Last season was a disappointment but that is now history and firmly behind us, following yesterdays announcement by the Joint Response Group, hopefully the start of the 2020/21 season is not far away
As we approach the start of the new season I would like to thank everybody for their patience and understanding, particularly the players and coaching staff, of the guidelines under which we must now operate.
The squad will be able to begin the next stage of training that involves contact training as they prepare for the start of friendly games and this is where we need you to understand the new guidelines and assist us.
The guidelines for a matchday will be complex and while we are in the fortunate position of having space available to us, we need to make sure that the “red area” and the guidelines are attached are fully understood. To this end it is anticipated that at least one and probably two of our pre-season games will have to be behind closed doors to enable us to get the match protocols nailed down.
There will be several changes regarding Laing Park regarding entrances and exits etc and we hope to be able to publish these later this week.
While we are all excited to see the boys return to match action, I must respectfully ask you to bare with us as we continue to operate with the strictest of protocols in place to keep our players and staff safe.
When it is safe to reintroduce supporters Laing Park, it is likely to be at a reduced capacity. We are working on what we believe is the most robust and fair system and information on this will be shared as soon as it is possible to do so. Please be assured our aim is to get us all back together, safely, as soon as it is practicable.
Having to watch football in behind closed doors games is something that I will never forget and as General Manager is something that filled me with fear for the club. Supporters are what holds any club together through good and bad times and are vitally important not just from a financial point of view.
As football supporters, we start the season off with such high hopes and expectations. This season will be like no other and – at some point in the near future – we will be back together at Laing Park.
As a club the last six months will be part of our history, we will talk about them for years to come – reflecting on the season that wasn’t and being unable to go to games. However, we must also remember those that won’t be able to join us after falling to the vicious pandemic but also those that have worked tirelessly on the front line fighting to keep people alive and safe and we will be proud to carry a thank you to the NHS on our away shirts.
Thank you once again for your support as always but particularly over the last few months.
Mon The Gowfers !
Mark
