WE'RE READY TO GO AGAIN!

NON-LEAGUE TACKLES COVID CRISIS

- Alex Thrower

WHILE much of the UK turned to baking and Joe Wicks workouts to bear lockdown, Non-League clubs have been busy planning one key thing – how to get fans back through the (deeply sanitised) turnstiles.

Now, with provisional dates in place for the return of leagues, it is a race against time to ensure grounds are prepared.

The coordination required has necessitated the need for an official at each club, from Step 1 right down the pyramid, who is responsible for the safety of fans, players and everyone in between.

Speaking to two of the game’s newest jobholders, Paul Smith, at Northern Premier League FC United and Nick Davidson at National League Woking, The NLP learned just how clubs are preparing.

“It’s all about judgement,” said Smith, who is also FC United’s operations manager. “There’s no point in sweeping policy coming in and then the league or FA turn around and say we can’t do it.

“Everybody is learning as they go along and that’s what we have to do as well. We’re putting in place outdoor bars and are confident we can safely get crowds of 1,500 (at Broadhurst Park).”