Football Supporters Association urge fans to be patient over return to stadiums

On Thursday, the Government announced which parts of the country would be in which tier from Wednesday. In footballing terms, it determines which clubs can open their grounds to fans for the first time since March.

Harrogate Town are Yorkshire’s only league club in Tier 2, allowing a maximum 2,000 supporters (subject to various regulations) at Wetherby Road but with East, West and South Yorkshire in Tier 3, matches there will remain behind closed doors.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder believes the disparity damages sporting integrity but as far as the body representing fans is concerned, some is better than none, and they hope Tier 3 supporters see it that way.

“It’s really frustrating but ultimately it’s part of the process,” argues Anwar Uddin, the FSA’s diversity and campaigns manager.

“At least take comfort from the fact some of your friends, family and colleagues who support another team are able to go and watch football. One thing this pandemic has done is bring fans together.

“With the two-week window for tier changes hopefully areas in Tier 3 will be able to watch football sooner rather than later. It’s crazy to think you can watch football in a stadium, jump in your car and drive 20 minutes to a stadium where you can’t, but ultimately lines have to be drawn.

“It’s not utopia but it’s better than having no football at all.

“Ideally the gates would open, everyone would get back in to support their team and there’d be no issues around health and safety but it’s the best of a bad situation. There’s still going to be issues but I think fans will welcome the fact we’re heading in the right direction.”

Anwar is also assistant manager of Aldershot Town and whilst the bulk of his playing career was at Dagenham and Redbridge, he had a short spell at Sheffield Wednesday until the financial crisis at ITV Digital saw him moved on before his senior debut. He is well placed to talk about what having fans back will mean, and thinks more people understand now.

“I played for 17 years and I think everyone values what a football supporter is, the efforts they go to and the investment into their club but the pandemic has taught everyone that football without fans is just not the same,” he said. “I’m not just talking about the live event, even watching it on TV.

“Everyone will really appreciate fans who wake up at six in the morning to drive halfway around the country to follow their team.

“Fans are dying to get back in and just have that matchday experience again – win, lose or draw it’s about going with your mates, jumping in the car, going to your favourite restaurant or pub, meeting your friends, doing your rituals, whatever it is. If you take football away from some people’s lives it’s a massive part so it’s going to be great for the country and great for morale.

“But fans are not under any illusions, we want to go back but in the right way, making sure it’s safe. No one wants to have a great Christmas watching our teams then a January and February back in lockdown.”

Anwar believes supporters’ views hold far more weight now.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with the FSA for five years,” he said. “When I first joined I think the governing bodies sometimes looked at us as the annoying organisation that is critical and always wants to be involved but that’s changed because clubs and the governing bodies have realised we want to help.

“So far the dialogue’s been good, clubs have tried to keep everyone involved in the process.

“Sometimes people use lazy stereotypes around football supporters but on the whole they will embrace the opportunity and if there are certain guidelines we have to adhere to, I’m confident football fans by and large will.

“Things are probably not going to be ideal straight away but as long as fans are kept in the loop and understand why decisions are made, that’s the best we can hope for. It’s small steps, but small steps in the right direction.”

Locked out of sport, 
special report: Page 7

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