A further statement has been issued by the Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Football Leagues in relation to the voting following meetings held by the 3 Trident Leagues with their Member Clubs to discuss the impact of the raising of the lockdown on 2nd December.

The full statement can be found here: https://www.isthmian.co.uk/trident-leagues-statement-4th-december-2020-contin-64648

In summary, there will be no league fixtures until such time as progress is achieved at review points on 16 December and 30 December. Enfield Town supporters will be updated as soon as any additional information becomes available.

The Pitching In Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern Leagues have released a joint statement, with further information to follow:

The Clubs in membership of the Northern Premier, Southern and Isthmian Leagues (the Trident Leagues) met earlier this week to consider the challenges and issues brought about by the reintroduction of Tiers after the raising of the nationwide lockdown with effect from yesterday.

The clubs were asked to vote on a proposition that the pause in fixtures be continued with a regular review in light of changes to the Tiers and/or grants becoming available. The total votes cast by the 224 Clubs show a substantial number of Clubs in agreement with the proposition. The matter has been considered today by all concerned and a further statement will be issued in due course.

https://www.isthmian.co.uk/trident-leagues-statement-covid-and-the-restart-64633

The Club’s board met last night and had a detailed discussion about the resumption of matches at Steps 3 and 4 level, including those of Enfield Town FC.  The previous evening, Isthmian League clubs had met with league officials, and the meeting concluded with a proposal for the Trident Leagues (ie Isthmian, Northern Premier and Southern) to consider together, and vote upon, in favour of or against:

“That Steps 3 and 4 continue the current pause in the season with a regular review in the light of changes to the current tiers and/or grants becoming available” 

The Enfield Town board has voted in favour of this proposal.  It discussed at length a number of factors.  The overriding themes of the discussion were health, finance and the longer term benefits for the club, the Isthmian League and the Trident Leagues.  It was not an easy decision to make and, of course, we have no idea of the outcome of the overall voting on the proposal, which I understand will be announced before the end of this week.

I felt it important to let Enfield Town FC Supporters Society members and other supporters know which way the club had decided to vote.  The board were acutely aware that, as a member-owned club, it had a duty to take account of a variety of opinions on behalf of all members and supporters, and it came to a conclusion which had its primary focus on the longer term. 

I understand that a number of supporters will be disappointed with this vote which, as I say, is not the definitive way forward – that will become known sooner rather than later.  There were risks to be considered with both adopting this proposal or rejecting it (and thus paving the way for the league season to continue from 12th December).  But we had to come to a decision and I wanted you all to be aware of it openly before the outcome of the overall vote is known. If the proposal is adopted, I understand that it is likely that a series of review points will be triggered and that the current intention is that these review points could lead to a league resumption for clubs at Steps 3 and 4 in January 2021.

Separately, in a competition in which we were not offered a similar choice, the club will be continuing its participation in the Buildbase FA Trophy, and our next match in that competition – for which tickets are now on sale – will be at home to Maldon & Tiptree in the first round proper on Wednesday 9th December (7.45pm).

We have learned many lessons about staging matches this season, with Covid-19 precautions uppermost in our minds, and we will continue to take those precautions although the final decision on whether or not to attend this match (or indeed subsequent rounds if we are successful and are drawn at home again) rests with spectators themselves. 

The board will continue to update members and supporters as necessary as we continue to negotiate this most difficult of seasons. The ETFC Supporters Society Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday 21st January (7.30pm, almost certainly via Zoom link) during which members can discuss these, and other, issues in an open forum. 

Paul Reed

Chairman

Match tickets for Town v Maldon & Tiptree (Buildbase FA Trophy, Wednesday 9th December 7.45pm)

Discussions are still ongoing about the resumption of league matches at Step 3 level, but our Buildbase FA Trophy first round match at home to Maldon & Tiptree on Wednesday 9th December, 7.45pm kick-off, is scheduled to go ahead as a limited capacity all-ticket match, taking account of the experience of staging recent matches and of government guidelines. There are some 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 this 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.

Tickets can be purchased via https://shop.etfc.london/events.

Adults: £11.00
Concessions: £7.00
Under-21s: £7.00
Under-16’s: £1.00

Ticket applicants will be issued with a digital quick response (QR) code e-ticket which can be swiped at the gate on a mobile phone or be printed out for entry.  Please note that 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

There will be an opportunity to purchase a seat in the very limited accommodation in the main stand (an additional £4). Now that club shop arrangements are up and running, hard copy matchday programmes will be available on the day (£2.50 cash or contactless payment at the club shop), ie not reserved in advance. E-copies (£2) will be available in advance of the match at https://shop.etfc.london/product-category/match-day-programme

In line with government guidelines, the club is highly unlikely to be operating a bar service.  FA rules stipulate that alcohol cannot be brought into the stadium.  Any further changes for this match will be notified as soon as possible.

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.

It has been confirmed that Ryan Blackman and Lyle Della-Verde have signed deals at Welling United following the recently announced dual registration arrangement with them.

Town Chairman Paul Reed said “It’s no surprise that Lyle and Ryan have excelled at Step 2 – they are both very fine players as we have seen from their performances in a Town shirt throughout their time with us. We always knew there would be a risk of us losing one or both players once they had dual-registered and we wish them every success in the future.

“Without contracts for most of our players, we were unable to do anything to prevent Ryan and Lyle dual-registering with Welling. We tried to work with the spirit of the dual registration arrangement rather than fighting it and possibly either or both players asking to deregister with us. We of course understood the impact of the lack of football income on both players’ own personal circumstances and wanted to be sympathetic to their desire to earn some income during these tough times.

“My day job is in the world of recruitment and it’s hard not to equate that with this current situation. If the vast majority of us were offered more money or a perceived bigger role with a different organisation then which of us wouldn’t take that opportunity? Us supporters will always have unflinching loyalty to our club, whereas players are understandably much more likely to see their time with us as part of a wider career for themselves.

“Where I do feel let down, though, is with Welling and their communication around all this. The management team there were very proactive when they wanted to approach the players and looked to fully utilise their contacts at our club to expedite the moves. However, this proactivity has been noticeably absent throughout the past week or so, with the only news of the departures coming from the players themselves. Nothing surprises me in football, however, and we can only maintain our own standards as a club and continue to act as professionally and as decently as possible whilst keeping the club’s best interests at the heart of all we do.”

Away from player news, Paul has also given an update on the restart of games at our level: “There is still a lot of uncertainty around if and when our league season will recommence, not least as the new tier systems make it impossible for some clubs in our league to host spectators and for the rest of us to benefit from secondary income through bar takings etc. The Isthmian League have called a meeting of all member clubs on Tuesday evening in an attempt to gain a consensus with which to move forward. The league will then, in turn, work with the other Trident leagues to come up with an aligned approach across Steps 3 and 4. There are a huge raft of factors to consider across the country and I’m sure there will be plenty of debate to come. We will of course keep you updated.

“Whilst the league campaign remains somewhat in limbo, I think it is clear that we will be expected to play our Buildbase FA Trophy match against Maldon & Tiptree on Wednesday 9th December. Further details and ticket information will be released as soon as possible.”

With this match approaching, manager Andy Leese has confirmed that there will be a behind-closed-doors friendly at Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday 5^th December.

The Football Association have issued a brief statement (addressing the post-Lockdown 2 period): “We note the Government’s further update today (Thursday 26 November) on the three tiered system and continue our ongoing dialogue with Government to clarify the details and next steps, including travel between tiers. We will publish detailed guidance once we’ve clarified these details.”

In the meantime, the Pitching In Isthmian League have published a revised schedule of Premier Division matches for the remainder of the season. Town’s provisional list is reproduced below (as well as being available at https://etfc.london/calendar/matches-2020-21 ), starting with the visit of Maldon & Tiptree in the First Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy on Wednesday 9th December. The provisional dates for the 2nd and 3rd Rounds of this season’s competition are Tuesday 15th December and Saturday 19th December respectively.

Town supporters will continue to be updated through the website and social media as soon as any additional information becomes available.

Wed 9 Dec	H	Maldon & Tiptree	FA Trophy 1	7.45pm
Sat 12 Dec	H	East Thurrock United	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 19 Dec	A	Wingate & Finchley	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 26 Dec	A	Haringey Borough	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Mon 28 Dec	H	Potters Bar Town	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 2 Jan	A	Bowers & Pitsea	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 9 Jan	H	Horsham	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Tue 12 Jan	A	Cheshunt	Isthmian Premier	7.45pm
Sat 16 Jan	H	Carshalton Athletic	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Tue 19 Jan	A	Hornchurch	Isthmian Premier	7.45pm
Sat 23 Jan	A	Brightlingsea Regent	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Tue 26 Jan	H	Bognor Regis Town	Isthmian Premier	7.45pm
Sat 30 Jan	H	Cheshunt	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 6 Feb	A	Cray Wanderers	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Tue 9 Feb	A	Folkestone Invicta	Isthmian Premier	7.45pm
Sat 13 Feb	H	Hornchurch	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 20 Feb	A	Bognor Regis Town	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 27 Feb	A	Lewes	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Tue 2 Mar	H	Bishop’s Stortford	Isthmian Premier	7.45pm
Sat 6 Mar	H	Merstham	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 13 Mar	A	Kingstonian	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 20 Mar	H	Folkestone Invicta	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 27 Mar	A	Worthing	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 3 Apr	A	Margate	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Mon 5 Apr	H	Haringey Borough	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 10 Apr	A	Leatherhead	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 17 Apr	H	Corinthian-Casuals	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 24 Apr	A	East Thurrock United	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 1 May	H	Wingate & Finchley	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Mon 3 May	A	Potters Bar Town	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 8 May	H	Cray Wanderers	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 15 May	H	Worthing	Isthmian Premier	3pm
Sat 22 May	H	Bowers & Pitsea	Isthmian Premier	3pm

Following the government’s announcement about the reopening of grassroots sport from 2nd December (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/culture-secretary-announces-return-of-fans-to-elite-sports-events-and-reopening-of-grassroots-sport-from-2-december ) and the FA’s response (https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/nov/23/statement-on-grassroots-football-post-lockdown-231120 ) the club can now confirm that its next two first team fixtures post-lockdown2 will be at home to Maldon & Tiptree in the Buildbase FA Trophy First Round on Wednesday 9th December (7.45pm) and to East Thurrock United in the Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division on Saturday 12th December (3.00 pm).

The next steps in terms of preparation for these two fixtures, and for those beyond, will be very much dependent on the anticipated government announcement about the strengthened tier system, and its geographical impact, after the lockdown ends.

26TH NOVEMBER UPDATE: GREATER LONDON BOROUGHS HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS TIER 2 AREAS FROM 2ND DECEMBER, SO IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPECTATORS WILL BE PERMITTED AT GROUNDS IN THOSE AREAS.

Supporters will be updated when further information is available.

A provisional new date for Enfield Town v Maldon & Tiptree in the First Round of the FA Trophy is Tuesday 8 December (7.45pm). SINCE REVISED TO WEDNESDAY 9TH DECEMBER (7.45PM).

This is subject to a number of interim discussions and agreements, including whether or not the national lockdown is extended beyond 2nd December. The club will update supporters as soon as it is able to do so.

Further information on the lifting of the suspension of the competition is available on the FA website: https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/nov/20/buildbase-fa-trophy-and-vase-updated-round-dates-201120

The Enfield Town FC Supporters Society 2021 Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday 21st January at 7.30pm via Zoom link. Members have been sent an agenda and background material direct via e-mail.

The provisional agenda is:

1) To receive the minutes of the AGM held on 23 January 2020

2) To receive a report from Paul Reed, Chairman, and members of the Board on current issues – including whether the season should be terminated – and a review of the Club’s progress against its business plan.

3) To receive the Accounts of the Society and ETFC Ltd for the year ended 30 June 2020

4) To receive a report on the work of the ETFC Academy – Billy Highton

5) To receive a report on the work of the Sports Development Company (Enfield Town FC Community Sports Development Ltd) – Paul Millington

6) Manager’s Report – There will be an opportunity to discuss playing matters with Andy Leese in a question and answer session.

A record of the meeting will be available in due course after the event for members who are unable to attend.

The Pitching In Isthmian League have issued a brief statement which summarises some of the outcomes of a meeting held earlier today. The headline item is that – subject to government approval in due course – Isthmian football is provisionally scheduled to restart on Saturday 19th December, provided spectators are allowed to attend. The club will issue additional updates online as they become available.

The brief statement appears on the Isthmian League website:

https://www.isthmian.co.uk/an-early-christmas-present-64497