As a result of the UK Government’s new national Covid-19 restrictions, and subject to Members of Parliament voting tomorrow [Wednesday 4 November 2020] and the publication of bespoke guidance from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport [DCMS], the impact on ‘non elite’ football in England will include the suspension of all fixtures and training for Steps 3-6 of the National League system [NLS] during this period:

The FA’s full statement can be found here: https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/nov/03/non-elite-football-statement-031120

In a repeat of last season’s pairing in the same competition (at the 3rd qualifying round stage), it’s Enfield Town v Maldon & Tiptree in the Buildbase FA Trophy First Round on a date which is not yet known.

Full draw available as a pdf via: https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/nov/02/buildbase-fa-trophy-and-fa-vase-draws-021120

National League System Leagues Steps 3 to 6

The announcement below has been issued by The FA on its media and communication channels this evening (31 October):

“We acknowledge the government announcement today regarding COVID-19 restrictions and are awaiting further information before we can confirm how this may affect non-elite football across England. We will communicate any necessary updates in due course.”

Enfield Town FC will keep supporters in touch with developments as quickly as possible. Brightlingsea tickets are still available until such time as the club hears otherwise. Cray (onwards) tickets will not be issued until such time as there is additional information available.

Former Town favourite Harold Joseph has re-signed for the Town after three years away. In his initial spell at the QEII he made 80 competitive appearances, scoring 9 goals. His other former clubs include Barnet, Stevenage, Wingate & Finchley, Hayes & Yeading United, St Albans City and Royston Town.

Andy Leese said “since he left Welling United Harold has had work commitments, but has been training with us and has made good progress so we have decided to sign him to bolster our defensive options”.

The club have also signed 25 year-old goalkeeper Dan Lincoln on a short-term arrangement as cover for Nathan McDonald, who picked up a nasty facial injury at Carshalton Athletic recently. He has had experience at clubs such as Reading, Oxford United, Bognor Regis Town and, mostly recently, Hampton & Richmond Borough. Dan is also a Middlesex cricketer.

Andy said “the severe blow that Nathan took last week is still causing him problems, although, thankfully, it has not turned out to be as serious as we initially thought it might be. Dan will be available for the next couple of games”.

Welcome to the club guys!

Match tickets for Town v Ramsgate (FA Trophy, Saturday 31st October, 3.00 pm) and v Brightlingsea (Isthmian League, Tuesday 3rd November, 7.45pm) are now available via https://shop.etfc.london/events (£11 adults, £7 concessions (65 and over, students under 21) and £1 under 16s accompanied by an adult).

Both these matches are limited capacity all-ticket games, which will take account of the experience of staging recent fixtures and of government guidelines. There are some slight adjustments to previous matches, and further adjustments may continue to be made in the light of any further Covid-19 guidance.  General season tickets are not valid for the Ramsgate match (but Gold #GoToTown subscribers can gain entry via the gate next to the turnstiles by presenting their season card or, if not collected yet, by giving their details to the steward on the gate). For the Brightlingsea league match, season ticket holders will not need to apply for a match ticket but will be able to gain entry with their numbered season card at the gate next to the turnstiles (or by giving their details if season card not yet collected).

When purchasing tickets via https://shop.etfc.london/events you may need to scroll down for a specific match. Ticket applicants will be issued with a digital quick response (QR) code e-ticket which can be swiped at the gate either on a mobile phone or on printed out paper.  Please note that when you apply an invoice will also be forwarded; this is not your ticket. If there are any issues with e-ticket delivery, please check your spam/junk folders before emailing webteam@etfc.london

For both matches there will be an opportunity to purchase a seat in the very limited accommodation in the main stand (£4). There will also be a limited opportunity to pay for, and reserve for collection at the turnstiles, a hard copy of the matchday programme (£2.50 – please note the small increase which has been made to help cover matchday costs). If you are purchasing a main stand transfer/and or a hard copy programme, please remember to have the respective QR codes with you at the match. If preferred, you will be able to buy an electronic version of the programme via https://shop.etfc.london/ in due course for £2.

In line with government guidelines, the club will be operating an outside table service only bar on a first come first served basis. Drinks must be ordered and consumed at the table and cannot be taken away. Contactless payments or cash will be accepted, and tables will be cleaned regularly.

As announced previously, the club have taken a number of comprehensive precautions to make the QEII Stadium safe, particularly with regard to social distancing.  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.

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.  Certain facilities will remain closed or be limited. 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. Spectators should come prepared for inclement weather as there will be a strict adherence to maintaining social distancing under the limited cover at the ground. Umbrellas are permitted, although you should of course bear in mind the need to avoid blocking other spectators’ view. Please use the NHS Covid-19 app at the entrance if you have downloaded it.

Following the recent departure from his “merchandise messiah” role of club stalwart Dave Hicks, the shop has a new “Arkwright” – long-term EFC and ETFC supporter Colin Peppiatt. Welcome Colin!

Upon taking up his new appointment, Colin said “My passion for Town runs back to the old club’s Southbury Road days, where I loved attending games, firstly with my dad and then with schoolfriends.”

A Town Supporters’ Society member, Colin continued “Once I found out Dave Hicks had brought down the shutters one final time, I was keen to see if I could help fill his sizeable boots. In the short term I want to make sure you can get all your Christmas gifts and winter essentials from the club shop and I will also be introducing exciting new products as soon as possible.”

There will be a profile of Colin in a forthcoming home matchday programme, along with more information about his plans for developing the shop, including online. With three home games coming up in quick succession, why not pop along to say “hello” to Colin, and talk to him about ETFC gifts and souvenirs – there’s a wide range to choose from, including shirts, scarves, hats, gloves, mugs, keyrings and even rubber ducks!

ALL TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT DO NOT TRAVEL WITHOUT A TICKET

Adults £11, Seniors (over 65) £8, Children (under 18) £3

Carshalton Athletic’s welcome to travelling fans online page can be found here https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/fans

and the club’s covid-19 precautions documentation can be found here https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/covid19riskassessment and here https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/covid19-ground-rules

The club have advised that there will be no tickets available on the day

Any further information from Carshalton will appear here as soon as it is received.

Calling all Town supporters!

Please consider signing up for the #GoToTown subscription scheme, to help the club by adding to our regular income streams, especially during these exceptionally challenging times.

The #GoToTown scheme, which has been running over the past couple of seasons, is designed to allow Town fans to support the club via a monthly subscription, while being able to enjoy significant benefits. The scheme allows supporters to pay for Society Membership and Season Tickets on a monthly basis, and to have access to videos of matches and interviews, matchday programmes and other goodies.  You can see the various packages on offer at https://gototown.etfc.london/gototown-packages There are already a healthy number of subscribers who are really making a difference to the month-by-month sustainability of the club with restricted sponsorship and match revenues at the current time.

Please do consider joining as the club seeks to explore every possible aspect of ensuring that its operational costs are fully supported. Although the scheme refreshes at the start of each season, your direct debit arrangement will roll over to the following season unless cancelled.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to make a one-off donation, our bank details are: ETFC Ltd, Barclays Bank, Sort Code 20-45-45, Account Number 43222942. Please mark any BACS transfer with your name and the word ‘donation’. 

Many, many thanks to all the fantastic people who have already supported the club financially!

Town have been drawn at home against Isthmian South East Division Ramsgate in the 3rd qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Trophy on Saturday 31st October.

The Rams are currently lying in 16th position, with 3 points from 4 games. On Saturday they were awarded the tie when Canvey Island withdrew from the competition at the 2nd qualifiying round stage due to covid complications. The previous Saturday they lost 1-2 at home to Three Bridges. Announcements about entry to the match will be made in due course.

Following the departure of coach Steve Wales due to work and family demands, Andy Leese has wasted no time in appointing Jon Meakes to join the management team.  Andy said “Jon and I worked together at Cheshunt, Potters Bar Town and Chesham United over a period of 17 years. Jon left Chesham in 2018 and has helped us with scouting duties over the last twelve months or so. He brings a wealth of knowledge and will work with me and Maz as we look to build on our decent 2020-21 start. We are delighted to get Jon in and, on a personal level, I am looking forward to us working together again”.

Meanwhile, Jake Murphy has replaced Ed Thompson as goalkeeping coach, following Ed stepping down from the role due to personal commitments.

Welcome both!