Looking forward positively together.

[daves]

Hi Everybody

I and the club hope that you are all keeping well and your families are staying alert and safe from this terrible Covid-19.

It is understandable that this Forum has been very quiet after having the chance of promotion so cruelly taken away from us. But despite the great sadness the club, your club has not stood still and moaned - we have got on with things in a very positive way and are planning optimistically for the clubs future.

The new directors met with the old last week and a very positive video meeting took place with everyone looking to move the club forwards

Graham of course is planning his team affairs under very difficult circumstances and was at the ground today and gave a good review of where things stand at the moment.

The head groundsman is working hard at Borderville and has the Zeeco Pitch in excellent condition - in fact we could stage a game tomorrow.

The work on the main building extension has started and should be complete by Christmas. This will allow more future space for the football club to develop further interests.

So we keep going, keep planning for when the new season starts - whenever that may be, and nobody knows that yet.

NOW

There is every chance that football may have to start with SOCIAL DISTANCING in mind - everyone would hope not, but while it is a possibility we have to have contingency plans. It is a fact, non-league football cannot take place or survive without the financial input all over the club of its supporters, so we need to plan ahead.
We have been doing this as an exercise to see where we are.
We have a very modern ground with excellent facilities and are in a good position to utilise social distancing rules if this is the only way football can commence in the near future.
I would like you all to think about this. Because we would need the full cooperation of everyone who wants to get back to watching their team play football. Things may not be the same in your ground. You may not be able to do things as easily as you did before this pandemic. But the club would be doing everything they can to keep things as normal and keep the football experience and atmosphere as normal as possible, whilst also ensuring everyone who wants to come along can do so.

We have got great supporters at Stamford and we need you, and we may need you to bear with us, help us and tolerate a few differences for a while until we eradicate this horrible virus.

So, we need some positivity from football fans and above all - we want you all safely back for the new season, and to be safe in the Zeeco Stadium when you come to watch.

Play Up The Daniels

[chewy]

Saves, many thanks for your comprehensive and upbeat report on what's happening pre season at these strange times. Can we look forward to one or two tasty friendliest? The pitch looks great the Groundsman gets top marks.

[chewy]

Stupid typing error sorry Daves.

[daves]

Chewy
Whilst it is very difficult for all clubs to arrange pre-season, I can assure you Stamford are well ahead in talking with some very good clubs.

Can I ask supporters for your views and any ideas about social distancing within football grounds. Its in the interest of both club and supporters that whatever we have to do, we get things right for all concerned.
Lets hope we have to do nothing - but my fear of that is that they are not allowing us to play football at all.
And as previously stated, no fans means no income no football clubs.
Stay safe.

[chewy]

Daves, I think many will be reluctant to give advise partly because that should be forthcoming from the League or the FA. Further it might be assuming you know better than those who run the club so well which would be pretty arrogant. However since suggestions were invited some things seem sensible ideas.
I see about four problems. 1. Getting the fans into the ground 2 Getting fans out of the ground. 3 Dispersal of the fans when in the ground. 4 problems relating to the game itself. Self isolation at a corner kick? Too complex this by far for this writer. So assuming self distancing is still in force (a) Use more than the single
Turnstile. (b)double at least the number of stewards. (C) zone the areas for fans each having a limit. Consider if a limit on the number of fans in side the ground
The question of parking and refreshments may also arise. Let's hope this is largely an academic exercise. Others will no doubt rubbishy his but if such restrictions are I place clear communication will be vital. Sad that this forum has to be considering this
Last season(or is it still this season) the team played much excellent football on a lovely pitch with GD having a great season along with the squad.
We can look forward with optimism to next season.

[daves]

Some good points Chewy and as you say, we await official instructions from our league and FA. Some of your points will be mandate for the whole league, what happens if some clubs couldn't comply will be very interesting indeed. Stamford AFC have covered your points, and will continue to monitor all situations as they arise. Your thoughts and views are very much appreciated Chewy - be good to get a broader opinion on things from a few more. It does help us moving forward.

[spider]

I've been thinking about social distancing around the perimeter of the pitch. If the 2m rule is still in place I calculate that, excluding the areas in front of the 2 stands and the raised section by the changing rooms because they are less than 2m wide and fans couldn't pass each other, we could get about 100 fans watching the game. I'm not sure whether having fans in the seated stand could be made to work because of having to pass each other along the rows. Maybe a few could use the standing stand.
To get more people watching the game I wonder what the chances are of using the large natural grandstand we have i.e. the earth mound on the south side. I guess it would be a non starter.