NON-LEAGUE clubs like Harwich and Parkeston and Little Oakley have received some welcome good news after a limited number of spectators were given the green light to return to matches.

Fans will be allowed to attend matches at steps three to six of the National League System from this weekend, after the Football Association today issued updated guidelines for the National League System (NLS).

A phased and limited return of spectators for clubs has also been allowed for the Women’s Football Pyramid (WFP), from tiers three to four respectively.

In line with the FA’s guidelines, clubs will be required to have a designated Covid-19 officer, complete and publish bespoke risk assessments and action plans and arrange support for Track and Trace efforts, prior to spectators being allowed back.

The FA said: “We have worked continuously alongside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) and leagues to submit detailed proposals for a phased and limited return of spectators at these levels to the UK Government.

“The DCMS has now clarified its guidance on the return to recreational team sport and clubs at steps three to six of the NLS and tiers three to four of the WFP are permitted to accommodate a phased and limited return of spectators to fixtures.

“However, they must follow the UK Government’s guidance in relation to COVID-19 and The FA’s updated guidelines for the NLS or WFP respectively.

“In addition, regional NLS feeder league clubs and clubs at tiers five to six of the WFP are permitted to accommodate socially-distanced spectators in line with our guidelines for grassroots football.”

Stage one, which will take place between August 22 and August 30, will see spectators allowed to attend fixtures at steps three to six, providing that their number does not exceed 15 per cent of the minimum ground grading capacity at these levels or figures set out within the FA’s updated guidelines.

If a club at these levels does not play any fixtures during this period, it must have played at least one pre-season or competitive fixture in accordance with its respective level of spectators before moving on to stage two.

Stage two will take place from August 31, where clubs at steps three to six of the National League will be permitted to allow spectators to attend fixtures provided that their number does not exceed 30 per cent of the minimum ground grading capacity at their level or the respective figures set out within our updated guidelines.