The Isthmian League have issued a brief statement on 30th December, indicating, unsurprisingly, no change from the current season pause.

The statement can be found here: https://www.isthmian.co.uk/isthmian-league-covid-update-30-december-2020-64871

Due to unforeseen issues with our suppliers, we regret that unfortunately some orders may not be fulfilled befor Christmas. Sincere apologies to everyone who is still waiting. We are working flat out to dispatch all orders as quickly as possible.

The Football Association have issued the following guidance – Football for adult participants across ‘non-elite’ football in Tier 4 areas is not permitted, including all training and fixtures. Full statement on the FA website:

https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/dec/19/covid-19-tier-4-update-191220

Following the announcement on Thursday (17th December) by the Isthmian and Southern Leagues that there will be no league matches until the new year, the club’s board met to discuss the impact and ramifications. Chairman Paul Reed summarises the discussion and main outcomes of the meeting:

“A few weeks have passed since my last update and I wanted to start by repeating my sincere thanks to all Society Members and other supporters for their patience and understanding during these very difficult times. I know that there is still a strong feeling among many of you wanting to see Town back out on the pitch sooner rather than later, but of course health and safety is the overriding concern at the moment, as it has been for many months.

“The Society AGM will be going ahead via Zoom link on Thursday 21^st January 2021 (7.30pm), and there will be ample opportunity for members to ask detailed questions about both on and off field issues. An agenda and joining instructions will be circulated direct to members separately.  In the meantime, although there was no clubs’ vote on this occasion, the board were fully supportive of the league decision to continue with the current pause, noting that there would be 14 days’ notice in advance of any resumption.

“In addition to acknowledging a duty of care for players, officials, volunteers and other supporters there were lengthy discussions about the club’s finances which, as I say, can be examined in greater detail at the AGM.  For now I think it is fair to say that the club can weather the storm of being mothballed, with little or no activity, again.  We do, however, have some significant challenges, primarily around sponsorship, loss of matchday income, lack of Butler’s Bar hire income and the urgent need to hear some news – which may be some weeks away – about government support manifesting itself in the form of grants rather than loans.  We also have some more immediate day-to-day issues to resolve such as problems with the heating at the stadium as well as slightly longer term issues around player retention and wages on the assumption that the season does recommence in some shape or other but extends into May or June, as seems likely.  There are of course also regular ongoing costs associated with the stadium, including cleaning, not least while St Panteleimon continue to play and the club’s academy continues to operate.

“We remain acutely aware that without regular income from generous monthly donations, and the #GoToTown scheme in particular, the club could not survive. Thank you all once again for your generosity and public spiritedness.  On season ticket purchases specifically, we are mindful that you haven’t exactly had a great deal of football to watch for your money so far this season! Although it is uncertain when, and in what format, the season will resume and it is therefore currently difficult to offer detailed refund options now, I can assure you all that that discussion will be had in due course once things become clearer. But, for now, if any season ticket holders would like to arrange a possible refund at this time please don’t hesitate to get in touch via : chairman@etfc.london

“I’d like to reiterate that the board, on behalf of all members and supporters, will continue to act in the best interests of the club, with a primary focus on the longer term in line with the club’s vision to be an inclusive club for all and a football and social centre for the community, with a range of teams playing at the highest sustainable levels possible. 

“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the board to wish everyone connected with the club a Happy Christmas and a healthy new year – let’s all hope 2021 becomes the year of normality! Take care, everyone, and we’ll hopefully see you before too long.”

League season remains on hold…

https://www.isthmian.co.uk/isthmian-league-statement-thursday-17th-december-64785

As indicated previously the Isthmian League Board has met following the latest Government review and they have unanimously agreed to continue with the pause of the 2020/21 season.

Since the initial survey on the 2nd December the infection rate has deteriorated in the geographical footprint of their Member Clubs, which has resulted in much larger number of Isthmian League Clubs being placed in Tier 3. In reaching this decision the Board considered several factors such as the lack of income from secondary spend revenue, the reduced attendances at Tier 3 Clubs and more importantly, the duty of care the League has to Players, Club Officials, Volunteers and Supporters during this current pandemic.

The Board will continue to monitor the situation in line with the Government review dates and/or any decision that allows Government grants to become available to member Clubs. The Board has not yet set a formal re-start date but Clubs will give at least 14 days’ notice of the recommencement of the 2020/21 season allowing them preparation time to stage League matches.

It is also noted that the Southern League are taking a similar approach with their Member Clubs.

The Trident Leagues (the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues) welcome the decision to allow some fans into grounds situated in Tier 3 areas (see https://www.isthmian.co.uk/update-on-a-limited-return-of-home-spectators-for–64716) However, in light of the decision of all 224 Clubs only last week to vote overwhelmingly in favour of suspending the current season the Leagues have decided to wait to see the implications of the Government’s review of the Tier system in England due on Wednesday 16th December before making any further announcements.

With apologies to all supporters, issues with our printers today mean that there will, unfortunately, be no hard copy matchday programmes on sale at the Buildbase FA Trophy First Round match against Maldon & Tiptree.

You can stil purchase an electronic version (pdf) here: https://shop.etfc.london/product/2020-10-31-enfield-town-v-maldon-tiptree-fatrophy for £2 (50p less than the hard copy cover price!). Apologies once again.

There have been draws for both the 2nd and 3rd Rounds of the Buildbase FA Trophy, and there’s plenty of incentive.

The winners of the Enfield Town v Maldon & Tiptree tie will face Bognor Regis Town at home in Round Two on Tuesday 15th December.

The winners of the 2nd Round tie will be at home again – on Saturday 19th December against either Gloucester City or Needham Market or Leiston.

The full draws are available here: https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/dec/09/fa-trophy-second-round-third-round-draws-091220

Town midfielder Percy Kiangebeni has entered into a dual-registration arrangement with Braintree Town. Braintree’s Vanarama South match at against Welling United at Cressing Road (tonight, Tuesday 8th December) has been confirmed as a fixture which will go ahead behind closed doors. Percy’s availability for Town’s FA Trophy tie against Maldon & Tiptree at the QEII Stadium tomorrow night (Wednesday 9th) will be dependent on his involvement tonight.

There are still some tickets available for the all-ticket Buildbase FA Trophy First Round match between Enfield Town and Maldon & Tiptree on Wednesday 9th December (7.45pm) available at: https://shop.etfc.london/events

Both clubs currently lie in third place in their respective divisions (Isthmian Premier and Isthmian North) so it should be a keenly contested game. Town beat Maldon 4-3 in the same competition last season in an exciting tie. Maldon have had another great run in this season’s Emirates FA Cup, only losing to League Two Morecambe in the First Round by a solitary penalty.

With the current pause in Trident Leagues fixtures (including the Isthmian League), this game will go ahead as a one-off cup tie in a Tier 2 area, with all the associated precautions that need to be taken.

AT THE MATCH WOULD ALL SPECTATORS PLEASE MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING AT ALL TIMES AND RESPECT AND FOLLOW THE ADVICE OF STEWARDS AND TANNOY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

In a Tier 2 area, it is critical that everybody observes the following key behaviours:

• HANDS – Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.
• FACE – Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
• SPACE – Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors).

At the match, the club shop will be selling disposable masks for £1 or reusable ETFC masks for £8. Irrespective of weather forecasts, please dress prepared for all seasons as you will not be able to convene in covered areas should it rain (or indeed in any circumstances). A variety of umbrellas will be available in the shop. Please help the club as much as you possibly can so that the match can take place in as safe an environment as possible for all.

As announced previously, the club have taken a number of comprehensive precautions to make the QEII Stadium safe. See the club’s video and risk assessment material here: https://etfc.london (ie on the website home page).

All spectators need to be fully aware that attendance at the match will be entirely at their own risk. You must follow government guidelines and self-diagnose before travelling to the QEII Stadium.  If you, or any of your household, are experiencing any symptoms which may be related to Covid-19, you should not travel and you should follow NHS advice. At the QEII Stadium you agree to respect others, abide with social distancing guidelines and measures that the club have put in place, and undertake to follow all advice given by ETFC stewards, officials and via tannoy announcements. There will be signage in place, and parts of the ground will be subject to a one-way system for additional safety. Toilets will be subject to social distancing measures. Umbrellas are permitted, although you should of course bear in mind the need to avoid blocking other spectators’ view.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience whilst we adapt to constantly evolving ways of working, as the club looks to do the right thing, incrementally, with the safety of all in mind.  Please use the NHS Covid-19 app at the entrance if you have downloaded it.

Please note that there will be no internal or external bar in operation, although the London Borough of Enfield have advised that our contracted matchday caterers Food Lovers Delight can operate a take away food and (non-alcoholic) drinks service, provided there is strict adherence to Tier 2 precautions, and in particular maintaining social distancing when queuing.

Hard copy matchday programmes will be available at the club shop for £2.50 (contactless or cash payment), and #GoToTown subscribers will be able to obtain their hard or electronic copy in the usual way. For other supporters, an electronic (pdf) of the matchday programme is available for £2 at: https://shop.etfc.london/product/2020-10-31-enfield-town-v-maldon-tiptree-fatrophy

In staging this match, the club will continue to take steps to ensure that lessons are learned and applied.

PLEASE ENJOY THE GAME IN A SAFE, SOCIALLY DISTANCED MANNER!