The club has published its Covid risk assessment documentation, in line with DCMS, FA and Isthmian League guidance. You can find the documentation [HERE]

This risk assessment is a living document, which will be subject to regular review. It will be referred to regularly as the club takes steps to open its gates for spectators in an incremental way.

The club will be developing a Covid/ETFC frequently asked questions page in due course. In the meantime, any questions should be addressed via the Ask The Board facility at https://etfc.london/information/ask-the-board.

An article on the initial proposals for the potential opening of gates, with a strictly limited capacity, for the Enfield Town v Chesham United friendly on 8th September was issued on 21st August – including a form to express an interest in essential stewarding, which can be found at https://etfc.london/possible-spectator-admission-trial-for-chesham-unied-home-friendly-tuesday-8th-september. Please help if you can!

Possible spectator admission trial for Chesham United home friendly on Tuesday 8^th September (7.45pm)

Earlier this week the government confirmed that non-league clubs at Step 3 and below could now consider opening their gates to supporters, and have amended their guidance to allow for the gradual return of spectators at matches involving clubs at Steps 3 and below in the pyramid.  This was followed by the FA and the Isthmian League issuing their own, more specific, revised guidelines for the phased and limited return of spectators.

Taking account of all available guidance in relation to Covid-19, the Enfield Town Board has since been working on viable options for enabling a phased reopening of the QEII Stadium, subject to comprehensive risk assessments being completed, including adequate track and trace arrangements.

Although many will welcome the return of spectators at the earliest opportunity, clubs at our level are permitted to work within a timeframe to ensure that risk identification and management is completed, and that necessary associated precautions and procedures are firmly in place.  Each ground – in our case the QEII Stadium – will be subject to its own unique set of circumstances.

The Board has decided that it would be feasible to allow a fixed number of spectators, with very limited facilities, into the QEII Stadium to watch the scheduled home friendly against Chesham United on 8^th September on a trial basis.  The number of spectators allowed in would need to be restricted to 100.  Specific on-the-day facility and other limitations will be issued nearer the time.

There are, however, a number of significant hurdles to negotiate before this theoretical opening can become reality:

1. There will need to be 20 stewards in place for this game.  The club are, therefore, appealing to supporters to put their names forward – via a form at https://etfc.london/expressing-an-interest-to-be-an-etfc-steward by 24^th August if at all possible – in order to help the club stage this pilot open-to-the-public match.  Without sufficient stewarding, the match cannot take place.  Role allocations and training will be given in advance.

• The match will be all ticket.  The phasing of application for tickets will be as follows:

1. #GoToTown subscribers (where the package includes a season ticket)
2. ETFC Supporters Society members
3. Non-member season ticket holders

There will be no other phased ticket categories permissible for this game. All tickets will cost £6, except that one accompanied child can be admitted, with a ticket holder, for £1 upon request.  Accompanied children will need to be supervised. There will be a very limited number of away supporters, who will be ticketed separately, allowed in.  Tickets will be available online only, and applicants will be issued with a digital (quick response code) e-ticket which can be swiped at the gate on a mobile phone or be printed out for entry.  Details to follow.

• The club will need to comply with all Covid-19 guidance, and in particular in relation to social distancing and any local restrictions that may be introduced. But all spectators nevertheless need to be fully aware that attendance at the match is entirely at their own risk. You must follow government guidelines and self-diagnose before travelling to the Stadium. If you are experiencing any symptoms which may be related to Covid-19, you should not travel and should follow NHS advice. At the Stadium you agree to respect others, abide with social distancing guidelines, and follow all advice given by ETFC stewards.  This will be a vital part of the trial as the club considers further easing of numbers for future matches.

• The matchday experience at the QEII Stadium will not be as our supporters will remember!  Please take on board all advice before, during and after the match – assuming it goes ahead – as the club looks to do the right thing, incrementally, with the safety of all in mind.  For this pilot event it is likely that the main stand will be closed, while the smaller north stand will have limited, socially distanced, seating available.  Further announcements about changes to the way we will operate initially will be made in due course, but please bear with us as we develop our procedures in the light of experience!

• The lessons learned from the staging of the Chesham match, hopefully with spectators, will be applied for future matches. Currently these are scheduled to be a home friendly against Welling United on 12^th September and any confirmed competitive matches thereafter. Feedback will be made available to supporters as soon as is practicable. The signs are positive, but supporters should be ready for subsequent steps to be impacted.

Between now and our own trial, other clubs may make specific arrangements for entry to matches. If that is the case for any Town away games, the ETFC website and social media will refer to the specific arrangements that have been put in place as soon as possible.

The club need your help to make this happen!

ETFC Board

We have been informed by Grays Athletic that there will be 30 first-come-first served tickets for away supporters available for the friendly match at Parkside, Aveley tomorrow (Saturday 22nd).

The tickets will cost £5 for adults and £1 for children aged 16 and under.

In order to register for an away ticket, Town supporters should email webteam@etfc.london as soon as possible, with ‘GRAYS TICKET APPLICATION’ in the message subject field.  It may not be possible to accommodate all applications, which will be strictly monitored and limited to one ticket per personal application only.  Please make sure you include your name and which price band you are applying for.

If you are successful in terms of being one of the first thirty applications, you will be notified and you will then be asked to report to Match Secretary John Dolan outside the main turnstiles on the day to collect your ticket and pay for it in cash (only) at the turnstile.

Please note that there is an earlier match on at the stadium which is due to finish by 2.15pm and entrance to the ground will not be permitted before this. John will be available from 2.15 onwards. We have been told that the tea bar will be open for refreshments, and supporters attending have been asked to be patient, and take directions from stewards.

Town supporters who attend the match will do so at their own risk.

Following this announcement, please note there will be a separate, wider announcement about the way Enfield Town FC proposes to run a trial match as part of an incremental way of allowing spectators back into matches at the QEII Stadium.

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Further background information on tomorrow’s friendly at Parkside from the Grays Athletic website:

“As most supporters are aware following the government announcement on Tuesday night and the FA guidance issued yesterday, the gradual return of spectators to non-league football at step 3 and below has commenced. This means that our supporters will have their first opportunity to watch The Blues since March.

“The maximum attendance that we are allowed to have at this stage of the return is 200 and the club has to hold a successful fixture under these rules to enable us to move to stage 2 for our friendlies, league and cup games in September.

“Therefore, we have to monitor spectator numbers very closely at these two friendlies to ensure that the club do not breach any rules and just as importantly we need to adhere to all aspects of the risk assessment plan that has been put together by ourselves in consultation with Aveley FC”.

Enfield Town FC is fully committed to the Football Supporters’ Association’s Sustain The Game campaign, which has launched today with the backing of fans’ groups from across the country as well as senior politicians and football pundits such as Jamie Carragher. The campaign highlights the urgent need for action to secure the very existence of many clubs, particularly in the current climate.

Sustain The Game principles:

1. Protect our clubs – football clubs are community assets and an important expression of individual and local identity, they deserve legal protection and urgent support to secure their future;
2. Transparency – everyone has a right to know who owns their club, and how clubs and the authorities operate. Owners are custodians of clubs on behalf of all of us;
3. Financial controls – fans want rules with real teeth which are independently enforced, clubs and leagues can’t be left to regulate themselves;
4. Strengthen the pyramid – football as a whole is wealthy, but we need a smarter and fairer use of the money in the game to encourage sustainability; and
5. Supporter engagement – fans are the lifeblood of the game, they need a voice in their clubs and on all issues that affect them and their communities.

You can read more about the FSA’s campaign here: https://thefsa.org.uk/news/fan-groups-politicians-and-pundits-call-for-urgent-action-to-protect-the-very-existence-of-clubs/

Town’s long serving Merchandise Messiah Dave Hicks will be relinquishing his role as club shop proprietor after over thirty years’ service with Town and, previously, Enfield FC.

Dave said “It’s with a heavy heart that I have decided that, primarily due to the pressure of other commitments, I will be moving away from the running of the club shop.  It’s been great keeping supporters up to speed with all our latest souvenirs and other products for so long, and I’ll still of course be around the place to keep up the friendships that have been developed over the decades. Thanks one and all for your loyal and devoted custom!”

Chairman Paul Reed said “on behalf of everyone at the club I’d like to thank Dave for all the countless hours of hard work he’s put in, literally from day one at Brimsdown in 2001.  He will be an incredibly hard act to follow.  Many, many thanks Dave!”

Not least as Dave’s helpers Pat and Sheila are also standing down, the club are seeking expressions of interest in running the shop. If you can help, please get in touch via webteam@etfc.london with your details and a brief note on what you could bring to the role and how you would approach it.

The broad range of duties includes:
*  stock management;
*  matchday shop sales;
*  liaison with supporters on demand for, and design of specific products*  supplier liaison;
*  handling online orders; and
*  financial management.

A flexible and personable approach is required, on matchdays in particular when the shop is always very busy and requests can be very varied!  This is a pivotal voluntary role within the club, and the revenue generated from sales is crucial in the battle to balance the books each year. Dave will be available to help with successor arrangements.

Please help if you can! webteam@etfc.london

Are you a user of LinkedIn? 

LinkedIn is a free business and employment-oriented online service that operates via websites and mobile apps. 

The Club has recently updated its LinkedIn home page and will over the coming weeks and months further update the page with regular postings. 

Most of the postings you may have already seen on the website but, through LinkedIn, by your liking or sharing of the posts with your network, it will help towards the primary objective of increasing the Club’s profile for a much wider audience. 

Another key objective of our posts will be seeking to attract more advertisers and sponsors and increase vital revenue from which the club will benefit. 

We will also be promoting our fixtures in an attempt to entice new supporters who we hope will want to return once they have sampled the matchday experience at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium.  

We are aware that, through just a handful of existing supporters using LinkedIn, shared postings can reach many thousands of potential contacts.

ETFC LinkedIn page followers have increased slightly in recent weeks and you can help increase our reach still further.  There is a LinkedIn icon on the top left hand corner of the home page of the Club website.

Your support would be greatly welcomed!

Billy, Marc, Lewis, Nathan and Ryan sign for 2020-21!

Five of last season’s Town squad put pen to paper yesterday, as manager Andy Leese’s plans in these unprecedented times continue to take shape.  Billy Bricknell (pictured with Chairman Paul Reed) and Marc Weatherstone signed one-year contracts while Lewis Taaffe, Nathan McDonald and Ryan Blackman all signed league forms.

Andy said “I’m delighted, particularly in the unique circumstances we are all in with the resumption of competitive football still a little way off, that the spine of the squad is coming together, and I am confident of additional players signing within the next week or so.  I am in constant dialogue with a number of potential recruits and, as well as more familiar names from last year, I am sure there will be some new, exciting names to announce in due course.

“We have used the first couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies as a chance to look at a wide spread of possibilities, as is always the case at this time of year.  From the third game onwards, against Chelmsford City, it is likely that there will be some more settled line-ups, substitutions etc as the management team look at individuals and permutations with a view to paring down to the squad we would like to put in place for the competitive resumption, whenever that may be.

“I’m delighted that Billy, Marc, Lewis, Nathan and Ryan have shown a commitment to stay with the club during a time when we are all hoping for a resumption in September but at the same time knowing that that sort of timeframe is far from certain.  In the meantime, as I mentioned in an earlier update, we have an extended number of friendlies to keep the guys match fit so that we are ready whenever we need to be.

“I have been pleased overall with the initial couple of games, which have been very much with enhanced fitness in mind as well as the chance to look at players who have shown an interest in the club. They have very much been a stepping-stone between our midweek training sessions and the additional strength and sharpness that only comes with playing matches.

“This year there is more time than usual to plan for the season ahead and, with a number of players returning from holidays and other commitments, we will not be rushing to assemble a squad until we are certain we have the best fit available – not least with budgets being tighter than ever in the wake of the pandemic.  Scott Thomas and Lyle Della-Verde were able to take part in the friendly against Brentwood Town – which was a good workout – and Jon Muleba should be available soon following work commitments.  As I’ve said before, on the injury recovery front Lewis Taaffe has made very good progress, while James Potton – recovering well after such a serious injury – is still undergoing rehab and is probably more likely to re-enter the fray around October time.

“I must admit, although the closed-doors and other precautions regime is something we are all still getting used to, the spread of pre-season games has probably made it a slightly less breathless exercise than usual assembling a squad for the new campaign.  I am grateful to supporters for their patience as ever at this time of year and very much hope that we can all see each other at matches in the not too distant future.

“I can confirm a new appointment at the club – that of Head of Football Operations.  Graham Dodd, who was part of the Under 23s management team last season, is taking up this role for 2020-21.  Graham and I go back a long way – we worked together at Broxbourne for a time – and he will be an invaluable asset going forward. With no U23s for the time being at least, Graham will be the focal point for linking the Under 18 teams, including the new academy, that we will be running this year, as well as being a conduit between the various managers.  He will work very closely with the management team to ensure that communication lines are optimised and so that we can preserve the pathway between youth and senior football. Graham will also do some scouting as part of his role.  I’m delighted Graham is on board; he is a very knowledgeable football man.

“In rather less-than-good news, our excellent goalkeeping coach Ed Thompson is moving on for personal and work related reasons.  Ed’s departure will be a big miss as he has been an integral part of the management team and is second to none as an innovative goalkeeping coach, following his successful time as a player.  Ed knows he is always welcome back at the club and it goes without saying that I am very grateful for all the great work he has done during his spell with us.  In the meantime, we are looking to replace him as soon as possible but he will be a difficult act to follow!  In the meantime, Alfie Bonfield, son of former Town keeper Darren will be working in tandem with Nathan so that they can keep each other on their toes.”

Following this on-field news, there are plans to issue an off-field update within the next couple of weeks, including the possibility of a further zoom link meeting for members.  Please watch this space!

In these strangest of times, Enfield Town are taking tentative steps this week towards a competitive 2020-21 season start with a friendly against QEII Stadium tenants St Panteleimon FC this Saturday (2pm).  Please note that spectators are not permitted at this match and there will be no gatherings at the stadium allowed.  There will be no programmes for home friendlies, but a team sheet should be available on social media, and a summary of each match will be made available on the website.

St Panteleimon were formed in 2015, initially competing in the KOPA League for two seasons before joining the Middlesex League. After winning Division One at the first attempt unbeaten, 2018-19 brought further success with the Saints claiming a Premier Division league and cup double and reaching the first round of the FA Vase. Last season the club were lying second in Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League before the pandemic suspension.

Town manager Andy Leese gave his thoughts earlier this week: “We’ve now had a handful of training sessions led by Mario – with all the necessary covid precautions, including temperature taking, track and trace procedures, coaching from distance, masks in evidence, and ball cleaning etc – and overall we are delighted with the shape the players are in.

“I must pay thanks the two Johns – Abbott and Dolan – for enabling us to operate in the safest possible environment during this uncertain period when the “dos” and “don’ts” of pandemic recovery guidance can change at very short notice.  As Mr Chairman mentioned in his latest update, we are working towards a potential league start of 19^th September, although the government’s postponement of a selection of designated sporting events to pilot the safe return of supporters, due to start on 1^st August, might have made this date less likely. 

“The FA have this week announced that the FA Cup will start on 1^st September and, with our own first qualifying round entry scheduled for Tuesday 22^nd September – maybe behind closed doors – it looks increasingly possible that that may be our first competitive game.  But we are assuming nothing and I’m sure there will be amendments to the various authorities’ guidance to take account of as we move forward towards the resumption that we’d all dearly like to see.

“I can confirm that the core of last season’s squad has returned for training and, as I say, it looks as though the enforced break has given various niggling injuries a chance to recover and the boys are all looking good.  The players have generally kept themselves very fit during lockdown and beyond and that is to their great credit.

“You will no doubt have read elsewhere that Ken Charles, Joe Payne and Glen Wilson have moved on for various reasons; close-season movements of course being part and parcel of football at this level.  I am also aware that, as always at this time each year, there is a keenness to know who has joined the club – particularly when other clubs  are making announcements.  As  I said this time last year (and probably the year before!), we have to be sure we are recruiting as wisely as possible, working within our tight playing budget and making sure that we are in the best shape to start the new season, whenever that may be.

“We will be looking at some trialists in the St Panteleimon game and beyond, and we have had discussions with a number of players we would like to add with a view to improving the squad in various positions for what promises to be a very challenging campaign with so many unknowns.  It will no doubt disappoint some supporters that I cannot yet name names, but I can assure all Town fans that I am confident of landing some very good players who will improve us. Most have played at a higher level and, as soon as pre-season progresses and I feel that the time is right to make announcements then rest assured I will do.   

“It’s been very pleasing to see the boys again after their enforced absence – including James Potton and Lewis Taaffe raring to go following injury.  James has made a remarkable recovery supported by John Abbott and I hope we can see him playing before the end of the year.  One or two of the boys have had work commitments, which is understandable given the circumstances, but there has otherwise been a decent turn-out for each session. The boys have returned looking trim and with real desire to get playing again. I am concerned that this pre-season will be longer than any other I have experienced in over twenty years of management and that a competitive start as soon as possible is vital.  We need to manage the next few weeks carefully and if we need to change our planning we will do so and make the best of it. We will try to play more games than usual in pre- season as playing is what the players have missed the most with the break.

“All clubs, particularly at our level, will be operating within similar resource and budget restrictions. It is to everyone’s credit off the field that we have stayed afloat during closure and I’d like to finish by thanking everyone involved in that hard work. I will  update you on incoming players as the squad takes shape as soon as I can”.

We today welcome a joint Declaration from the UK football family signifying its support for building a mentally healthy environment at every level of the game, as a lasting legacy of the Heads Up campaign.

The Mentally Healthy Football Declaration will see all of UK football recognising that mental health is as important as physical health, and pioneering a ‘team approach’ on this important issue. The UK football family will build on the important work that clubs and football organisations are already doing, working together to roll out these efforts across the football system, share best practice, and support the development of ‘mentally healthy clubs’ at every level of the game.

The landmark Declaration has been signed by senior figures from across the football system, including the FA, the Premier League, the English Football League (EFL), Scottish FA, Wales FA, Irish FA, League Managers Association (LMA), Professional Footballers Association (PFA), Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and League Football Education (LFE).

Following an unprecedented season for football, mental health issues are more relevant than ever.   Through the Declaration, football has committed to working together to embed an environment across all of UK football:

• Where players and staff are encouraged to look after their mental health just as they look after their physical health;
• where they feel able to spot the signs that they, a team-mate or colleague might be struggling and know where to access support;
• and where speaking out about mental health is seen as a sign of strength rather than weakness.

The Declaration will see us form a UK-wide mental health implementation group next season, working towards a collective ‘game plan’ for the first time to ensure the mental health of players, staff, managers, coaches and officials is prioritised across the game.

The Declaration has also been welcomed by Heads Up’s charity partners Mind, CALM and Sporting Chance, who will work with us all next season to take the Declaration forward.

You can find out more about the Heads Up campaign by visiting www.headstogether.org.uk/heads-up

Hi everyone,

It’s been a few weeks since you all had an update on what’s been happening at the club, so I thought I’d give you a flavour of some of the current issues. 

Firstly, many thanks to all of you who so kindly donated to our recent floodlight improvement and other groundworks appeal.  The final tally was £11,830 raised and, taking additional account of one or two very welcome donations from other sources, the Board will now be focusing on how to invest the money as efficiently and as effectively as possible, and we will outline our priority spending decisions (beyond the pre-planned floodlights work) in due course. In respect of the floodlights we are working with suppliers on a couple of options at the moment, the favourite currently being an additional light on each pylon and an upgrade of existing bulbs and reflectors. I appreciate times are hard for lots of us currently so to have over 200 individuals donate is absolutely fantastic and shows the extend of our wonderful support. 

Many of you will have seen the government’s recent announcement that a number of pilot sporting events take place over the next few weeks with a view to the reopening of sports venues, with social distancing measures in place, from October 2020.  The full statement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pilots-announced-for-return-of-spectators-to-elite-sports-events . The club has been undertaking an assessment of the risks associated with a return to football at the QEII Stadium, taking account of the FA’s guidelines on the return of outdoor competitive grassroots football (see http://www.thefa.com/news/2020/jul/17/grassroots-guidance-for-competitive-football-restart-in-england-170720 ).

Although the guidance suggests supporters will not be back in stadiums until October, the Isthmian League has a proposed provisional start date of 19^th September so we must plan for that date until we hear otherwise. Dialogue will also continue with the Isthmian League on the next steps, the league have been very clear that we will not commence until supporters are allowed back in to stadiums and I’m sure fixtures will not be announced until we have this clarity. We will continue to update you as and when we have more details.

In connection with a potential restart, the results of a survey that the Football Supporters Association and Non-League Paper had undertaken were announced at the weekend (see https://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/features/vanarama/31126/the-non-league-paper-is-out-as-thousands-have-their-say-on-restart/ ), and 77.2% of those surveyed said that they would return from the first game back with a hypothetical October start date. A further 18% expect to be back within three months, while 4.8% said it would take more than six months for them to return, or that they possibly wouldn’t return at all.  All of this is encouraging news, but there is, of course, a long way to go and a lot of work behind the scenes to be completed before the club can make any sort of definitive announcements.

The first team squad are due to begin training on Saturday and a number of key precautions are in place to ensure government guidelines are adhered to, including appropriate social distancing and track and trace protocols. As ever at this time of year, there will be some squad comings and goings – the departure of striker Ken Charles has already been announced and Glenn Wilson will also be leaving to play closer to his home in Sussex.

Having spoken to Andy, I am confident there will be plenty of good news to report at the right time as the 2020-21 squad takes shape, and he will be aiming to bring you all up to date within the next week or two. We will, like many clubs, be operating with a smaller budget but I’m sure we can deliver a side to challenge at the right end of the table again.  It is planned to arrange a number of friendly matches behind closed doors in advance of any competitive resumption and match secretary John Dolan is working with the management team to secure a set of fixtures that set us up in the right way to start the season in the best possible shape.

You may have seen that we have decided not to field an Under 23 side during 2020-21. This decision was not taken lightly, and it followed careful consideration around important issues such as pitch use, associated finances and the strong likelihood of a much shorter season with fewer midweek date options available. I can reassure you all that the club is still very much committed to the development of young talent, and this has been demonstrated by our Academy being established this summer. Once our scholars move into their second year in 2021-22, we will review our set-up again in order to best provide optimum pathways into senior football.

In other news the Board (who have been meeting fortnightly during the lockdown), having worked within the constraints of a mothball budget for a number of months, have now approved a provisional budget for 2020-21, have approved a new-look website (through which you may be reading this message!) and are looking at ways in which it can help foster an improved environment to encourage greater diversity and inclusion around the club.

Finally, there is scheduled to be a drive-in cinema event on Enfield Playing Fields next month (the club are working with the council on this) – see https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Enfield/Enfield-Playing-Fields/Drive-in-Cinema/13802936/ for details; you can order non-medical Town facemasks via https://www.theamyverse.com/etfc ; and you can help Enfield Town FC Community Sports Development Ltd in resuming its work in encouraging sporting activity for all in the borough once it is safe to do by signing up to Amazon Smile.  The same products, prices and services as the Amazon you know, with 0.5% of the net costs of your order donated by Amazon to help with charitable work. Details of how to set up an account or amend your current account are here: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/chpf/about?ie=UTF8&ref_=smi_ge_sr_learn_raas , and you can select Enfield Town FC Community Sports Development Ltd from a drop-down menu.

As soon as anything firm is agreed around what we all want to see – Town teams back out on the pitch – there will be announcements for members and other supporters about logistics. Following the success of the Zoom link with members in May, a date for a follow up event will be announced at an optimum time.

Thanks once again for your undiminished support and understanding and, as ever, a particular thank you to those of you who are continuing to perform background tasks to keep the club going in our current situation until such time as matches and other events can begin.

Although the club’s floodlight appeal timeframe has passed, supporters can still donate to help the club through these exceptionally difficult times, preferably via a BACS transfer to: ETFC Ltd, Barclays Bank, Sort Code 20-45-45, Account Number 43222942. Please mark any transfer with your name and the word ‘donation’. Memberships and season tickets are of course already available – please see: https://etfc.london/calling-all-town-supporters

Take care everyone, and I’ll be in touch as soon as there are any further updates.

Paul Reed

Chairman

* since the Chairman’s update, the constitution of the Isthmian League Premier Division has been announced as unchanged for 2020-21. For full national league system alloactions see https://www.isthmian.co.uk/national-league-system-allocations-2020-21-62746