THINGS ARE JUST NOT THE SAME!

BEING present at football matches ‘Behind Closed Doors’ is proving to be both surreal and sterile.

- Tony INCENZO

I’ve been to a number of BCD games since the pandemic exploded nine months ago and while every club is working extremely hard to keep authorised visitors Covid safe, the lack of spectators is having a detrimental effect on the overall matchday enjoyment.

As we are considered ‘key workers’ in accordance with UK Government advice, football reporters are permitted to travel in and out of designated tiers when working, including the highest Tier 4. But obviously, we are extremely careful to vigorously adhere to Coronavirus safety guidelines.

One of the most recent matches I attended with no spectators was at Boston United when they entertained AFC Fylde in the Buildbase FA Trophy Third Round a couple of weeks ago. It was an ideal opportunity for me to take a look at Boston’s newly opened £12 million Jakemans Community Stadium.

Pre-match media arrangements were handled very professionally by the home club’s vice-chairman Neil Kempster. He emailed me a media briefing pack containing the extensive ‘Operational Policy’ that had been produced by Boston United for this match.

The main points for visiting journalists to assimilate were:

• You should not attend the game if you or a family member are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19. For example, a new continuous cough, high temperature and/or loss of taste and/or smell.

• You should not attend the game if you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 or displayed symptoms of Covid-19.

• Travel independently to the ground if possible.