CLUB STATEMENT: FA non-elite football update
Following our last update things have clearly moved very quickly with the league issuing the statement below following the National Lockdown announced last night. This is the suspension of all fixtures with immediate effect.
Chairman Dave Bowden said, “Of course we are all frustrated at the lack of football, but the statement from the NPL clarifies the situation.”
“The key priorities for us as a club now look beyond completing fixtures.
We will be working hard to ensure that when we emerge from this situation, our club, which will celebrate its Centenary in 2021, is in the best possible position on and off the pitch.”
“Our thoughts go out to all our playing staff and supporters in this most difficult of times for everyone involved with the Reds. We will return to some form of normality this year and we will play football again, in the meantime please stay safe and we look forward to seeing you all back at the club in the months ahead.”
“Contact details have been made available in previous updates. We will check these and respond as soon as we can, please stay in touch should you have any queries.”
NB Centenary Club Memberships and other merchandise are available online from the Supporters Club shop.
FA Non Elite statement (4 January)
An update for ‘non-elite’ football in England following latest COVID-19 restrictions.
We note the UK Government’s announcement this evening with regards to the new national COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown. As a result, the impact on ‘non elite’ football in England will include the suspension of fixtures and training across the following, with immediate effect:
• Steps three to six of the National League System (NLS)
• Tiers three to seven of the Women’s Football Pyramid
• Regional NLS feeder leagues
• Barclays FA WSL Academy League (unless under elite status)
• FA Girls Regional Talent Clubs (unless under elite status)
• All indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football, including under 18s (except organised outdoor football for disabled people which is allowed to continue)
• Vitality Women’s FA Cup (which is currently classified as ‘non-elite’ at this stage in the competition)
It is extremely important that clubs, players, coaches, match officials, league officials, volunteers, parents, carers and facility providers adhere to the UK Government’s new national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and we implore everyone to follow these.
Dialogue will continue with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, leagues, competitions and County FAs and we will provide further updates for the 2020/21 Vitality Women’s FA Cup, Buildbase FA Vase and ‘non-elite’ football when relevant.
We would like to thank the football community once again for its hard work, resilience and understanding during such an incredibly challenging period for both the game and wider society.
