Why National League season start date could be in doubt

The start of the National League season was purposely put back to October 3 so that clubs could allow supporters to attend.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the proposal to open stadiums to fans must be looked at again because of a rising number of coronavirus infections across the country.

If it is decided that it is not safe for supporters to return then that would put the October 3 start date in doubt given it is widely accepted that clubs at this level can’t operate without vital matchday revenue.

The Blues have opted not to sell season tickets this season due to the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “In light of increasing transmission rates, the government is reviewing the proposed sports and business events pilots ahead of the 1 October and we will, unfortunately, need to scale some back.

“We know fans and audiences are eager to return, and jobs depend on this too, so work continues around the clock on the moonshot project with the ambition of having audiences back much closer to normal by Christmas, if safe to do so.”

At a Downing Street news conference, the Prime Minister stated: “That doesn’t mean we are going to scrap the programme entirely, we are just going to have to review it and abridge it.”