[Darran]

National League clubs will get £11m to share from the Government to cover January to March. Will be interesting to see how that is divided up and clearly shows crowds are unlikely until March

[OldDirtyGlasses]

DCMS: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/gover...in-england

Sport England:
https://www.sportengland.org/news/winter...tor-sports

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It’s not clearly showing that crowds won’t be allowed, this offer is largely made up of loans (repayable) - not what was offered previously which was a grant.

[Gladfans]

They certainly won’t give clubs money and allow fans in. Darren sadly I think you are right albeit I read that clubs might be able to allow a social distancing crowd. That’s currently on the BBC sports website.

[Darran]

They certainly won’t give clubs money and allow fans in. Darren sadly I think you are right albeit I read that  clubs might be able to allow a social distancing crowd. That’s currently on the BBC sports website.

That depends on what Tier you are in and I actually don't think it is massively fair on some clubs being allowed fans and others not. My view is the Government just wanted to say something to appease fans with there being very little chance of it happening. April has always seemed like a possible target to me and it depends on how the vaccine goes, but could easily be the whole season without fans.

[OldDirtyGlasses]

It doesn’t say they will be “giving” clubs money, they are basically offering business support loans with the aim to speed up the ‘return to normality’ hence allow fans to slowly return- the two things are not mutually exclusive. The loan may act as a float while reduced crowd numbers are allowed for example.

[Darran]

It seems it will be different across the sports some will be loans some will be getting money. I still think it is hard to see fans being back before April.

[OldDirtyGlasses]

I’d like to be optimistic, the Royal Albert Hall is still on course to be allowed 47% capacity crowds for their Christmas 2020 event, providing restrictions allow. Let’s hope we get some leeway too.

[Darran]

I know people use the likes of the Albert Hall possibly allowing people in, but I think it is very different from allowing sport fans up and down the country to go to watch it. A lot more people moving around than the Albert Hall being half full for a night.

[OldDirtyGlasses]

I know people use the likes of the Albert Hall possibly allowing people in, but I think it is very different from allowing sport fans up and down the country to go to watch it. A lot more people moving around than the Albert Hall being half full for a night.

The point is it’s not one night. RAH has 4 standalone evening events planned, followed by a twice daily event for 6 days straight, and then a four-times a day event for 4 days straight. All indoors. The youth team fixtures I went to at the ground were great. It can be done, and it can be done safely.

[Kengreen]

Let's hope Alex comes on here and give us his views after all he will be the one most effected by it.