Football Spectator Attendance: Covid-19

The MP highlighted the frustration football supporters have felt over not being able to attend matches and expressed concern about the uneven treatment of football compared to other sports. She questioned why DCMS has been left hanging without a clear plan, despite SAGE's August advice warning against easing restrictions due to declining public trust and compliance issues. Made a brief intervention, stating 'And the working woman's!'.

Football is vital for Burnley's economy, as fans generate income for hotels, restaurants, and pubs. The club has taken a significant financial hit but remains committed to supporting the community. He urged the Government to treat football clubs like any other business by allowing them to determine how many fans they can safely welcome back based on their capacity.

The covid crisis has shown that football clubs in leagues one and two are community clubs. Without fan support, these clubs will fail financially. In the summer, the Government wanted football to return but failed to provide financial support or allow fans back into grounds. This is leading to clubs going bust before Christmas with up to 10 clubs unable to meet payroll in November. Community clubs have survived major historical challenges but may not survive due to lack of government support during the pandemic.

Acknowledges the frustration of 200,000 petition signatories, including those from his constituency. Highlights the economic impact of match day income for clubs like Celtic FC in Scotland. Raises concerns about the current impossibility and potential risks of returning fans to grounds due to the deadly second wave of covid-19. Suggests a regionalised tiered approach as seen in Scotland might be beneficial.

The first lockdown affected the UK premier league, costing £1 billion in lost revenue and negatively impacting leagues lower down with potential losses of up to £37 million if fans cannot return all season. The economic and social costs are significant; however, football should be allowed to continue with a responsible number of spectators while adhering to strict social distancing measures.

I support the safe return of fans to grounds as it affects clubs' finances and fan mental health. The current restrictions have led to significant financial losses for clubs like King's Lynn FC and Norwich City, which lost £12 million due to covid. I urge the Government to step in if the Premier League does not provide adequate support.

Football clubs are the heart of communities and depend on ticket revenues. EFL clubs risk bankruptcy, with some at risk of missing November payrolls. Testing capacity must be increased to allow spectators back, along with smart solutions such as rapid testing, temperature checks, deep cleaning, and social distancing.

Paying tribute to Port Vale and Stoke City, Karen Bradley highlighted their importance in community activities in Staffordshire Moorlands. She advocated for a one-size-fits-all approach post-lockdown to allow clubs with capacity to have more spectators, noting the financial impact on volunteer-run clubs like Leek Town. Emphasised the need for spectator sports in Formula 1 and grassroots sports as pipelines for elite athletes.

The MP discussed the impact of coronavirus on Crewe Alexandra FC and other local clubs, emphasising the community role of these football teams. He called for a roadmap from the Government to bring fans back safely and highlighted the need for support during financial uncertainty.

Mr Holden highlighted the financial struggles of lower-tier football clubs in his constituency, noting that revenues for some clubs have dropped by 85% due to the pandemic. He emphasised the importance of these clubs to their communities, mentioning Consett FC which supports over 1,000 children weekly and runs a BTEC education programme with over 100 students.

Football is vital for many people's well-being, as shown by stories about Brentford Football Club fans struggling without matches. The club has been supportive of its fan base during the pandemic, helping those in need and raising money for a fan with cancer. The club thrives because it is at the heart of the community, supporting local businesses and creating jobs. Concise intervention emphasizing financial concerns. The MP suggested that there should be flexibility in implementing rules for stadiums based on their specific physical layouts, particularly given the new stadium design at Brentford football club which allows for controlled fan entry from various directions.

The MP highlighted the importance of football clubs in community life and expressed concerns about financial losses due to lack of fan attendance. She mentioned successful pilot events with up to 1,000 fans and urged the Government to support clubs by providing a roadmap for safely welcoming back spectators.

I attended a pilot game at Bloomfield Road where Blackpool beat Swindon, noting that the safety measures were followed meticulously by fans. Attendance was around 1,000 out of a capacity of over 17,000, and it could have been increased to between 25% and 35%. Clubs found the cost of opening stadiums for such small numbers excessive, and financially viable attendance must be ensured.

Welcomed the constructive engagement of the English Football League in developing ground safety protocols for spectator attendance, emphasised football's role in communities, highlighted Brentford FC's support to local children and families during lockdown, expressed concern over financial pressure on clubs, particularly Brentford FC, called for clearer guidance from the Government.

The Bluebirds, Barrow AFC, are facing significant financial losses due to the pandemic. Despite being promoted to the English Football League after 48 years, they cannot host spectators as planned. The club's community trust provides vital services to local schools and faces risks from the lockdown. Supporters want to return safely to matches post-lockdown.

Bath City Football Club is a community asset that depends on match-day income. The game lacks vibrancy without spectators. Public health officials highlight uncontrolled spaces as the main issue, and there is need for Government to look into fan travel and organisation cooperation.