Tiverton Town join 'Let Fans In' movement

Non league clubs demand change

Tiverton Town Football club - and many other non league football clubs across the country - have started a movement to safely welcome fans back into their grounds. 

Most non league clubs rely on gate money to keep afloat - but the government haven't given them the green light to let fans back into their stadiums amid coronavirus. That could soon change.

It's "easily possible" to social distance at matches, say Hengrove Athletic Football Club. Other clubs have called it "ridiculous" that people can go to the beaches, visit shopping centres but not attend non league football matches.

Around 500 people have now signed a petition in favour of the #LetFansIn campaign.

The petition, started by Mitchell Radford, says: "Since we have passed the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic in the UK back around April/May time we have seen various places open that can hold a decent sized social gathering. These include; pubs, cinemas, beaches and shopping centre’s etc where at any one time could see 1000’s attend across the UK. 

"Sadly, this hasn’t happened for Non-League Football. We are yet to see the return of NLF despite most clubs being able to provide social distancing measures and guidelines which would keep us all safe. 

"Our Non-League clubs will not survive without gate/match-day income. We are yet to receive a firm start date with Droylsden FC already dropping out of the NPL for financial reasons.

"We are making a stand as a community, not just for financial reasons but for mental reasons too. For most at this level, NLF is a way of coping with the pressures of life and many give up numerous hours to see their team play."

View the petition HERE.