The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2019 had a detrimental effect on the world at a rapid pace, leaving many businesses and industries worried about what the future holds for their sector, including the footballing pyramid. Many clubs began to fear the worst for their future in their respective divisions, as well as fearing their chances of surviving in the long-term future. As COVID- 19 grew more and more serious, suggestions of making seasons null and void became more spoken about by supporters around the United Kingdom. Loyal supporters of Northern Premier League side, South Shields FC who had their season cancelled due to the pandemic were denied promotion despite a promotion having been confirmed before the virus began. The North East based team had an impressive run in the 2019/20 campaign winning 21 of their 33 games played, drawing 6 of those and picking up 69 points in total during the period. The Mariners began the season with a 1-0 away win at Radcliffe FC shortly followed by a 3-0 hammering of Ashton United at their First Cloud Arena, not knowing that this would be a promotion attempt they would never forget. However, they were not the only side negatively impacted by the virus. Frome Town of the Southern Division One South had been heavily hit by consequences. Looking for a speedy return to the Premier Division South, the Robins picked up 58 points after having played 28 games of which they won 17 and only losing 4 times before facing the disappointing announcement of the season being null and void.
Following a prolonged break, the non-league pyramid began to build hope amongst supporters with the start of the 20/21 season kicking off in September. My local side Harrow Borough FC were drew away to Cornish giants Truro City on what turned out to be a greatly appreciated return to the terraces for the dedicated supporters who made the over 500 mile journey from Earlsmead stadium to the Whites on a cold Saturday afternoon. As many fans up and down the leagues began to get used to normal Saturdays returning, the virus began to pick up at an uncontrollable pace leaving the leagues and FA with very little option but to suspend football once again. The Southern League Premier South was halted after only 6 to 8 games being played depending on the club’s fixture schedule, leaving not much room for players to regain fitness. Unknowingly, the last fixtures of the season were held on Tuesday 27th October with Walton Casuals 3-0 win at home to Metropolitan Police being the stand out result in front of a crowd of 199 people packed into the Elmbridge Sports Hub Stadium.
With another enforced break from football in November supporters across the leagues began to fear they’d see this season end with the same outcome as the last, resulting in many choosing to boycott their team’s friendly games. As a result of this, attendances started to dwindle at an unexpected pace leaving many fixtures being played in front of only a handful of supporters from each side. Additionally, the implementation of tiers across different areas prevented the travelling of away fans to certain games reducing any chance of an atmosphere being created. One example of this was Harrow Borough heading to the Larges Lane ground to take on an exciting Bracknell Town side on a friendly which ended in the sides drawing 1-1 . This was made even more significant as rules stated teams were not allowed to open their clubhouses and bars to supporters, preventing the selling of food and drink therefore cutting a vital stream of income to those who desperately needed it after a problematic year.
The reduction in the number of travelling supporters had an impact on the wider tourism industry, with many hotels and trains which had been previously booked getting cancelled leaving businesses short changed. The lack of away fans also had a drastic impact on bars situated near grounds due to the lost opportunity to sell their meals and drinks to large crowds in the build-up to eagerly anticipated fixtures. A side that can be seen to have been effected more than any other in The Southern League Premier South is Welsh team Merthyr Town FC. The Martyrs faced a difficult situation in comparison to their division counter parts as they fell under the rules of the Welsh Government who prevented the attendance of supporters at the beautiful Penydarren Park Stadium from the start of the pandemic outbreak, causing a normally packed-out ground to be deserted. With no other option suitable, the club were forced to be removed from the league for a season, following confirmation they will be allowed to return in the next edition of the tournament. Having experienced the 4500-capacity ground on many occasions, I can understand the disappointment a large amount of Premier Division South fans would have felt when news broke that a trip across the bridge was removed from their fixture list as well as the chance of being visited by the well-travelled Martyrs support.
The next stoppage in football for the remainder of the squads in the division came in January following a festive football period being cancelled by the government. This break proved to be the breaking point for even the most optimistic of people who keep an eye on the non-league pyramid with many giving up all hope of the season returning therefore looking for another hobby to fill their now empty weekends. Furthermore, the lack of information from the league officials as well as the FA created anger and frustration towards the parties enhancing the disconnect between working class people that support or volunteer at their local teams. Tension was increased even more between the two sides when news broke that loans were the only form of support that was being offered to clubs.
After the recent announcement from the Southern Football League that football will return on Saturday the 14th of August to start the 2021/22 season, supporters will begin to plan returning to a once routine way of spending their weekends following their teams the length of the country and across the border to Wales. However, this is not a sentiment I share, I strongly believe this will be another false start leading to an abrupt end in the final weekends of this year. As a result of this my views are that many supporters will not have the excitement of a packed football calendar that they are used to until significant improvement in the situation is seen.
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