturday 29 May 2021. • The end of season play-offs are scheduled to take place in June 2021. Please note the season end date and the scheduling of the play-offs in June is subject to FA approval. It is expected that the season will commence with spectators present, at a significantly reduced stadium capacity.
'Club officials have been informed that competition will likely resume on October 3, with an FA Cup second qualifying round date likely to be first up for Chester FC and the rest of the clubs at Step 2 and below.' www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/national-league-start-date-chester-18672809Professor Calder said: "We need to know, actually, does it matter if you're shouting, how far will those droplets spread? At a football or a rugby match, the fans are going to be shouting and chanting and singing, I hope, and we need to be sure that the people in front of them are as safe as possible. Now if there is no massive droplet spread, well OK, we can keep within the social distancing that we've put down for, say, the Crucible and The Oval. But if it is a problem, then we need to rethink the social distancing within the stadia, and that becomes very difficult." www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53556072The reduction in attendance capacity will be a major financial worry for the club. Anything less than 1750 and the focus will need to be on financial survival imo. |
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Post by anotherexile83 on Jul 28, 2020 9:07:39 GMT
Given the capacity of our stadium, with careful planning, we should be able to fit 1750 people in in a socially distant way shouldn't we?
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jul 28, 2020 9:13:57 GMT
Given the capacity of our stadium, with careful planning, we should be able to fit 1750 people in in a socially distant way shouldn't we? The talk seems to be of 30% capacity which for us would be 1,560. This is based on a maximum capacity of 5,200 - a number I have in my head from somewhere based on SAG recommendations in previous years. |
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Post by anotherexile83 on Jul 28, 2020 9:22:22 GMT
Given the capacity of our stadium, with careful planning, we should be able to fit 1750 people in in a socially distant way shouldn't we? The talk seems to be of 30% capacity which for us would be 1,560. This is based on a maximum capacity of 5,200 - a number I have in my head from somewhere based on SAG recommendations in previous years. Granted 1560 isn't ideal at all but bearing in mind some grounds in our league have smaller stadiums than us, this must put us in a decent position relatively speaking. I assume that people will have to pre-book tickets and say how many they are coming with (from their household/bubble etc) then they'll be allocated accordingly. I guess it will come down to stewards to make sure on the Harry Mac that people socially distance as you can't easily allocate a standing position like you can a seat. It's going to be a strange season and I hope that by the new year larger crowds will be able to come back, but I'm fully confident we can ride the wave. |
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Post by lincolnexile on Jul 28, 2020 9:27:17 GMT
The talk seems to be of 30% capacity which for us would be 1,560. This is based on a maximum capacity of 5,200 - a number I have in my head from somewhere based on SAG recommendations in previous years. Granted 1560 isn't ideal at all but bearing in mind some grounds in our league have smaller stadiums than us, this must put us in a decent position relatively speaking. I assume that people will have to pre-book tickets and say how many they are coming with (from their household/bubble etc) then they'll be allocated accordingly. I guess it will come down to stewards to make sure on the Harry Mac that people socially distance as you can't easily allocate a standing position like you can a seat. It's going to be a strange season and I hope that by the new year larger crowds will be able to come back, but I'm fully confident we can ride the wave. I'd say that in the NLN most clubs would be happy with the 30 percent figure when you look at the average attendances and ground capacities. Off the top of my head I can only think of York, Chester, Hereford and Darlo who consistently hit more than 30 percent of allowable capacity. I've no doubt that someone with too much time on their hands will now produce a table comparing capacities and average attendances for the whole of the NLN  |
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Post by tarvinblue on Jul 28, 2020 11:49:28 GMT
Our average attendance last season was 2,019 and a 30% cap on a capacity of 5,328 leaves us at 1,598 so we are looking at 421 being our average loss over the period that these restrictions are in place. With 1,000 season ticket holders and, presumably, some need for allocating away tickets it leaves little room for floating fans. It could, however, be great for shifting season tickets.
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Post by dmcnally on Jul 28, 2020 11:55:41 GMT
If our capacity is reduced significantly below average attendance I think we’ll be relying on a paid streaming service to survive. I’ll be in the midlands next season so happy to pay a regular entrance fee to watch a stream, like v Alty.
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Post by anotherexile83 on Jul 28, 2020 13:08:14 GMT
If our capacity is reduced significantly below average attendance I think we’ll be relying on a paid streaming service to survive. I’ll be in the midlands next season so happy to pay a regular entrance fee to watch a stream, like v Alty. Likewise. I've been away from Chester for 18 years now so don't get to many games. If I could pay to stream some I'd definitely do that. |
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Post by Churton Blue on Jul 28, 2020 14:41:26 GMT
Given the capacity of our stadium, with careful planning, we should be able to fit 1750 people in in a socially distant way shouldn't we? The talk seems to be of 30% capacity which for us would be 1,560. This is based on a maximum capacity of 5,200 - a number I have in my head from somewhere based on SAG recommendations in previous years. The 30% capacity figure has been mooted. My recollection is that the capacity is 5,600 but the Safety Certificate is point eight. That would give a capacity of 1344 which is 675 below the average from last season. A financial hit to the club of over 100k and a very serious problem. Hopefully the club can get the Safety Certificate figure back to the full 5,600 as that would make a significant difference. |
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Post by happyclapper52 on Jul 28, 2020 15:05:42 GMT
Why 42 or 40 teams in NLN and NLS?
Isn't this holding up season tickets?
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Post by lincolnexile on Jul 28, 2020 15:13:32 GMT
How would the social distancing work in the stadium? Would every other seat have to be left empty and every other row? If that was the case then the seating capacity would be 1 in 4 seats giving you an allowed capacity of 25 percent. You could argue however that if a family went to the match then they could sit together while still following the guidance, being from the same household.
Therefore maybe the answer would be to introduce a parent and child season ticket for one of the stands, this would mean that you would be using 33 percent of the capacity. Obviously you'd have to find out how many of these parent and child season tickets were taken up before you allocated seating, as you may have a dad or mum who takes two kids with them so you'd have to arrange the seating in the particular row accordingly.
I know all this may seem a bit over complicated but having people able to be sat together would make a hell of a difference to the number of people able to attend the matches.
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Post by Lobster on Jul 28, 2020 15:20:48 GMT
Why 42 or 40 teams in NLN and NLS? Isn't this holding up season tickets? As things stand, only three teams are coming down from the NL, but two each are going up from the NLN and NLS. That would mean either our league or the NLS would have to operate with 21 teams next season. My guess is the plan is for Bury to be put in our league next season. Don't really agree with that myself. |
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jul 28, 2020 15:27:24 GMT
Why 42 or 40 teams in NLN and NLS? Isn't this holding up season tickets? As things stand, only three teams are coming down from the NL, but two each are going up from the NLN and NLS. That would mean either our league or the NLS would have to operate with 21 teams next season. My guess is the plan is for Bury to be put in our league next season. Don't really agree with that myself. Neither do I. If I was a fan or representative of landslide runaway champions South Shields I would be absolutely seething if they were denied promotion for oldco Bury to drop-in from the EFL (remember Newco fan-owned Bury are already confirmed in the North West Counties League). |
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Post by geoff on Jul 28, 2020 16:17:26 GMT
I thought I read somewhere that Bury would start in the Northern Premier League.
On the capacity issue I think the Club should really push season ticket sales with perhaps a small increase in costs. Hopefully There will be spare space then for perhaps 200-300 pay at the gate supporters, like me, and the club could charge a premium amount for those of us who prebook, perhaps £15-£20 a ticket.
Any views?
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Post by happyclapper52 on Jul 28, 2020 16:41:29 GMT
Why 42 or 40 teams in NLN and NLS? Isn't this holding up season tickets? As things stand, only three teams are coming down from the NL, but two each are going up from the NLN and NLS. That would mean either our league or the NLS would have to operate with 21 teams next season. My guess is the plan is for Bury to be put in our league next season. Don't really agree with that myself. Thanks for the explanation. |
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Post by happyclapper52 on Jul 28, 2020 16:44:44 GMT
I thought I read somewhere that Bury would start in the Northern Premier League. On the capacity issue I think the Club should really push season ticket sales with perhaps a small increase in costs. Hopefully There will be spare space then for perhaps 200-300 pay at the gate supporters, like me, and the club could charge a premium amount for those of us who prebook, perhaps £15-£20 a ticket. Any views? Totally agree.Get those season tickets paid for as a matter of urgency.Can add to terms and conditions a potential refund for any game supporters cannot attend due to covid.But get them sold now to help our cashflow. |
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Post by dc2cfc on Jul 28, 2020 17:14:14 GMT
Logistically its a hard one to work out.
Lets say the "Max capacity" we could have would be 1700 - But this is based on every fan attending on their own individually and not sitting next to each other. We have families who attend games as a 2,3,4 or 5 so that then increases the attendance we could have I think?
Then you have mates who always attend the game together in small groups. If they stand next to eachother in the Harry Mac, does that then increase what we are allowed ?
The away fans situation, i'm not too sure about. As do we give up a larger amount of space for say 30 Brackley or Leamington fans on a Tuesday night ? When we could fill more of an area if they were not attending.
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jul 28, 2020 17:14:22 GMT
I thought I read somewhere that Bury would start in the Northern Premier League. On the capacity issue I think the Club should really push season ticket sales with perhaps a small increase in costs. Hopefully There will be spare space then for perhaps 200-300 pay at the gate supporters, like me, and the club could charge a premium amount for those of us who prebook, perhaps £15-£20 a ticket. Any views? Love how you talk of enforcing an increase in price for season ticket holders in one breath and then casually mention “pay on the gates like me” in the next... |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 28, 2020 17:27:04 GMT
On the subject of Bury FC i was reading on twitter yesterday that they got a meeting next week with the FA to see if they re allow them to come back in and start from the National League
Surely that should be thrown out the window
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Post by Old Seal on Jul 28, 2020 17:56:41 GMT
Let's not forget, there may be many fans that would not want to go to the ground if Covid is still around.
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Post by geoff on Jul 29, 2020 7:50:07 GMT
Frank Owen’s Paintbrush........the reason why I pay at the gate is because I am an exile and cannot get to many games. I would happily pay £20 to watch from the Harry Mc. even though I only paid £10 last season. The suggestion of perhaps a slight increase on season tickets was because of possible scarcity with possibly less than usual being available. I assume if you are a season ticket holder and cannot attend a match you can pass your voucher to a friend. For this reason there could be increased demand next season as 2/3 supporters could share one season ticket if they know they can only make certain games.
Any views?
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Post by chesterken on Jul 29, 2020 8:37:53 GMT
Frank Owen’s Paintbrush........the reason why I pay at the gate is because I am an exile and cannot get to many games. I would happily pay £20 to watch from the Harry Mc. even though I only paid £10 last season. The suggestion of perhaps a slight increase on season tickets was because of possible scarcity with possibly less than usual being available. I assume if you are a season ticket holder and cannot attend a match you can pass your voucher to a friend. For this reason there could be increased demand next season as 2/3 supporters could share one season ticket if they know they can only make certain games. Any views? Very hard to give a view when we don’t know how this is going to pan out but on the issue of season tickets I intend to get mine as usual but would be fine with not attending every game to give others a chance, perhaps some sort of rota wher you watch 2 games then miss one. |
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Post by yossergolf on Jul 29, 2020 8:56:59 GMT
Each season I purchase a season ticket but usually miss between 4 and 6 games due to holidays and family stuff. As soon as season tickets go on sale then I will purchase mine even though games could be missed due to this virus.
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Post by chesterken on Jul 29, 2020 9:47:50 GMT
Changing tact slightly I notice teams at a lower level have started training and have friendly games starting next week yet at our level teams had to fundraise And pay for Covid tests to take part in the playoffs, i am a bit confused is it only players at our level and above that can pick up the virus?.
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Post by Frank Owen’s Paintbrush on Jul 29, 2020 9:54:12 GMT
Changing tact slightly I notice teams at a lower level have started training and have friendly games starting next week yet at our level teams had to fundraise And pay for Covid tests to take part in the playoffs, i am a bit confused is it only players at our level and above that can pick up the virus?. Apparently we are playing Blacon Youth in a friendly next month in a game which will allow supporters but the Trafford one is behind closed doors. Confusing messages all round. |
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Post by exiled on Jul 29, 2020 10:40:54 GMT
Changing tact slightly I notice teams at a lower level have started training and have friendly games starting next week yet at our level teams had to fundraise And pay for Covid tests to take part in the playoffs, i am a bit confused is it only players at our level and above that can pick up the virus?. Apparently we are playing Blacon Youth in a friendly next month in a game which will allow supporters but the Trafford one is behind closed doors. Confusing messages all round. I've noticed that too. Doesn't make sense. Unless it's something to do with stadiums. Still doesn't explain testing of players though. |
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Post by jimgreen on Jul 29, 2020 11:14:53 GMT
The Blacon Youth game is against Chester FC Academy, I noticed it had been advertised as a Chester FC XI but it is an academy fixture.
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Post by avfo on Jul 31, 2020 12:45:12 GMT
Any delay beyond a few weeks will surely cast doubt on that start date in early October -
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Post by utb on Jul 31, 2020 13:29:36 GMT
Very worrying development. I suspect we'll have no choice but to ask our fans to pay for a season ticket that may consist of access to a live stream. Hopefully the club can get hold of the right quality camera equipment at a fair price.
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