Felixstowe & Walton United FC

Seasiders to welcome back supporters from Saturday

Felixstowe & Walton United FC are now in the position to allow spectators into the Goldstar Ground following confirmation from The FA and the Isthmian League.

Further updates will be added during the week as the situation becomes clearer and our own guidelines are confirmed and announced. Initial thought was that we would be limited to firstly 15% of our own capacity (330), rising to 30% (660) from 31st August, however it has now been confirmed that the % is based on the required capacity at our level (1350) rather than the actual ground capacity.

The official guidance received is below, but we have listed a summary as things stand currently.

We will be limited to 200 supporters for the friendlies versus Leiston (Sat 22nd Aug), Ipswich Wanderers (Tues 25th Aug), & Stowmarket Town (Sat 29th Aug).

The limit will be increased to 400 supporters for the friendly versus Lowestoft Town (Sat 5th Sept) and for League and Cup matches until further notice following that date.

Track and trace details will be taken at the turnstile.

Our own COVID Risk Assessment is available at the foot of this article.  This should be read by anyone attending the match and includes details of entry and exit routes, bar and food details, one way systems, Social distancing rules inc seating arrangements.

The Club Shop will be closed due to Social distancing issues (Items will be available to purchase via Stuart Daynes)

Existing booking taken for the Clubhouse opening on Saturday 22nd versus Leiston will be honoured.

Supporters will be encouraged to arrive in plenty of time for Kick off so queues can be avoided and social distancing measures adhered to. 

To limit the cash handling at the turnstile, and until our new contactless payment system is installed, entry for the Leiston game will be by donation in our "Pay what you want" buckets.

50/50 raffle will still be held but to save queues and cash handling, tickets can be pre-booked by visiting our Twitter and Facebook pages and clicking on the 50/50 post.

Due to the limited numbers allowed, we will admit supporters on a first come, first served basis. We reserve the right to deny entry to those arriving after capacity has been reached.

We apologise for the rules and hope to see all our supporters back enjoying their football, we are obviously bound by tight restrictions so please bear with us while we adapt our systems and do all we can to ensure the safe return of the most important people at our club, you.

FA issues new guidance which will see fans back to football from this week

The Football Association has today issued updated guidelines for the National League System [NLS] and Women’s Football Pyramid [WFP] that include a phased and limited return of spectators for clubs at Steps 3-6.

The FA worked continuously alongside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport [DCMS], the Sports Grounds Safety Authority [SGSA] and leagues to submit detailed proposals for a phased and limited return of spectators at these levels to the UK Government.

The DCMS has now clarified its guidance on the return to recreational team sport and clubs at Steps 3-6 of the NLS are permitted to accommodate a phased and limited return of spectators to fixtures. However, they must follow the UK Government’s guidance in relation to Covid-19 and The FA’s updated guidelines for the NLS or WFP respectively.

 

The return of spectators- Stage One

All clubs at Steps 3-6 of the NLS are required to have a designated Covid-19 Officer; complete and publish bespoke risk assessments and action plans; and arrange support for Track and Trace efforts before implementing the following:

Stage One:

• From 22 August 2020 to 30 August 2020, spectators are permitted to attend fixtures at Steps 3-6 of the NLS, providing that their number does not exceed 15% of the minimum ground grading capacity at these levels or respective figures set out within The FA’s updated guidelines;

• If a club at these levels does not play any fixtures during this period, it must have played at least one pre-season or competitive fixture in accordance with its respective level of spectators before moving on to Stage Two.

The return of spectators- Stage Two

Stage Two:

• From 31 August 2020, clubs at Steps 3-6 of the NLS and Tiers 3-4 of the WFP will be permitted to allow spectators to attend fixtures provided that their number does not exceed 30% of the minimum ground grading capacity at their level or the respective figures set out within The FA’s updated guidelines.

However, they must be satisfied that they have been able to comply with the Government’s guidance on the return to recreational team sport and The FA’s updated guidelines.

The phased and limited return of spectators at these levels will be kept under constant review in line with the UK Government’s guidelines and will be amended accordingly as required.

 

Please click HERE for the COVID-19 Risk Assessment for the return of supporters.