A&H

2020/2021 season registration. Wait?

I think the PL will be fine. They can afford to test and isolate themselves in hotels. Local football is another story. If we follow the trends if other European countries then we may well see a big drop in infections over the next few weeks, which imo will pave the way forward for amateur football before 2021. Changing rooms may remain locked etc but I think we will be able to get going. Once/if theres a period of very low new infections and day to day life has returned in terms of work and shops open etc (with SD of course) i cant see the reasoning for keeping amateur football off limits.
I'm working away tonight, the first time since March 17th, huge changes checking in, no food, self serve breakfast, its just adapt and overcome really! I met a customer today in full face visor and gas mask, it was like something out of a horror movie, I really couldn't understand what she was saying, its a new norm....Things will ease down but only slowly, local football isn't coming back fast, multiple close action opportunities for 22 plus players to pass the virus, nobody is signing that off!!
 
The Referee Store
I'm working away tonight, the first time since March 17th, huge changes checking in, no food, self serve breakfast, its just adapt and overcome really! I met a customer today in full face visor and gas mask, it was like something out of a horror movie, I really couldn't understand what she was saying, its a new norm....Things will ease down but only slowly, local football isn't coming back fast, multiple close action opportunities for 22 plus players to pass the virus, nobody is signing that off!!

They will if its given the go ahead from the government. Sign off requires scientific evidence and risk analysis. Once the numbers are ok then we'll be back in the middle. How long that takes is anyone guess but my opinion is that it wont be as long as everyone thinks. Football by xmas imo
 
The problem is no one has got a clue about this virus, and that isn't a criticism of anyone as it is brand new. There seems to be evidence in Italy that it has all but disappeared, and even when people get infected it is now much less potent. That potentially means it is less effective in warmer weather, but of course if that is the case we face getting it back again next October or November.


Where all that leaves football I have no idea.
 
They will if its given the go ahead from the government. Sign off requires scientific evidence and risk analysis. Once the numbers are ok then we'll be back in the middle. How long that takes is anyone guess but my opinion is that it wont be as long as everyone thinks. Football by xmas imo


just in time for three months of weather related call offs 😢
 
So what about the middle bit? By that I mean supply league to national.
We have to supply a blood cert to run the fitness tests. I can't see my GP practise being happy to do that, nor the pharmacy.
Will we be allowed to sit without. Sign a disclaimer perhaps. Will they be able to get St John's ambulance?
We are a long way off amateur sports imo.
I know if it came back tomorrow I'd still be staying home.
 
So what about the middle bit? By that I mean supply league to national.
We have to supply a blood cert to run the fitness tests. I can't see my GP practise being happy to do that, nor the pharmacy.
Will we be allowed to sit without. Sign a disclaimer perhaps. Will they be able to get St John's ambulance?
We are a long way off amateur sports imo.
I know if it came back tomorrow I'd still be staying home.

Have the FA said that they are still insisting on a GP signed blood pressure certificate? Really can't see how that will be viable in current times, my GP used to object to it even before this strange new world and I suspect now they would just tell me to do one.
 
Have the FA said that they are still insisting on a GP signed blood pressure certificate? Really can't see how that will be viable in current times, my GP used to object to it even before this strange new world and I suspect now they would just tell me to do one.
No sorry. Nothing official yet. Apologies for wording in a way that suggested they had.
 
Lest not forget that FIFA's Chief Medical Officer's claims that returning Grass Roots would present far fewer challenges than higher echelons
I can't forget his exact words and he does represent my least respected organisation... so not sure why I'm quoting
Think about it though... Take the changing rooms, handshakes and subs benches out of the equation... and the risk amounts to roughly zilch
This virus is not really spread through aerosol. It's contaminated surfaces and/or prolonged indoor proximity to a super spreader that fuels the flames
@JamesL ... therefore bit surprised by your super cautious stance... ships in the harbour and all that (unless you have a need to shield)
 
Lest not forget that FIFA's Chief Medical Officer's claims that returning Grass Roots would present far fewer challenges than higher echelons
I can't forget his exact words and he does represent my least respected organisation... so not sure why I'm quoting
Think about it though... Take the changing rooms, handshakes and subs benches out of the equation... and the risk amounts to roughly zilch
This virus is not really spread through aerosol. It's contaminated surfaces and/or prolonged indoor proximity to a super spreader that fuels the flames
@JamesL ... therefore bit surprised by your super cautious stance... ships in the harbour and all that (unless you have a need to shield)
No, I don't need to shield, but I also don't see the risk as zilch.
You'll be surrounded by 20 odd players spitting all over the place, natural when engaging in high intensity sport, potentially running through and past aerosol of another person who perhaps is asymptomatic.
I might feel differently at the time but at this time the south west had the highest r rate, people are dying and people are still becoming infected. So yes, the risk is minimal outdoors, but let's not forget that this is remaining outside of 2m. Not always possible on a football pitch.
I have taken the whole thing quite seriously, and continue too until the point I feel that the information we are being given satisfies my opinion that its safe again. At tge minute the guidance is not conducive to full contact sports between 22+ people.
To add to it I don't necessarily agree with the extent to which the easing of restrictions is happening at the moment. Yes I know we need to get the economy going again (I am from that side of the political spectrum) but that can't and shouldn't be to the detriment of public health.
 
No, I don't need to shield, but I also don't see the risk as zilch.
You'll be surrounded by 20 odd players spitting all over the place, natural when engaging in high intensity sport, potentially running through and past aerosol of another person who perhaps is asymptomatic.
I might feel differently at the time but at this time the south west had the highest r rate, people are dying and people are still becoming infected. So yes, the risk is minimal outdoors, but let's not forget that this is remaining outside of 2m. Not always possible on a football pitch.
I have taken the whole thing quite seriously, and continue too until the point I feel that the information we are being given satisfies my opinion that its safe again. At tge minute the guidance is not conducive to full contact sports between 22+ people.
I've read some of the latest research on transmission recently and it's very focused on surfaces and indoors. Yes, one could get the virus by being directly coughed on or spat at (in any setting), but the risk revolves around surfaces on which these aerosols settle, because the virus survives for days on end. Even indoors, it might take up to fifteen minutes of close proximity to get a 'viral load' (in the absence of projectile snot)
So catching it in passing outdoors is not the transmission vehicle of concern, although the Govt. use the blanket 2m rule cos its simple
'Covid-virology according to Big Cat' 🐈 (taking no responsibility for anyone getting ill!)
 
Last edited:
I've read some of the latest research on transmission recently and it's very focused on surfaces and indoors. Yes, one could get the virus by being directly coughed on or spat at (in any setting), but the risk revolves around surfaces on which these aerosols settle, because the virus survives for days on end. Even indoors, it might take up to fifteen minutes of close proximity to get a 'viral load' (in the absence of projectile snot)
So catching it in passing outdoors is not the transmission vehicle of concern, although the Govt. use the blanket 2m rule cos its simple
'Covid-virology according to Big Cat' 🐈
When asked about reducing the 2m rule outdoors the CMO, very reluctantly, and shifty looking at Bojo, essentially told us no chance.
I am no expert in viral diseases so I get much of my info and form most of my opinions from Mr Whitty and Patrick Vallance.
I dont generally follow the MPs I listen to what those two are saying and that is that it is still in the community, there still is a risk and we should continue to socially distance in all settings.
It's interesting to watch the difference in messages between the MPs and the medical officers as they aren't always exactly on the same hymn sheet
 
When asked about reducing the 2m rule outdoors the CMO, very reluctantly, and shifty looking at Bojo, essentially told us no chance.
I am no expert in viral diseases so I get much of my info and form most of my opinions from Mr Whitty and Patrick Vallance.
I dont generally follow the MPs I listen to what those two are saying and that is that it is still in the community, there still is a risk and we should continue to socially distance in all settings.
It's interesting to watch the difference in messages between the MPs and the medical officers as they aren't always exactly on the same hymn sheet
So I understand that aerosols can be projected up to around 2m, but only on an exponentially reducing basis. The Covid droplets that do the damage are relatively big and therefore settle quickly. I have no problem with the 2m instruction however and it would be nonsensical to reduce this outdoors because folk would go into another meltdown
Point being, whilst someone could violate you (close range coughing etc) in any instance of time, the droplets associated with such an event will stay on the receiving surface (especially indoors), violating touching passers-by for several days to follow (and many instances of time)
 
Thinking about this further...
The evidence suggests that, if casual/fleeting outdoor contact was driving this disease, we wouldn't have seen huge reductions in transmission during lockdown. The Govt. (for all their failings), seem aware of the importance of sporting participation (they've already allowed socially distanced training in groups of 6). Although I'm asserting that grass roots football will be safe, that's a narrow-minded view because there is no 'R' wiggle room
My mindset is self orientated. If the Govt. (SAGE) say football participation is safe, then I'm first in the queue. Life is all about sensible risk
 
Theres has to be a level where football becomes acceptable, and that level is not zero risk. If that's what we are looking for then we wont get any football until theres a vaccine and that seems absurd. Theres has to be a number, based on probability, where we say ok, it's safe to play again. Let's say that following scientific research done by the FA, that chances of being infected by coronavirus are 5% (arbitrary number). Do we accept that? Because if we dont then we dont have football until we have a vaccine, and we may not have a vaccine for years if ever.

Somebody has to sign off a return to low level sports and therefore there needs to be science behind it. But ultimately, there needs to be an acceptance of a reasonable risk, otherwise there is no football.

I know they're different, but theres a risk of influenza being passed on ever Winter during every game of football. Public health England estimate that its 17,000 people who die here every year. Now if we get the Covid-19 rate down to 17,000 a year, which is definitely achievable in the near future based on how the rates across the EU are dropping, do we say that its sufficiently safe to allow football? Again, inexact science and packet fag numbers, but it does show that we need to accept some risk if we want football back.
 
I've read some of the latest research on transmission recently and it's very focused on surfaces and indoors. Yes, one could get the virus by being directly coughed on or spat at (in any setting), but the risk revolves around surfaces on which these aerosols settle, because the virus survives for days on end. Even indoors, it might take up to fifteen minutes of close proximity to get a 'viral load' (in the absence of projectile snot)
So catching it in passing outdoors is not the transmission vehicle of concern, although the Govt. use the blanket 2m rule cos its simple
'Covid-virology according to Big Cat' 🐈 (taking no responsibility for anyone getting ill!)

That doesn't explain why such a large number of bus drivers in London have contracted the virus and sadly in many cases died. London has been contactless payment only for some time and that can only really suggest they have been infected by air transmission rather than touch.

Comes back to what I said before, even the best experts in the World really don't have a full picture of this virus as it is so new.
 
That doesn't explain why such a large number of bus drivers in London have contracted the virus and sadly in many cases died. London has been contactless payment only for some time and that can only really suggest they have been infected by air transmission rather than touch.

Comes back to what I said before, even the best experts in the World really don't have a full picture of this virus as it is so new.
I wasn't saying that the virus can't be transmitted by aerosol. Merely pointing out that this is relatively unlikely in most outdoor settings. On the contrary, sit in close proximity to a carrier (within a metre) for quarter of an hour and you'd be in the red zone. We don't have the stats on bus drivers, but they were/are more exposed than the average person and are not working outside. I'm guessing that if several passengers transmitted some virus to the driver, the dosage would add up to the infection threshold
Back to the 2m rule, the WHO recommend 1m, so 'who' is right!?
 
With the impending Horlicks of the Track and Trace app until a vaccine is out it’s feet up boys! Your probably in denial if you think you’ll be wearing a new shirt in the middle probably for the whole of 2020 for starters and probably well into 2021 too!
 
You've got considerations that are not related to players running around the pitch.

Enclosed changing spaces and shower facilities for pre and post game.

Cleaning of facilities that host multiple teams - morning and afternoon.

How physios deal with players injuries


Interesting to see that there is a Step 5 and 6 meeting taking place on June 19th, that may or may not provide extra clarity, however I can't see fitness tests and friendlies in England prior to September, heck teams can't even get together and train properly yet.
 
Last edited:
With the impending Horlicks of the Track and Trace app until a vaccine is out it’s feet up boys! Your probably in denial if you think you’ll be wearing a new shirt in the middle probably for the whole of 2020 for starters and probably well into 2021 too!
I slightly lean towards pessimism, but I'm tending to disagree with your prophecy on this occasion
It depends on the continued decline in community infection levels and the success of this contact tracing malarkey, so I understand your sentiments on that basis. However, a solution is a necessity for many Supply/Contributory Clubs, otherwise many (if not most) could cease to exist by the turn of the year
 
Back
Top