Just like transfer deadline days, Brakes ‘Boost Your Club’ fundraiser saw a flurry of late activity that saw the scheme not only reach it’s intended target of £30,000 but exceed it with a wonderful final amount of £32,475 raised towards funding the new seated stand and supporting the playing budget for the season ahead.
Leamington FC Chairman Jim Scott said, “We as a club are massively indebted to our fans and those within the wider community who have been able to make a contribution. Whether the amount given is small or large it is all hugely appreciated. The additional 250 seats under cover have to be installed by a 31 March 2021 deadline to meet ground grading requirements or otherwise we are automatically relegated from the National League North.”
“In the coming month we will be communicating with you all with regard to the rewards scheme and establishing your preferences and look forward to engaging with you on that. Equally it would be great if you could find the time to complete the online survey regarding the scheme that we are conducting. Your feedback is very important to us.”
Last week saw an update from the National League with regards to the season ahead with a target date of 3rd October set for the season kicking off. That is subject to government approval but we have already heard from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that that is when they hope to let crowds back in. It could of course change but that is the goal that everyone is working towards. The plan is for the season to be completed on 29 May, 2021 with play-offs in early June.
National League clubs have been included in the definition of ‘elite sport’ and the implication for us as a club is that we have to meet the guidelines that are applicable to the Premier League, Championship and EFL. The one area that the club may be given leeway on is that of the necessity for Covid-19 testing which will be a decision for each individual club as it assesses the health risks for management, players and staff. The club also has to appoint a Covid-19 officer plus a Medical Officer to oversee the implementation and management of policies and risk assessments. There is going to be significant work entailed in delivering this but thankfully clubs across the league are pulling together and sharing information.
One area that the club requires immediate support in is identifying a volunteer with a medical background to fulfil that ‘Medical Officer’ role. The clubs officers can do a lot of the legwork on implementing and writing policies but we require the input of a medical/health professional for advice, guidance, overview and management of these. So if you are a retired or an interested health professional with a bit of time on your hands your assistance will be greatly appreciated and you should contact Chairman Jim Scott by email Jim.Scott@Leamingtonfc.co.uk
The intention is that we will have crowds for that opening day of the season; however these are likely to be limited to a reduced percentage, based on health and safety risk assessments meeting government social distancing guidelines and protocols. The club is working on that as we speak. Hence why we are not announcing season ticket information until we have a clear understanding of our likely capacity and whether a full season fixture schedule will take place. The Board of Directors have already made the decision that payment terms will be extended to support fans and that we will need to include innovative ticket packages.
The likelihood is that the club will have to introduce an automated ‘ticketing system’ and that is something that is being explored now. Additionally, we are looking at ‘streaming options’ to provide live coverage for fans that cannot make games. The current government rules around streaming mean that such an option cannot take place on a Saturday (with a few exceptions) but can be done midweek. The National League and member clubs are currently looking at all the options with no decisions yet made on feasibility or delivery. With that in mind the club are currently installing an enhanced ‘through the air’ WIFI system that will enable delivery of such an option and in parallel deliver significantly increased connectivity for fans attending games as well as businesses using the premises for meeting purposes.
As we all know Covid-19 is creating a very fluid situation but there is a joint drive from all parties to get football back being played in front of spectators. The demise of Bury FC combined with no promotions from Step 3 has inevitably meant that one of the two Divisions at Step 2 would be a club short in Season 20-21. The National League Board confirmed last week that the National League North would operate with 22 clubs and the National League South with 21 in the next campaign.
A massive thank you to all the volunteers who for the last two months have turned up on Saturdays to paint, tidy, wash, weed, repair and so much more as we look to get the ground in tip-top shape. We are almost there but it would be great if you could come down this Saturday between 9am-12 noon to help us finish the task.
In the meantime keep safe and keep a lookout on the website and social media for the latest information as we drive towards that start line.
Jim Scott
Chairman
On behalf of the Board of Directors.
