THIS IS A NEW COVID WORLD

HERE we go again! It’s fantastic our leagues have finally been recognised with the securing of the financial package from the Government that is vital for all our clubs so we can start the season.

- Steve KING

It’s been a worrying time for everyone. You have different conversations every day. Is it going to be alright? What if it isn’t? People have been concerned. There are thousands of footballers at this level and playing is their income as well. It’s also vital for our communities.

It’s unthinkable what would have happened without the grant. We could have never survived without funding. If you don’t allow crowds, then we have to have funding and it’s good that has now been secured. We begin our National League South season on Tuesday at home to Chelmsford City.

It’s just horrible for fans of all Step 1 and 2 clubs they can’t go and support their teams. It really hit home when we held a successful test event at Princes Park for our friendly against Dover Athletic.

Of course, we played in the playoffs behind closed doors. But it was noticeable how different it felt having 700 fans in even for a pre-season friendly.

That game showed how much everybody misses going out to watch games at our level. We ticked every box in getting that event on and everyone at the club deserves a great deal of credit. The National League told us how impressed they were and how well it all went.