Fans Returning to Stadiums

[HenneysKnee]

I’ve no idea if it will happen again but are we ready to take part in a 1000 fan test pilot if allowed?

[+[ [[Kris]] ]+]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... dApp_Other

[PerthBluebird]

Aint no fans for a longggggg timeee next season at the earliest

[saltcellar]

Not looking good for an early return of fans.


The leaders of more than 100 sports bodies have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask for emergency funding, warning of "a lost generation of activity" because of coronavirus.

The coalition of organisations says they are "united in our concern that at a time when our role should be central to the nation's recovery, the future of the sector is perilous".

In a letter seen by BBC Sport, the group urges the government to provide a "sports recovery fund" so the sector can "survive and stabilise".

Plans for spectators to be allowed to return to stadiums and venues was placed under review earlier this month after a rise in coronavirus cases, with pilot events restricted to 1,000 people.

A number of sports have urged the government to allow them to continue with their plans to open turnstiles from 1 October, with a decision due this week.

However, it is understood they are set to be told that fans will not allowed back from next month and that pilot events will be paused.

The letter written by the organisations, which include the Football Association, Premier League, Rugby Football Union, England and Wales Cricket Board and Lawn Tennis Association, adds: "We require a comprehensive support package for the sport and physical sector to aid its recovery.

"This package must combine investment, tax incentives, and regulatory reform.

"Covid-19 has undermined our commercial revenue streams with both stadiums and leisure facilities closed or greatly reduced in capacity.

"The impact of this will potentially lead to a lost generation of sport and activity.

"We are particularly concerned about the impact on those whose participation has been limited during the pandemic. Physical activity levels, especially in the most vulnerable groups, are significantly below where they were tracking pre-Covid-19."

The arts industry was given a £1.57bn support package by the government in July.

Although Sport England has handed out £200m for emergency cases, many in the sector believe more is needed.

A series of sports bodies have announced job losses in recent weeks and warned they face major mounting losses if turnstiles are not opened soon.

The government is to ask sports bodies to assess the financial impact of several more months without paying spectators, and is understood to be preparing to work with organisations on what support might be needed to help them survive.

In the letter, the prime minister is told that sport and physical activity contributes more than £16bn and 600,000 jobs to the UK economy.

"Our sector will be at the forefront of your plans to improve the health and wellbeing of all communities…to solving societal issues…including reducing health inequalities, tackling obesity, cutting crime, easing loneliness, and enhancing social cohesion," the group adds.

"But to do so effectively, we require your government's backing."

Lisa Wainwight, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said: "The strength of this coalition from the sports, recreation and activity sector cannot be ignored in its public call to the prime minister.

"The pandemic has put an incredible strain on our sector, which was forced to close for a prolonged period.

"It is imperative that our sector gets the support it requires from the government to get back to business, in order to ease the pressures on the NHS and play a central role in our nation's recovery."

Swim England has reported that 22% of public pools remain closed and all those that are open have reduced capacity. Some 36% of clubs remain without access to pools.

Industry bodies Community Leisure UK and UK Active estimate leisure centres, swimming pools and community services face a shortfall of more than £800m this year.

Former sports minister Tracey Crouch added: "This isn't just about the number of people on a pitch, field, court or in a pool or gym.

"This is about the whole ecosystem that supports sport, fitness and leisure and, if we're not careful, historic clubs and the jobs that support them will be lost, potentially for good. If government is going to shut sport down then it needs to provide a package of support to stop its decimation."

[sambino]

Not happening in October now

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/54246745

[LewisBAFC1901]

Will look forward to my refund for the month of October

[+[ [[Kris]] ]+]

I'm sure the UK government will be happy to oblige. Drop em a line

[HenneysKnee]

Massive blow that; clubs will need money and need it now

[sambino]

Some kind of package is going to be needed soon clubs cannot continue like this with yesterday’s tone by the scientific bods I cannot see anyone back in grounds for another 6 months. It’s long term worries me as well we had picked up all those new fans with our great run last season we will be starting again after such a long break to pull people in

[blue nige]

Will look forward to my refund for the month of October

go ahead because if everyone thought like you we'd have no club to get a refund off I've bought a season ticket and while I'm [SwearFilter] off that I can't watch barrow if I can't do that for 6 months then so be it but I don't want a refund i want the club to survive!

[Lancaster Branch]

I'm sure the UK government will be happy to oblige. Drop em a line

If HMG are happy to subsidise McDonald’s i’m sure they’ll be happy to help out football clubs who have planned according to the guidance and timescales set out by the DCMS.

Refunds for fans, contract subsidies etc.

#cheersRishi

[LewisBAFC1901]

go ahead because if everyone thought like you we'd have no club to get a refund off I've bought a season ticket and while I'm [SwearFilter] off that I can't watch barrow if I can't do that for 6 months then so be it but I don't want a refund i want the club to survive!
[/quote]

What a silly thing to say. Tickets were bought for fans to be allowed to enter from October. Now I’m either refunded for the month or I will march onto the terracing.

[barrowfan_chris]

We're probably fine this season the added EFL money you get, lower running costs compared to other clubs and an active trust.

Although long term damage to football as a whole could be huge without Government support.

First games back in football league you'd have hoped for 4k crowds and hoped some of those became regulars. Who knows what support we'll get when this is over.

I don't enjoy watching football to empty stadiums and I've been bored watching us the last 2 games so I'll donate to club directly and find other things to do on Saturdays going forward.

STH so club already have my gate money for the season whatever happens.

[alvin]

Don't buy season ticket to watch football on my bloody phone as won't mirror onto TV

[behind the goals]

The Club can keep my Season Ticket money if I can`t attend this season so be it. Would be interesting to know how many forum members with season tickets would do the same a big ask for some but we must survive this.