Supporters are set to return to North East non-league grounds after the Government updated their guidance over recreational team sports.
The move will come as a welcome boost to clubs around the region as they continue to contend with the financial impact caused by the coronavirus epidemic.
The move means that clubs below National League North and South level will receive guidance over what is required to allow supporters to attend their games over the coming season on Wednesday.
This is expected to include the naming of “a person or persons with responsibility for ensuring adherence with these guidelines and ensuring the facility is Covid-19 secure".
Clubs will also be asked to publish a risk assessment of their grounds and collect information from supporters attending their games to assist with the NHS Test and Trace scheme.
Supporters will also have to abide by social distancing guidelines and spectator groups are limited to “six-person gathering limits” and it is expected that attendances will be limited.
Despite the good news for clubs below National League North level, the wait will go on for clubs like Blyth Spartans, Gateshead and Spennymoor Town as the top two tiers of the non-league game are classed as elite sport.
Pre-season friendlies have been taking place at non-league grounds around the region over the last month – but clubs have abided by FA and DCMS advice by holding them behind closed doors.
But supporters took a step forward to making a welcome return after Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston set out plans in response to a letter co-signed by more than 30 MPs including former Sports Minister Tracey Crouch.
Supporters had already launched their own initiative to put pressure on the government with the #LetFansIn campaign which gathered support from around the country and two petitions supporting the cause had received over 6,000 signatures.
Leagues around the region are expected to formally confirm their plans for the new season once members clubs receive guidance over the safe return of supporters on Wednesday.
